IllustrationLEAKING EXHAUST FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS FOUND CODES: P0133 AND P0301 SLOW RESPONSE FROM 02 SENSOR AND MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 1 AND BAD CHECK VALVE. *JB
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1425–50K
1050–75K
1775–100K
6100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
148 reportsTHE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER THEN SUDDENLY WENT DIM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A TECHNICIAN 13 TIMES FOR THE LIGHT SENSOR BRAIN CONTROL SWITCH. *NLM
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
THE VEHICLE POWERED DOWN FROM 70 MPH TO 5, THE DEALER REPAIRED/REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.*JB
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH CAR,
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH,VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN AN INJURY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, CONSUMER FELT THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKING UP. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION BROKE IN TWO. THIS RESULTED IN THE BOLT COMING LOSS AND BUSTING CASING AROUND THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
BACK IN AUGUST I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ONLY TO LEARN THAT I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE. BASED ON THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW YET SATURN CORP DOES NOT FEEL IT WARRANTS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PART…
Read full complaint
BACK IN AUGUST I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE ONLY TO LEARN THAT I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS WHEN THE RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE. BASED ON THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW YET SATURN CORP DOES NOT FEEL IT WARRANTS A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PART HAS APPARENTLY BEEN REDESIGNED TO FIX THE KNOWN PROBLEM. (THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT SHE HAD SEEN MANY CARS COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THE FAULTY PARTS HAD SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED). I EXPRESSED MY DISGUST IN A SATURN CUSTOMER SURVEY AND REQUESTED THAT I BE CONTACTED BY PHONE. TWO MONTHS LATER, ON 10/16/02 I SPOKE WITH "BRIAN" FOR ABOUT 30 MIN AND AFTER IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD POSSIBLY DO REGARDING THE SITUATION, HE SAID HE WOULD PASS MY COMPLAINT(S) ON TO THE AUTHORITIES AND SOMEONE WOULD FOLLOW-UP. I'M STILL WAITING. IRONICALLY, PRIOR TO GETTING THE CALL FROM "BRIAN" AT SATURN, I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM ANOTHER VISIT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THE OIL CHANGE TO BE COMPLETED, THE SAME SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO HAD INFORMED ME OF MY BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM PROCEEDED TO GIVE THE EXACT SAME SPEECH TO A WOMAN WAITING NEXT TO ME. SHE TOO WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN SHE HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND THIS CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT (AS THE SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED AFTER HIS STAFF HAD ALREADY TOLD ME OTHERWISE DURING MY PREVIOUS VISIT). DT
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. *YH *DT
Official recalls
700V309000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.