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2000 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

59 reports with mileage · 89 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

148 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVER OR NEUTRAL, RPMS REV UP AND STICK. POTENTIAL HAZARD. SATURN SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOUND NOTHING. 45 MINUTES AFTER I HAD IT CHECKED I RETURNED TO SATURN AND SPOKE WITH TECH AND CAR PRESENTED WITH PROBLEM. HE CHANGED WHAT HE CALLED A "HEAT/COOL SENSOR" AND PROBLEM SUBSIDED FOR 3 DAYS. NOW PROBL…

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WHEN CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVER OR NEUTRAL, RPMS REV UP AND STICK. POTENTIAL HAZARD. SATURN SAID THEIR DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE FOUND NOTHING. 45 MINUTES AFTER I HAD IT CHECKED I RETURNED TO SATURN AND SPOKE WITH TECH AND CAR PRESENTED WITH PROBLEM. HE CHANGED WHAT HE CALLED A "HEAT/COOL SENSOR" AND PROBLEM SUBSIDED FOR 3 DAYS. NOW PROBLEM PRESENTS AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756773

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEGINNING AT 6,000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED. ON THE LAST TRIP TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS OPERATOR USE AND THAT WOMEN ARE HARDER DRIVERS ON CARS THAN MEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEGINNING AT 6,000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ON 8 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE FIXED. ON THE LAST TRIP TO THE SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS OPERATOR USE AND THAT WOMEN ARE HARDER DRIVERS ON CARS THAN MEN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY ONLY MADE $600 ON THE VEHICLE, THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PUT ANY MORE MONEY INTO FIXING IT. MY CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME. I WOULD LIKE IT REPAIRED OR RELACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756275

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED TWICE AND THE ROTORS RESURFACED 8 TIMES. ALL OF THIS WITHIN 1.5 YEARS. MY TRUCK IS A 1996 AND I HAVE ONLY CHANGED THE ROTORS ONCE. I HAUL AND TOW THINGS WITH MY TRUCK ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY IT IS OPERATOR USE ON MY CAR. EXPLAIN THIS ONE TO ME PLEASE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756150

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Interior LightingPower TrainSteering

INTERIOR OVERHEAD SAGGING ABOVE DOME LIGHT, TRIED TO HAVE DEALER FIX (SAME CONDITION AFTER "REPAIR"). TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. ASH TRAY LIGHT FAILED 3 TIMES, DEALER REPLACED. VENTILATION BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED - ALL OTHER SPEEDS BURNED OUT OVER 2 WEEKS (COULD SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING). REMOTE …

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INTERIOR OVERHEAD SAGGING ABOVE DOME LIGHT, TRIED TO HAVE DEALER FIX (SAME CONDITION AFTER "REPAIR"). TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. ASH TRAY LIGHT FAILED 3 TIMES, DEALER REPLACED. VENTILATION BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED - ALL OTHER SPEEDS BURNED OUT OVER 2 WEEKS (COULD SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING). REMOTE CONTROL WORKS HALF OF THE TIME, NO IMPROVEMENT AFTER DEALER REPLACED BATTERIES, SAYING "WHITE FILM" WAS A KNOWN CAUSE OF REMOTES NOT WORKING. CHANGE OIL LIGHT CAME ON 1000MILES AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE, COINCIDING WITH FAN BLOWER BURNING OUT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES BECAUSE OF IRREGULAR WEARING ON REAR AND PREMATURE ALIGNMENT DRIFT ON THE FRONT. BRAKE DUST IS EXCESSIVE - FRONT RIMS ALWAYS COATED BLACK FROM DUST. SOME HESITATION WHEN AUTOMATIC IS SHIFTING GEARS. OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED AFTER 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF "SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT" COMING ON WHILE ACCELERATING. ADDING 1LITER ENGINE COOLANT PER MONTH - NO LEAKS NOTED UNDER VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754463

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Power Train

FAILURE OF REVERSE AND 2ND GEAR CONSISTENT WITH SB612478, DATED 4/2000. 2ND GEAR FADED EFFECTIVENESS OVER TIME, WHILE REVERSE GEAR DISAPPEARED SUDDENLY ON 11/1/01. EXAMINATION BY MECHANIC FOUND THE GEAR RING FOR REVERSE (WHICH ALSO HOLDS 2ND GEAR) HAD DISINTEGRATED SPRAYING DEBRIS THROUGHT THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION. MANUFAC…

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FAILURE OF REVERSE AND 2ND GEAR CONSISTENT WITH SB612478, DATED 4/2000. 2ND GEAR FADED EFFECTIVENESS OVER TIME, WHILE REVERSE GEAR DISAPPEARED SUDDENLY ON 11/1/01. EXAMINATION BY MECHANIC FOUND THE GEAR RING FOR REVERSE (WHICH ALSO HOLDS 2ND GEAR) HAD DISINTEGRATED SPRAYING DEBRIS THROUGHT THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF DEFECT WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED BY DEALER SUBSEQUENT TO THE 4/00 BULLETIN. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT PRESENTED BY SATURN TO THE CUSTOMER, AND SATURN HAS TRIED TO CLAIM THE SERVICE BULLETIN MEANS NOTHING. DEALER/SATURN CORPORATE REQUIRE EXAMINTION BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE (DEALER) PRIOR TO REMEDY, YET THEY WILL NOT DO IT WITHOUT REQUIRING LABOR BE PAID UPFRONT. I PURCHASED A 2ND SATURN IN JUNE 2001, A 2001 L200, THAT IS ALSO HAVING 2ND GEAR DIFFICULTY AT ONLY 9000 MILES. MY TRUST IN SATURN IS IN SHAMBLES -- I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND HALF SINCE THIS BULLETIN UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, ONLY TO LEARN THAT INFORMATION HAD BEEN HIDDEN RELATING TO MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED MY SECOND SATURN BASED ON THIS FALSE TRUST, AND I FEEL CHEATED. I EXPECT SATURN TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, PROMTLY AND AT THEIR COST.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754158

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2001
Wheels

ARE THE FRONT WHEELS ON THIS ALIGNABLE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #753741

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2001
TiresInjury

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, CONSUMER THOUGHT SHE HEARD THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOWOUT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROLLOVER, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P185/65R15, 2 INJURIES IN ACCIDENT, CLAIM 75-A352-313. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900333

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2001
TiresInjury

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, CONSUMER THOUGHT SHE HEARD THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLOWOUT, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROLLOVER, FIRESTONE AFFINITY, P185/65R15, 2 INJURIES IN ACCIDENT, CLAIM 75-A352-313. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #6900309

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2001
Electrical SystemSteering

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. NLM

NHTSA ODI #785498

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKES THERE WAS VIBRATION IN FRONT END AND REAR OF VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #892758

Official recalls

7

00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 12, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

00V310000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Oct 12, 2000

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy: 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.

99V297000 · Structure:body

Oct 27, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.

99V280000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Oct 20, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

99V231000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

Aug 24, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.

99V230000 · Unknown Or Other

Aug 23, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.

99V232000 · Structure:body:bumpers

Aug 23, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.