KnownCarProblems2000 Saturn LS Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 382 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Saturn LS, most often about the engine (39% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about LS model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2000 Saturn LS problems
Engine
150 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2000 Saturn ls1's timing chain broke with no warning and as a result, valves in the engine were bent. My mechanic is in the process of placing a used motor in the car. I recently went online to see if other Saturn owners were having similar problems. I was amazed to find that this is a continual problem with…
My car was paid off in may 2007 and the timing chain broke in november 2007. I brought it into the dealer about a year ago with poor fuel economy, rough idle in the morning, oxygen sensor failure and random cylinder misfire. The dealer could not isolate the problem. They pressurized the fuel system to check for leaks.…
Lights
63 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, tail lights, turn signal, headlights.
While driving power steering pump failed, making it hard for the consumer to turn the steering wheel. Problems with brake lights intermittenly failing. When the headlights are on all three brake lights won't work. Brake light failure almost caused an accident and had me pulled over by a police officer. The mechanic…
Tail light assembly has 2 parts, the light bulb holder, and the socket in which it is screwed into. After a period of time the metal piece that is screwed into the socket becomes loose and arc. When this occurs it severs the flow of electricity to the tail light. This renders the tail light inoperative. Also, this…
Electrical
63 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Dt: the contact owns a 2000 Saturn ls1. The contact states that the electrical components on the driver's side of the vehicle do not work. The windows, the horn, and brakes lights are not working. The brake light problem has been happening for years, but the window, horn, speaker, driver side turn signal, and the dash…
Currently the blower motor for the heater/defroster is not working. I have had many many problems with this car, inparticular with the brakes and steering. The rack and pinion was repaired twice. I have had brakes replaced twice, and recently the brake drums, rotators and pads. I have had the power steering pump…
Steering
35 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, hydraulic power assist system, rack and pinion, linkages.
The power steering fails after about 5 mins of operation. The dealer said it was an "unspecified failure of the steering rack", and that it would cost $1500 to replace. This has been going on since spring of 05. I contacted Saturn corporate directly, but they refused to help with the problem.
While driving power steering pump failed, making it hard for the consumer to turn the steering wheel. Problems with brake lights intermittenly failing. When the headlights are on all three brake lights won't work. Brake light failure almost caused an accident and had me pulled over by a police officer. The mechanic…
Body and structure
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2000 Saturn lw1. The contact stated that the vehicle was being inspected when the contact was advised that rear frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 105,063.
When I went to get new tires for this car I was told there was a problem with my frame and should go right to a dealership. I contacted Saturn and they authorized it for me to go to my nearest dealership, at the dealers convenience and my expense for a review of the problem. I made the appointment but in the mean time…
Suspension
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 98,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Driving down the road the vehicle started making noise and steering was uncontrollable. I trailered the vehicle back home. Closer inspection revealed the front subframe/engine cradle was completely rusted through in multiple spots, very dangerous!!! I contacted the dealer to get a new subframe and I was advised the…
This happened very suddenly. I applied the brake to enter the ramp to the highway and the car pulled to the left and made a noise. I thought it may be a bearing or brake problem but I had not had any issues before that so I went on since it seamed to be driving ok. While I was on the interstate I went to go into the…
Transmission
25 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission, driveline.
The master clutch cylinder (actuator) on my 2000 Saturn LS manual transmission leaked internally permaturely causing a difficulty and sometimes inability to change gears. The car has 57,000 miles on it and Saturn refused to fix the problem at their cost.
I have a 2000 Saturn ls2. I was approaching a red light. I downshifted from 3rd to 2nd without incident. When I tried to shift down to 1st, I heard a pop and the gear shift lever was completely disconnected to the linkage. This was very disconcerting. When I called the mechanic and told them what happened the first…
Brakes
25 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, disc.
Currently the blower motor for the heater/defroster is not working. I have had many many problems with this car, inparticular with the brakes and steering. The rack and pinion was repaired twice. I have had brakes replaced twice, and recently the brake drums, rotators and pads. I have had the power steering pump…
Dt: consumer took vehicle to dealer for service. Dealer done a safety check on vehicle and told consumer that front brake pads were 30 percent left, and front rotors below specs. Consumer declined to have front brake job done because dealer wanted about $300 to do work. He could do it for much less. Consumer's concern…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2000 Saturn LS recalls
Lights: brake lights
Risk: This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
On certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.
