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

60,000 miles · Oct 1, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 60000 MILES AND WAS THREE YEARS OLD. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WHEN ONE OF THE HEATER CORE HOSES BLEW. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. *AK *NLM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10032084

40,000 miles · Sep 3, 2003

Electrical System

IGNITION FIRST STARTED RELEASING THE KEYS WITH OUT THE CAR BEING TURNED OFF. THEN THE IGNITION CEASED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO ENTER MORE THAN HALF WAY. THE LOCK UP WAS DUE IN PART OF THE BUZZER SWITCH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037157

51,000 miles · Aug 18, 2003

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN SL1 (AUTO TRANS). THE OIL GALLEY PLUG COME OUT OF THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND BROKE MY FLYWHEEL, TORQUE CONVERTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION. SATURN SAYS IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED, BUT THIS PLUG CAN NOT BE TOUCH WITHOUT TAKING THE WHOLE ENGINE OUT AND TAKING THE ENGINE APART. KNOW THIS NOW THE LAST ONE TO TOUCH THIS PLUG IS SATURN WHEN THEY WERE PUTTING THE ENGINE TOGETHER NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE, NOW A PLUG THAT DOES NOTHING AND CAN NOT BE TOUCH OR A REASON TO BE SERVICED, HAS CAUSED $2200 OF DAMAGE. KNOWING ALL OF THIS, WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE. IS THERE ANYWAY THAT YOU CAN HELP ME. CALL IF YOU CAN OR CAN'T HELP PLEASE!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10033003

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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NHTSA ODI #10027019

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2003

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN. ALL THE ELECTRICAL LIGHT COMPONENTS WERE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033966

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

33,000 miles · Aug 6, 2003

Exterior Lighting

BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ELECTRICAL, OVERHEATING OF CONTACTS RESULTS IN FAULTY OPERATION, DELER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE OF THIS TYPE ON THIS VEHICLE. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030935

45,000 miles · Aug 1, 2003

Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THE OIL PUMP FAILED. *AK *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10027114

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 · Jun 24, 2003

Steering

CONSUMER WILL ELABORATE ON A COMPLAIN ABOUT STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10024818

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.