IllustrationAIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON, TECHNICIAN SAYS CODE REFERS TO SHORT IN STEERING COLUMN. DASH LIGHT REMAINS ON
2003 Saturn L200
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Other model years Selected year
Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
220–25K
2025–50K
3150–75K
2375–100K
15100–150K
7150K+
118 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports7 fire reports8 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
8 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHY THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER SHE CLOSED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
SOMETIMES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTHING WORKED. THE DEFR…
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SOMETIMES WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME STARTING THE CAR OR THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK,THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON. WHEN THESE LIGHTS WERE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DID NOT WORK. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCK LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN NOTHING WORKED. THE DEFROST FRONT AND REAR, A/C, HEATING CONTROL, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT LIT UP, SEAT BELT LIGHT LIT UP AND THE SELF LOCKING FOR THE DOORS DID NOT ENGAGE WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR LATER, THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD COME ON ALL BY THEMSELVES, SOMETIMES DRAINING THE BATTERY IF I DID NOT NOTICE THIS. I FELT TOTALLY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN - I HAD NO SAFETY FEATURES TO RELY ON AND I DID NOT EVEN KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE A CAR THAT WOULD RUN. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER AND HAD THE BCM (BODY CONTROL MODULE) REPLACED. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT SATURN IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND I HAVE ASKED OTHERS THAT OWN SIMILAR SATURNS ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS WAS QUITE COSTLY TO REPLACE APPROXIMATELY $600.00 (THE CHEAPEST AROUND). OTHERS PAID MORE FOR THIS REPAIR THAN I DID. *TR
DURING AN ACCIDENT MY WIFE WAS INJURED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY THE ONCOMING DRIVER. THE VEHICLE 2003 SATURN L-SERIES AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN THE CAR STRUCK HER. SHE SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY WHEN HER HEAD STRUCK THE STIRRING WHEEL. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WITH MINOR DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INSPECTED TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL WITH MINOR DAMAGE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED IT WAS TOTALED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 40 MPH A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE CONTACT'S BACK AND RIGHT ARM.…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AT 40 MPH A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED TO THE CONTACT'S BACK AND RIGHT ARM. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK
MY 2003 SATURN L200 WAS STRUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND NEITHER THE SIDE CURTAIN NOR FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ALL. THE IMPACT WAS SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CAR TO BE DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS UPON IMPACT. *JB
Official recalls
405V245000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
Jun 2, 2005
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
05V158000 · Seat Belts
Apr 20, 2005
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
03V231000 · Electrical System:ignition:module
Jun 23, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
02V283000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Oct 29, 2002
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE06006 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Jan 24, 2006 · Closed Jun 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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 CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY CLAIM DATA THAT SHOWED 1,902 SUBJECT VEHICLES RECEIVING TIMING CHAIN REPAIRS, INCLUDING 261 WHICH INDICATED THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE.THE GM COMPLAINTS, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT DID NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THAT A STALL WHILE DRIVING OCCURRED WERE PROVIDED IN THE CATEGORY OTHER.GM STATED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS PROBABLY OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN IS MORE LIKELY TO BREAK DURING HIGH CHAIN LOAD SITUATIONS, SUCH AS ENGINE STARTUP.GM'S DATA SHOWED ELEVATED FAILURE RATES IN APPROXIMATELY 20,500 MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES PRODUCED DURING A FOUR MONTH PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001.OVER ONE-THIRD OF GM'S TOTAL COMPLAINTS AND FIELD REPORTS (34.3%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (38.2%) INVOLVED L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, WHICH ARE ONLY ABOUT 5% OF SUBJECT VEHICLE PRODUCTION.THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RATE IN THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS RANGE IS OVER 10 TIMES GREATER THAN THE REMAINING SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE 4-MONTH PERIOD, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE FOR REPAIRS INVOLVING STALL WHILE DRIVING IS SLIGHTLY UNDER ONE PERCENT.HOWEVER, IF THE INCIDENTS CODED AS OTHER ARE ADDED, THE 36-MONTH FAILURE RATE RISES TO NEARLY FIVE PERCENT FOR THOSE VEHICLES.ODI AND GM ARE CONTINUING TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS CODED BY GM AS OTHER THAT INVOLVE INCIDENTS OF STALL WHILE DRIVING.GM'S STATISTICAL MODELING OF THE FAILURE DATA INITIALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE RATES WERE DECLINING WITH AGE AND MILEAGE FOR ANY SET OF WARRANTY DATA ANALYZED (E.G., STALL WHILE DRIVING, OTHER OR COMBINED).HOWEVER, SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE FAILURE RATES ARE INCREASING. BASED ON THE HIGH COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY RATES FOR TIMING CHAIN FAILURE IN THE 4-MONTH PRODUCTION PERIOD FOR THE MY 2001 L-SERIES VEHICLES, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY OF STALL INCIDENTS DUE TO TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN THOSE VEHICLES (EA06-009).
DP05008 · Timing Chain Failure
Opened Dec 20, 2005 · Closed Feb 6, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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 ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REFER TO PE06-006.