SATURN SL · model year

2000 SATURN SL

202 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000SATURNSL carries 202 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 SL is power train:automatic transmission with 22 filings, followed by tires (11) and engine and engine cooling (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2000 SL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

202
Complaints
12
Crashes
6
Fires
14
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

202 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22
TIRES11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
POWER TRAIN6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SUSPENSION4
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS4

Recalls (8)

99V29700027/10/1999

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

99V23100024/08/1999

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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.

99V23200023/08/1999

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

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.

99V23000023/08/1999

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

99V28000020/10/1999

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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, MAKI

00V31000012/10/2000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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 POSSIBL

00V30900012/10/2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20180713CrashFatalAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 120,000

20180713CrashFatalWHEELS

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

Mileage: 120,000

20160618SERVICE 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.

20141205ENGINE

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

Mileage: 150,000

20141027ELECTRICAL 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

20140923ELECTRICAL 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 PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE BELTWAY INSTEAD OF THE STREET, OR WHILE I WAS DRIVING (WHICH IT DID,BUT THE STREET WAS EMPTY) INSTEAD OF STOPPED. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20140915FUEL/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

20140912ELECTRICAL 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

Mileage: 96,000

20140912ENGINE

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

Mileage: 96,000

20140912POWER 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

Mileage: 96,000

20140905POWER TRAIN

JUST WANTING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STILL, I CAN MOVE THE SHIFT FROM D TO N WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE SHIFTER. SAME CAN BE SAID FROM N TO R. I'VE NEVER TRIED IT WHEN IT'S MOVING, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, I CAN PUSH IT FROM D TO R. THAT WOULD BE QUITE INTERESTING TO TRY IF IT WERE SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *TR

Mileage: 44,500

20140905ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20140905STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20140703ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

20140703ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

Mileage: 141,000

20140626STEERING

HAD A FEW MONTHS, HOT SUMMER AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. MANUAL THAT CAME WITH CAR SAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AND IF IT DID TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE SHIFT, ETC. WOULD NOT HAVE THIS TROUBLE EXCEPT IN HOT WEATHER. ON OCT 29, 2010 I HAD LOCK CYLINDER & KEYS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALERSHIP. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN (6/26/2014) WITH ONLY 44,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. ONLY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS A NEWER SATURN AND TO A SATURN OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HATE TO HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $310 AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20140626ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HAD A FEW MONTHS, HOT SUMMER AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. MANUAL THAT CAME WITH CAR SAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AND IF IT DID TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE SHIFT, ETC. WOULD NOT HAVE THIS TROUBLE EXCEPT IN HOT WEATHER. ON OCT 29, 2010 I HAD LOCK CYLINDER & KEYS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALERSHIP. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN (6/26/2014) WITH ONLY 44,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. ONLY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS A NEWER SATURN AND TO A SATURN OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HATE TO HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $310 AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 1,000

20140401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 ON. AS A FORMER DRIVERS ED INSTRUCTOR, I AM JUST LUCKY I REMAINED CALM. AT SATURN THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. I DEMANDED IT DID, AND THE ONE TIME EVEN LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM FOR A WEEK. I SEEN THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT THAT THEY ARE ONLY RECALLING TILL THE 2003'S. I AM THEREFORE COMPELLED TO MAKE SURE IT IS KNOWN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AS FAR BACK AS THE 2000 MODELS. I ALSO AM WILLING TO TESTIFY IF NEED BE BECAUSE I WAS SO UPSET. I HAD NO IDEA BACK THEN HOW TO HANDLE IT, SO I LET IT GO. HOWEVER, NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SO I AM FILING IN HOPES THIS HELPS PEOPLE BE SAFE. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG AGO, BUT I BELIEVE THE R

Mileage: 20,000

20140313ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I INSERTED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN; THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED; HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. HAPPENED AGAIN 4-3-08 AND HAD ANOTHER NEW KEY CYLINDER INSTALLED, ODOMETER THEN 35449. IT STILL FEELS "STICKY" WHEN I TURN THE KEY AND FEELS LIKE IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOW I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK SOMEWHERE WITH A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. I'M REPORTING THIS NOW BECAUSE OF THE RECENT IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH THE SATURNS. *TR

Mileage: 2,867

20110601STRUCTURE:BODY

REAR DOOR LATCHES DO NOT ALWAYS LATCH AFTER CLOSING REAR DOORS (SL2-4 DOOR SEDAN). EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WILL STICK IN OPEN POSITION. IF NOT NOTICED, DOORS WILL OPEN WHEN DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN BRAKING OR MAKING A TURN. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS OR ITEMS COULD BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE OR DOORS COULD STRIKE OTHER VEHICLES.

Mileage: 198,000

Compare 2000SATURNSL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 SATURN SL have?
The 2000 SATURN SL has 202 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 SATURN SL?
Yes, the 2000 SATURN SL has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 SATURN SL?
The most-complained component for the 2000 SATURN SL is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2000 SATURN SL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.