2000 Saturn SL recalls and problems

The 2000 Saturn SL has 7 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Saturn dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
148
Crashes / fires
10 / 3
Injuries / deaths
10 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2000 Saturn SL vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 Saturn SL recalls

Recall 00V-309: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Oct 12, 2000 · 6,092 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Recall 00V-310: Power Train

Reported Oct 12, 2000 · 65,000 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.

Fix: 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.

Recall 99V-297: Structure

Reported Oct 27, 1999 · 7,505 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

Recall 99V-280: Seat Belts

Reported Oct 20, 1999 · 265,698 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.

Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

Recall 99V-231: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Aug 24, 1999 · 5,373 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

Recall 99V-232: Structure

Reported Aug 23, 1999 · 1,592 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

Recall 99V-230: Unknown or Other

Reported Aug 23, 1999 · 2,692 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.

Fix: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

2000 Saturn SL problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine and Engine Cooling36
Power Train36
Electrical System30
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Tires12
Steering11
Suspension7
Unknown or Other7
Visibility7
Structure6
Vehicle Speed Control6
Exterior Lighting6

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 22
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 10
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 6
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner — 4
  • Electrical System › Ignition › Switch — 4
  • Power Train › Manual Transmission — 4
  • Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 57,714 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2000 Saturn SL complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 120,000 miles · reported Jul 13, 2018
Hit mountain head on and car rolled and air bags did not deploy. Rear tire and drum broke off car while doing 50 mile per hour
Service Brakes · reported Jun 18, 2016
There is no issue with my brake light bulb it is not burnt out. All the fuses have been checked over by qualified salesperson who had shown me that my that my brake light was still working, and yet my brake light does not work. I AM afraid of driving at night, and worry constantly that I will be stopped during the day, as I don't have any explanation as to why this one driver's side brake light does not work. I read somewhere on a saturn forum that there had been a recall over this issue, but I AM unable to locate.
Engine · at 150,000 miles · reported Dec 5, 2014
The timing chain went out and needs replaced. The engine cranks but will not turn over. Our mechanic told us we're looking at a $1000 plus repair.
Electrical System · reported Oct 27, 2014
Soon after purchasing the vehicle we started having problems with the ignition switch. Sometimes it was very difficult to even start the car as the switch would be frozen in place. After some play with the steering wheel it would work. Then there were times you could not turn the vehicle off without several attempts. We tried to take the car to a mechanic to see if it could be fixed but the problem continued. Now the key has to be left in at all times, you can't remove it at all. This is a safety concern with all the recalls regarding the ignition in these vehicles. Not to mention a personal…
Electrical System · at 110,000 miles · reported Sep 23, 2014
I turned my car into a parking lot, and the engine suddenly just quit working. After several minutes I was able to restart the car, it also happened again while I was stopped at a red light, and again when I made a left turn into another park lot,all on the same day in less than 1 1/2 hours total time. I have had this problem repeatedly over the last about seven years. I was told when I first had trouble with the ignition housing coming loose, not to put any other keys on the key ring, and I only have the car key on the chain. I have had the ignition changed twice, and this may be the third…

Other Saturn SL years

Compare all Saturn SL years · All Saturn models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Saturn SL have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SL: 00V-309 (fuel system, gasoline), 00V-310 (power train), 99V-297 (structure), 99V-280 (seat belts), 99V-231 (service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Saturn SL?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (36 reports), followed by power train (36). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 57,714 miles.

Are Saturn recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Saturn dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.