Model year record

2000 Saturn SL recalls & problems

The 2000 Saturn SL has 8 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (36 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints148filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths10 · 2reported in complaints

2000 Saturn SL in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 12, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V3090006,092 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Power trainOct 12, 2000

Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 00V31000065,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Fix: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

StructureOct 27, 1999

Body

Recall 99V2970007,505 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.

Seat beltsOct 20, 1999

Front › Anchorage

Recall 99V280000265,698 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

Service brakes, hydraulicAug 24, 1999

Foundation components

Recall 99V2310005,373 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PIPE ATTACHMENT NUTS THAT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.

Unknown or otherAug 23, 1999

Unknown or other

Recall 99V2300002,692 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN QUALITY STANDARDS.
Risk: A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.

StructureAug 23, 1999

Body › Bumpers

Recall 99V2320001,592 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.
Risk: IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING, THE REAR BUMPER MAY NOT ABSORB ENERGY AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.

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.

Crash test ratings

2000 Saturn SL 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

SL

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	36	0	2	1	60,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	36	0	1	0	56,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch	30	0	0	0	24,450 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	14	2	1	1	—
TiresSidewall	12	1	0	5	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Rack and pinion	11	0	1	0	74,284 mi
SuspensionFront	7	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield	7	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body	6	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	6	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	6	1	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Headlights	6	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash3 injuries
HIT MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND CAR ROLLED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR TIRE AND DRUM BROKE OFF CAR WHILE DOING 50 MILE PER HOUR
Mar 14, 2018 · 120,000 miles
Service brakes
THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT BULB IT IS NOT BURNT OUT. ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OVER BY QUALIFIED SALESPERSON WHO HAD SHOWN ME THAT MY THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS STILL WORKING, AND YET MY BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND WORRY CONSTANTLY THAT I WILL BE STOPPED DURING THE DAY, AS I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS ONE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I READ SOMEWHERE ON A SATURN FORUM THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OVER THIS ISSUE, BUT I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE.
Jun 9, 2016
Engine
THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. THE ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US WE'RE LOOKING AT A $1000 PLUS REPAIR. *TR
Nov 7, 2014 · 150,000 miles
Electrical system
SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVEN START THE CAR AS THE SWITCH WOULD BE FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER SOME PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD WORK. THEN THERE WERE TIMES YOU COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WE TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. NOW THE KEY HAS TO BE LEFT IN AT ALL TIMES, YOU CAN'T REMOVE IT AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH ALL THE RECALLS REGARDING THE IGNITION IN THESE VEHICLES. NOT TO MENTION A PERSONAL CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE EASILY STOLEN WITH A VISIBLE KEY IN THE SWITCH. *TR
Nov 21, 2011
Electrical system
I TURNED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST QUIT WORKING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND AGAIN WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN INTO ANOTHER PARK LOT,ALL ON THE SAME DAY IN LESS THAN 1 1/2 HOURS TOTAL TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY OVER THE LAST ABOUT SEVEN YEARS. I WAS TOLD WHEN I FIRST HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION HOUSING COMING LOOSE, NOT TO PUT ANY OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY RING, AND I ONLY HAVE THE CAR KEY ON THE CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED TWICE, AND THIS MAY BE THE THIRD TIME, ON THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL IN THE IGNITION THAT PROBABLY CAUSED THE…
Sep 21, 2014 · 110,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
CAR WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN.EACH TIME YOU TURN THE KEY,IT WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. AS IF THERE IS NO GAS GOING TO THE FUEL INJECTORS; OR THE FUEL INJECTORS STOP . NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM SINCE IT NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I'M AT THE REPAIR SHOP. LIKE I SAID WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS, IT WILL LAST FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN. THEN THE CAR WILL START AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. *TR
Mar 12, 2013
Power train
ROLL PIN ON RETAINER IN TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL SHEERED OFF CAUSING THE RETAINING PIN TO WEAR THROUGH THE BELL HOUSING AND SEIZE TRANSMISSION. A ROLL PIN IS LIKE USING A RIVET TO HOLD A VERY IMPORTANT MECHANICAL COMPONENT TOGETHER. THIS IS ANOTHER HORRIBLE GM DESIGN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. $2300 LATER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Aug 20, 2014 · 96,000 miles
Electrical system
KEY FALLS OUT OF IGNITION WHILE DRIVING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH ALL OF THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A DANGER AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! STEP UP GM AND FIX THE COST CUTTING CORNERS YOU CUT AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS AT RISK! *TR
Aug 20, 2014 · 96,000 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.