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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.

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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89,000 miles · Nov 20, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT.) THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH. MY BRAKES LOCKED-UP AND I SLID INTO THE PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WORKED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR W…

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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT.) THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH. MY BRAKES LOCKED-UP AND I SLID INTO THE PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WORKED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED AND TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173835

25,000 miles · Feb 25, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AT ABOUT 25000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING, THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY DUE IT ONCE. THE CAR NOW HAS 62000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS THE ORIGINAL PADS, THEY ARE DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. BUT THE ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED AGAIN, LOOKING AT OTHER PROBLEMS O…

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ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AT ABOUT 25000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION WHEN STOPPING, THIS WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY DUE IT ONCE. THE CAR NOW HAS 62000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS THE ORIGINAL PADS, THEY ARE DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WEAR. BUT THE ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED AGAIN, LOOKING AT OTHER PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAD A HONDA WITH OVER 200000 MILES ON ORIGINAL ROTORS?*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058981

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40-50 MPH COMING OFF A RAMP, SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND WHEN SHE RELEASED THEM, THEY LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURE DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE…

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THE CONSUMER STATED HIS WIFE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40-50 MPH COMING OFF A RAMP, SHE HIT THE BRAKES AND WHEN SHE RELEASED THEM, THEY LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE AUTO WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURE DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO THE AUTO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10027019

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE RETAINING PINS WERE NOT REMOVED FROM THE REAR BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TWO YEAR WITHOUT REAR BRAKES *MR *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10014846

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATES DRUM RETAINERS WERE STILL IN PLACE AND WERE NEVER REMOVED. ADJUST REAR BRAKES AND CLEANED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #567413

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS VIBRATION, DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE DISCS 3 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8010455

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicTires

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 CONVER…

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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 · Feb 25, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL BRAKES WOULD GRAB AND LOOSEN. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE ONCE; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8004435

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

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.