2000 Saturn Saturn L Series recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Electrical system

  FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO FLUID FROM THE AC CONDENSER LINE HAS BEEN FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AC IS ON. AS MUCH AS A HALF INCH OF LIQUID HAS POURED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE BRIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMING ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR IS ON AND WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED, DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE THERE HAS BEEN A SULFUR LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STALLING AS WELL. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE FOR THE BRIGHTS IS THE IGNITION CONTROL SWITCH. SATURN HAS TOLD ME THAT THESE RECALLS ARE NOW CLOSED. MY SATURN CASE NUMBER IS 71-777062859. *TR

  Oct 17, 2009
• Structure › Frame and members

  DEALERSHIP REVIEW OF CAR DURING OIL MAINTENANCE INDICATED DETERIORATION OF CRADLE ASSEMBLY - REPAIR COST $1153 - WIFE COMPLAINED OF NOISE IN FRONT END - REVIEWED WITH TEST DRIVE AND CAR DROVE STRAIGHT BUT DIPPED RIGHT AT BRAKING AND DIPPED LEFT AT ACCELERATION - VISUAL INSPECTION SHOWED COMPLETE RUST OUT OF CRADLE AT FRONT CONNECTION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM OF FRONT WHEEL - INSUFFICIENT METAL REMAINED FOR EVEN MINIMAL SUPPORT - BRACKET COULD BE MOVED BY HAND. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED CAUSE TO BE LOCATION OF EXHAUST SYSTEM PARALLEL TO AND TOO CLOSE TO CRADLE CAUSING CONTINUOUS HEATING OF CRADLE ACCELERATING THE DETERIORATION OF THE STEEL CRADLE. EXHAUST LOCATION AND CRADLE EXIST IN FACTORY…

  Feb 5, 2009 · 80,000 miles
• Electrical systemFire

  I HAVE A 2000 SATURN IT CAUGHT FIRE TWICE FROM THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. *TR

  Sep 5, 2008 · 82 miles
• Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  NO-WARNING TIMING CHAIN FAILURE ON 2000 SATURN WITH 4CYL 2.2 LITER ENGINE. THIS SATURN HAS VIN NUMBER: VIN AND IS OUTSIDE THE PREVIOUS RECALL RANGE. THE CAR AS 80,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WITHOUT WARNING DRIVING ON A DIVIDED LANE HIGHWAY AT CONSTANT 55 MPH SPEED IN ROCKTON ILLINOIS IN GOOD WEATHER. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RESULTED REQUIRING NEW HEAD AND OTHER MAJOR PARTS. REFERENCE ONGOING INVESTIGATION NUMBER NHTSA DP08002. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. THIS NO-WARNING FAILURE COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN SUB ZERO WEATHER IN THE COUNTRY NEAR MY HOME IN WINTER. THIS FAILURE MEANS NO HEAT IN THE CAR FROM THE ENGINE. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY AND DEATH. I URGE…

  Jul 9, 2008 · 80 miles
• Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MILES PER HOUR I MY ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF A PROBLEM, I WAS JUST ABOUT RAN OFF THE OVERPASS I WAS CROSSING BY A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. AFTER TAKING MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND HE WOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT TO MAKE REPAIRS AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON CALLING THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IN ORDER TO FIX IT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY ~$1200 JUST TO REPAIR THE TIMING CHAIN AND THE CHANCES OF FINDING MORE DAMAGE INSIDE THE ENGINE DUE TO THIS…

  Apr 16, 2006 · 100,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALLClosed

  ON JUNE 6, 2006, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 20,514 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L ENGINES (L61) BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (EA06-009).THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THOSE MONTHS EXHIBITED HIGHER FAILURE RATES THAN SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER.GM INTRODUCED A NEW TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IN PRODUCTION IN MAY 2002.ODI CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION AFTER GM INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (RECALL 07V-519). ON MAY 22, 2008, THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO ODI REQUESTING THE EXPANSION OF RECALL 07V-519 TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES USING THE SAME TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AS THE RECALLED POPULATION.THE PETITION STATES THAT THE NCCC…

  DP08002 · opened Jun 18, 2008 · closed Oct 16, 2008