Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine Cooling
FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO FLUID FROM THE AC CONDENSER LINE HAS BEEN FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AC IS ON. AS MUCH AS A HALF INCH OF LIQUID HAS POURED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE BRIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMING ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR IS ON AND WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF …
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FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO FLUID FROM THE AC CONDENSER LINE HAS BEEN FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AC IS ON. AS MUCH AS A HALF INCH OF LIQUID HAS POURED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE BRIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMING ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR IS ON AND WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED, DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE THERE HAS BEEN A SULFUR LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STALLING AS WELL. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE FOR THE BRIGHTS IS THE IGNITION CONTROL SWITCH. SATURN HAS TOLD ME THAT THESE RECALLS ARE NOW CLOSED. MY SATURN CASE NUMBER IS 71-777062859. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292585
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
1
DP08002 · Timing Chain FAILURE-STALL
Opened Jun 18, 2008 · Closed Oct 16, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ON JUNE 6, 2006, ODI OPENED AN INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE RESULTING IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING WITH NO RESTART IN APPROXIMATELY 20,514 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L ENGINES (L61) BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH FEBRUARY 2001 (EA06-009).THE VEHICLES BUILT DURING THOSE MONTHS EXHIBITED HIGHER FAILURE RATES THAN SIMILARLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER.GM INTRODUCED A NEW TIMING CHAIN DESIGN IN PRODUCTION IN MAY 2002.ODI CLOSED ITS INVESTIGATION AFTER GM INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOVEMBER 7, 2007 (RECALL 07V-519). ON MAY 22, 2008, THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL (NCCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO ODI REQUESTING THE EXPANSION OF RECALL 07V-519 TO INCLUDE ALL MY 1999 THROUGH 2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLES WITH 2.2L ENGINES USING THE SAME TIMING CHAIN DESIGN AS THE RECALLED POPULATION.THE PETITION STATES THAT THE NCCC CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN VEHICLES BUILT OUTSIDE THE PRODUCTION RANGE COVERED BY THE RECALL.THE PETITION ALSO NOTES THAT ODI HAS CONTINUED TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS.SINCE THE CLOSING OF EA06-009 ODI HAS RECEIVED 80 NEW COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS WHO HAD A TIMING CHAIN FAIL IN A MY 2000 THROUGH 2002 SATURN L-SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY RECALL 07V-519 AND WERE BUILT PRIOR TO THE TIMING BELT CHANGE IN MAY 2002.THE COMPLAINTS DESCRIBE THE SAME FAILURE MODE AS THE RECALLED POPULATION WHERE THE TIMING CHAIN CAN BREAK SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER.THE DEFECT PETITION HAS BEEN GRANTED. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-061) HAS BEEN OPENED.
2000 Saturn Saturn L Series Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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