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

Power Train complaints

35 reports

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57,714 miles · Aug 12, 2003

Power Train

MY 2000 SATURN SL1 HAS A PROBLEM WHICH I FEEL IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, THE CAR EITHER DOES NOT SHIFT AT ALL, OR, HESITATES THEN SHIFTS UNEXPECTEDLY, OR SHIFTS ONLY WHEN GAS AND BRAKE ARE PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT IS JUST AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10032634

Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2003

Power Train

WHEN VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN REVERSE IT MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024819

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2002

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. *YH *DT

NHTSA ODI #568077

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2002

Power Train

I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR 11 MONTHS. IT ONLY HAS 42, ALMOST 43,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I DONT UNDERSTAND THAT. I NEED SOME HELP GETTING MY CAR REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO PARK. IT WOULDNT GO INTO REVERSE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWI…

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NHTSA ODI #761531

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTires

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VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TRAIN AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK VEHICLE WOULD POP AND JERK INTO GEAR AT 40 MPH, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM, DEALER FOUND VALVE BODY SEVERELY CONTAMINATED, TORQUE CONVERTER METAL CONTAMINATED, DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER HOUSING, REPLACED COMPLETE TRANSAXLE. VIBRATION EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING OVER 65 MPH DUE TO ALL FOUR TIRES BEING OUT OF BALANCE. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A NOISE WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #8007304

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2002

Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, THERE IS A DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN CHANGING GEARS WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO GO INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE ALSO COASTS BEFORE ENGAGING INTO GEAR, THE RPM'S WILL RACE ALL THE WAY INTO THE RED ZONE GOING 30 MPH. NLM TT

NHTSA ODI #8006435

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2002

Power Train

THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF POSSIBLE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION AS STATED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #00-T-24 ISSUED ON 04/2000. THE SATURN DEALER AT WHICH I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN CONSIDER THE DEFECT, BUT INSTEAD WISHES TO CHARGE ME FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN 2 Y…

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NHTSA ODI #759623

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2002

Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

VEHICLE HAD TO BE REALIGNED ON THREE OCCASIONS BY DEALER DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON FRONT TIRES. *AK BATTERY REPLACED TWICE. THE CABLE SHIFT CONTROL REPLACED. BOLT AND SEAL WASHER REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE MADE A ROARING NOISE AND VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. BOTH FRONT INNER DOOR HANDLES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8005029

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2002

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD BECOMES DISTORED. HOWEVER, WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8002829

Mileage unknown · Jan 1, 2002

Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

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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

Official recalls

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

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.