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

What owners actually said

148 reports

100,000 miles · Jan 18, 2005

Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATEED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10107479

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2004

Steering

WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WANDERED ON ITS ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096925

69,850 miles · Oct 12, 2004

Power Train

SET SCREW THAT HOLDS THE SHAFT THAT HOLDS THE SPIDER GEARS IN PLACE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE SHAFT TO BACK OUT BREAKING THE TRANSMISSION APART AND LOCKING UP IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION TRANS IS AVAILABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10095582

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2004

Exterior Lighting

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED. CONSUMER HAD ANOTHER DRIVER TO OBSERVED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL. BRAKE LIGH CAME ON AND THEN WENT OFF. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BULB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *…

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NHTSA ODI #10090050

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2004

Electrical System

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THE SWITCH TO MY POWER WINDOW WAS BURNED OUT IN MY CAR.TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PHIL.THEY TOLD ME I HAD SHORTED OUT BY SPILLING SOMTHING IN MY CONSEL AREA.THEY ALSO SAID THE REGULATOR WAS SHORTED OUT.I KNEW THIS WAS A LIE.WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY THEY HAD TO REPLACE ANOTHER SWITCH BECAUSE IT WAS BURNT OUT.I KNEW IT WAS THE SAME THING JUST THE OTHER SWITCH.THEY ALSO SAID THE AREA IN QUESTION WAS ALL STICKY .ANOTHER LIE.THEY WANTED 350.00 TO FIX PROBLEM.I SAID NO.I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER CAR SHOP THE MAN THERE SAID THE SWITCH WAS BURNED OUT REPLACED IT FOR 133.00.HE SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY THING HAD BEEN SPILLED INSIDE CONSUL AREA WHERE THE SWITCH AND REGULATOR WAS. I FEEL THAT THEY WERE JUST TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #10088811

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A RISK PIN FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING SHE STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. THE NEXT DAY AFTER A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS, SHE HAD HER VEHICLE TOWED TO A SATURN DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10089334

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2004

Power TrainVisibility

WHILE SHIFTING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. CONSUME RWAS UNABLE TO TURN OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AN D MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *…

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NHTSA ODI #10076097

46,686 miles · Jun 4, 2004

Power Train

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WITHOUT ANY WARNING, I GOT IN MY SATURN AND STARTED IT AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WENT ON. AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO PUT IT IN A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS NO REVERSE MOVEMENT, ONLY REVING ENGINE. THE DEALER I TOOK IT TO, TOLD ME THIS WAS A "KNOWN" PROBLEM (A NUT GETS LOOSE AND FALLS OFF, INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO NEEDED A TRANSMISSION SERVICE. I WAS SUSPECIOUS AT FIRST BUT I WAS NOT CLOSE TO HOME SO I PAID THE $440.OO. TODAY I FIND THAT THERE ARE IDENTICAL AND NEARLY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN SINCE APR 2000, ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. THIS IS SO OBVIOUS A WARRANTY SITUATION AND I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED WITH CREDIT CARD INTEREST !!!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074820

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2004

Electrical System

IGNITION WILL NOT ALWAYS TURN OUT OF LOCK POSISTION. YOU HAVE TO FIGHT WITH IT TO GET IT TO TURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074699

24,450 miles · May 19, 2004

Electrical System

IGNITION LOCKS WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073866

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.