2000 Saturn SL
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 148
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Power train
Campaigns on file for 2000
None on file
24% of complaints
Complaints per year
2000: 148 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 131 |
| 1993 | 179 |
| 1994 | 303 |
| 1995 | 356 |
| 1996 | 287 |
| 1997 | 227 |
| 1998 | 168 |
| 1999 | 178 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 111 |
| 2002 | 131 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Power train
24% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Engine and engine cooling
24% · 36 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle caught on fire. The cause was unknown.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-21
Electrical system
20% · 29 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and switch.
Show complaint excerpts
Important, I do not know the dates so I had to just put in a random one. This car turned itself off on 3 occasions. I brought it to Saturn on all the incidents.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-01
I inserted the key to start the car and the cylinder would not turn; the steering wheel locked; had to have the car towed. Happened again 4-3-08 and had another new key cylinder installed, odometer then 35449.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-13
Service brakes
11% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Tires
7% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing sidewall.
Show complaint excerpts
My front tire blew out on i-85 and I hit several trees.( DOT number: n/a tire size: pr 185 )
NHTSA ODI report, 2000-09-27
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1999-08-24Structure99V232000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.
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R
1999-08-24Unknown or other99V230000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.
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1999-08-24Service brakes, hydraulic99V231000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
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1999-10-29Structure99V297000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.
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1999-10-29Seat belts99V280000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.
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2000-10-06Fuel system, gasoline00V309000 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…
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.
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2000-10-06Power train00V310000 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…
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…
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2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…
Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Buy-smart checklist
2000 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Power train: 36 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 36 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 29 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V232000 · Structure
- Recall 99V230000 · Unknown or other
- Recall 99V231000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 99V297000 · Structure
- Recall 99V280000 · Seat belts
- Recall 00V309000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 00V310000 · Power train
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2000 Saturn SL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Saturn SL is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SL?
- The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn SL have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.