IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
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
Steering complaints
11 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FIVE TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000. MA 10/19/2015 UPDATED 11/28/2017*CN
SMOKE IS INTERMITTENTLY COMING OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO SMOKE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO SMOKE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,274.
MY IGNITION SWITCH FROZE WHILE WE WERE IN LINE WAITING FOR THE FERRY. WE COULD NOT START OUR CAR, OR GET IT OUT OF PARK, OR TURN THE WHEEL, OR CLOSE THE WINDOWS. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED OFF THE ISLAND TO THE NEAREST DEALER ($423.76). WE TALKED WITH SATURN'S IGNITION HOTLINE AND WERE TOLD OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AL…
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MY IGNITION SWITCH FROZE WHILE WE WERE IN LINE WAITING FOR THE FERRY. WE COULD NOT START OUR CAR, OR GET IT OUT OF PARK, OR TURN THE WHEEL, OR CLOSE THE WINDOWS. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED OFF THE ISLAND TO THE NEAREST DEALER ($423.76). WE TALKED WITH SATURN'S IGNITION HOTLINE AND WERE TOLD OUR CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THE SWITCH AND ITS FAILURE APPEAR TO BE THE SAME AS RECALLED VEHICLES. WE PAID $735.80 TO GET A NEW SWITCH INSTALLED (LOSING USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS WHILE THE WORK WAS DONE). DURING THE TIME THE SATURN WAS WAITING FOR REPAIRS ON THE DEALER'S LOT, IT RAINED HARD AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS SOAKED. I HAD REQUESTED THAT THE WINDOWS (FROZEN OPEN) BE SECURED AND HAD BEEN ASSURED THEY WOULD BE DEALT WITH. THE SEAT AND FLOOR MATS WERE SOAKED. THE SEAT CONTROL ELECTRONICS SHORTED OUT AND MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WE'LL ALSO HAVE TO HAVE THE DOOR PANELS PULLED TO SEE IF THERE IS HIDDEN DAMAGE INSIDE THE DOORS. WE WOULD LIKE OUR COSTS REIMBURSED. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, WE WOULD LIKE THE RECALL EXTENDED TO OUR MODEL AND ANY OTHER GM CARS WITH THIS DEFECT. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE OUR SWITCH FAILED WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED IN A SAFE PLACE! OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN AS FORTUNATE. *TR
CAR IGNITION DOES NOT WANT TO TURN TO "OFF" WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK, REFUSES TO RELEASE KEY UNTIL WE PRY IT OUT OR MOVE STEERING WHEEL INTO LOCKED POSITION. HAS EATEN A KEY ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH IN THE PAST YEAR. MANY SATURNS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION. *TR
PURCHASED A USED SATURN L-22 IN MARCH OF 2003,SHORTLY THEREAFTER I WENT INTO THE COLLEGE PARKING ;LOT TO RETURN HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK, COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO GEAR, SO IT SAT ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED IT "SO THEY SAID" AND AGA…
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PURCHASED A USED SATURN L-22 IN MARCH OF 2003,SHORTLY THEREAFTER I WENT INTO THE COLLEGE PARKING ;LOT TO RETURN HOME FROM SCHOOL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK, COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO GO INTO GEAR, SO IT SAT ALL NIGHT, AND THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY FIXED IT "SO THEY SAID" AND AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER MY MOTHER WHO WAS GROCERY SHOPPING HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LATER THAT NIGHT AS THE CAR SAT ON THE SUPERMARKET LOT WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED AGAIN. MY MOTHER, AND I WENT TO CARFAX ON OUR COMPUTER, AND FOUND OUT THAT THE MOCEL THAT WE WERE DRIVING HAD BEEN RECALLED BACK IN 2003 DUE TO STEERING WHEEL MODULE PROBLEMS. WE WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RETRIEVE THE CAR 5 DAYS LATER AND TOLD THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WHAT WE HAD LOCATED ON CARFAX, HE APPEARED VERY NERVOUS AND REFUSED TO LOOK ON CARFAX TO VERIFY WHAT WE HAD TOLD HIM. THIS SAME OWNER SOLD US A WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE BUT LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE WARRANTY HE SOLD ME COST $1,995 DOLLARS, AND I HAVE BEEN SO UPSET OVER THIS DEALERSHIPS UNSCRUPULOUS PRACTICE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHY MY LIFE, AND THAT OF MY DEAR MOTHERS WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY BY THIS MAN BEING LESS THEN HONEST WHEN THIS CAR WAS SOLD TO ME BY HIS DEALERSHIP, ALONG WITH A BOUGHT WARRANTY WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
MY 2003 SATURN L200 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AFTER BEING STARTED AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GM VEHICLES. SINCE IT APPEARS THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK…
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MY 2003 SATURN L200 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS PASSLOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AFTER BEING STARTED AND THE PASSLOCK LIGHT BLINKS ON AND OFF. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GM VEHICLES. SINCE IT APPEARS THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, I WAS HOPING SOMEONE WOULD LOOK INTO SIMILAR COMPLAINTS TO SEE IF A RECALL WAS NECESSARY. *JB
THE RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM ON MY SATURN L200 HAS FAILED. THE DEALER HAS ONE IN STOCK THAT COSTS ALMOST $900.00. THE ONLY REASON A DEALER WOULD STOCK A PART THAT IS THIS EXPENSIVE IS IF THE FAILURE IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE. *NM
PROBLEMS WITH START ENGINE LIGHT. HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSON. READING P1887 CODE. ALSO WHEN DRIVING, WHEN I TURN TO THE LEFT THE WHEEL MAKES NOISES. THE TRANSMISSON COULD EVENTALLY CAUSE A FIRE. IT IS NOT PROPERLY RELEASING.
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.