Electrical: module
Risk: Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will (1) replace the ignition control module, (2) replace the ignition control module and spark plugs, or (3) replace the ignition control module, spark plugs, and update the powertrain control module calibration. Owner notification began on august 4, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2l l4 (l61) engines, a failure of the ignition control module may cause deterioration in idle quality, reduction in overall engine power, and the vehicle may be hard to start. Continued operation of the vehicle after such an ignition module failure will result in the "service engine soon" light flashing, and may lead to secondary failures of the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and exhaust resonator.
Seat belts
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Fuel system: storage
Risk: If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
Fix: Dealers will permanently seal the outlet port of the opr valve.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Fuel tank assemblies in these vehicles have an over pressure relief (opr) valve that can become stuck open in a frontal collision. If the vehicle rolls over, fuel spillage could occur.
Lights: switch
Risk: Other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch assembly.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." because of a problem in the hazard warning switch assembly, the turn signal lamps may not work or may work intermittently when the driver uses the turn signal lever or hazard warning switch. If the vehicle turn signal indicators are not flashing, then the turn signal lamps may not be flashing.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: If a vehicle with an inoperative valve were involved in a rollover, fuel spillage could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure that the fuel tank assembly valve is operating as intended. They will replace the fuel tank assembly if necessary.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles may have been produced with an inoperative valve within the fuel tank assembly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Timing chain breaks, engine stall
Summary
On may 22, 2008, theoffice of defects investigation (odi) was petitioned by the north carolina consumers council (nccc) to broaden the scope of safety recall 07v-519, which was conducted by general motors corporation (gm) for model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with the l61 2.2l engine and built during a 4-month period from november 2000 through february 2001 (dp08-002). On october 16, 2008, odi granted dp08-002 and opened pe08-061 to investigate timing chain failures resulting in engine stall while driving (swd) in the saturn l-series vehicles equipped with l61 engines and that used the same design timing chain and timing chain lubrication system as the recalled vehicles.
Timing chain failure-stall
Summary
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
Timing chain failure
Summary
On december 12, 2005, odi received a defect petition (dp05-008) requesting the investigation of timing chain failures that could cause stalling in saturn vehicles equipped with the 2.2l (l61) engine. Odi opened pe06-006 on january 24, 2006, with 24 vehicle owner complaints that alleged a broken timing chain caused the vehicle to stop operating.on april 12, 2006, odi received information from general motors (gm) concerning timing chain failures in approximately 412,000 model year (my) 2000 through 2003 saturn l-series and ion vehicles with 2.2l engines. Gm's response included 1,020 owner complaints and field reports concerning timing chain failure, including 228 that alleged the failure cause
Timing chain failure
Summary
Analysis undertaken in response to the petition identified 26 complaints alleging timing chain failures in my 2000-2003 saturn l-series vehicle equipped with the 2.2l l4 engine.most complaints of timing chain failure reportedly resulted in a sudden loss of engine power and stalling.odi also noted that certain my 2002-2003 saturn vue and my 2003 saturn ion model vehicles with the 2.2l engine vehiclescovered by a technical service bulletin (03-06-01-017) that addressed timing chain design and service procedure changes, exhibited no complaints of timing chain failure.odi will grant the petition and open a preliminary evaluation to assess the frequency, trend, scope and safety consequences assoc
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
General motors has decided that a safety related defect exists on certain model saturn sedans and wagons.the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time.this can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake or tail lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp).gm will conduct a safety recall on an expanded scope of saturn vehicles to install a reinforcing socket adapter (and corresponding nw socket) to the back of the existing lamp assembly.general motors will recall 291,652 my 2000-2002 saturn ls sedans and my 2000-2004 saturn lw
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
On january 25, 2005, a safety defect petition was received by the office of defects investigation (odi), requesting an investigation of inoperative tail lamps on my 2000-2002 saturn l-series vehicles.the petitioner alleges a defect in the design and assembly of the tail lamp assembly circuit board and light socket contact.the petitioner identified 47 vehicle owner questionnaire's (voq's) associated with the alleged defect, and odi concurs that 40 of those voq's satisfy the scope of this investigation.odi has found an additional 10 voq's related to the allegation.odi has granted the petition and opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-010).
Post-collision fuel system integrity
Summary
Allege that the fuel tank over-pressure relief (opr) valve may leak fuel in excess of fmvss 301 allowances in a crash
Questions about the 2000 Saturn LS
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn LS?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (150 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); lights (63 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); electrical (63 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn LS have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 2, 2005 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2000 a bad year for the Saturn LS?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about LS model year since 2000, with 382 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.