KnownCarProblems2000 Saturn SL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Saturn SL, most often about the engine (24% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is the most complained-about SL model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2000 Saturn SL problems
Engine
36 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Had to replace transmission casing had a bad leak wiring harness from ignition caught on fire putting me and my families life at risk rattles real bad in rear portion of car heater quit working
When checking the color of my oil, the dip stick was found 3 times bone dry. No oil light indicator would come on and finally one time it was too late. On christmas eve my engine blew due to heat and lack of oil. I would lose 5 quarts before my 3000 mile oil change. I had to buy a used engine and have it installed by…
Transmission
35 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly.
My Saturn clutch/transmission just locked up and does not function. I was left on the side of the road with my three small children. My car only has 52,000 miles on it. This problem should not be occuring with this milage.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Saturn sl2. While attempting to shift gears at 10 MPH, the gears became stuck and could not shift into neutral. The failure nearly caused a crash. The dealer stated that a new transmission was needed; however, the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v310000 (power train:automatic…
Electrical
26 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 24,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
Important, I do not know the dates so I had to just put in a random one. This car turned itself off on 3 occasions. I brought it to Saturn on all the incidents. I would be driving and start to break and downshift and the car would literally just turn off, and I was literally at the cars mercy till it would turn back…
My 2000 Saturn sl2 is becoming increasingly difficult to start. When the key is inserted into the ignition it refuses to turn to the "start" position without extensive jiggling of the key. This problem surfaced four years ago and was "fixed" by the dealership. The problem has since returned and is worse than ever.…
Brakes
15 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
Rotors needed to be turned at about 25000 miles due to vibration when stopping, this was done under warranty, I was told they would only due it once. The car now has 62000 miles on it and it has the original pads, they are do not need to be replaced due to wear. But the rotors need to be turned again, looking at other…
I was traveling on the freeway at 75 MPH (speed limit.) the truck in front of me hit the brakes. I applied my brakes as I should have had enough distance to slow down enough. My brakes locked-up and I slid into the pick-up truck in front of me at about 65 MPH. The seat belts worked, but the air bags did not deploy. My…
Wheels and tires
14 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: rim, sidewall.
Steering
10 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion, linkages, gear box (other than rack and pinion).
While driving at 55 MPH, consumer felt the front wheels locking up. Consumer had vehicle service by the dealership who indicated that the pin in the transmission broke in two. This resulted in the bolt coming loss and busting casing around the transmission. Please provide more details. Ts
Had to replace transmission casing had a bad leak wiring harness from ignition caught on fire putting me and my families life at risk rattles real bad in rear portion of car heater quit working
Suspension
7 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front.
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 5%Had to replace transmission casing had a bad leak wiring harness from ignition caught on fire putting me and my families life at risk rattles real bad in rear portion of car heater quit working
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 SL recalls
Transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: tank assembly
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: anchorage
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: foundation components
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Other: unknown or other
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: bumpers
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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Questions about the 2000 Saturn SL
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (36 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); transmission (35 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); electrical (26 complaints, typically around 24,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn SL have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 12, 2000 (transmission). 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 SL?
- It is the most complained-about SL model year since 2000, with 148 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.