2000 Saturn LS

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2004· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY

  CURRENTLY THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATER/DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, INPARTICULAR WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPAIRED TWICE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, AND RECENTLY THE BRAKE DRUMS, ROTATORS AND PADS. I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPAIRED AND FROM TIME TO TIME NEED TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL LUBRICATED WHEN IT STARTS TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN. I AM WONDERING IF I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS OR ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME CAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN I AM DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE THINGS CHECKED WITH WHEELS AND STEERING. *AK

• 12/31/2002· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE THEN HAD A JERKING MOVEMENT DUE TO THE TIRES CUPPING AND WEARING. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

• 12/30/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER GM WARRANTY, VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD GET STUCK SUCH THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY BUT EACH TIME WOULD EVENTUALLY FREE UP. TOOK CAR TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE I ALSO TOOK TO SATURN DEALER BUT THEY ALSO COULD NOT REPLICATE. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPENED PERIODICALLY AND CAR EVENTUALLY PASSED OUT OF WARRANTY. RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT WILL NOT START AT ALL. HAD TO TOW IT TO THE CLOSEST SHOP AND REPAIR THE CYLINDER. CALLED SATURN AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY ASSISTANCE UNLESS I TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALER (AROUND $100) AND PAY THERE DIAGNOSTIC FEES BUT, AGAIN, OFFER NO PROMISE THAT THEY WILL HELP IN ANY WAY EVEN IF THEY CONFIRM THE PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/30/2000· STEERING,TIRES

  CAR IS UNSAFE HAD TIRES REPLACED AND POWER STEERING PUMP CAR SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS. *AK

• 12/29/2003· SEATS

  THE DRIVERS SEAT AND HEAD REST DESIGN IN MY CAR BLOCKS MY REAR VIEW VISIBILITY. MY MODEL CAR HAS ADJUSTABLE SEATS. DESPITE, THE VARIOUS ADJUSTMENTS AVAILABLE TO ME, I AM UNABLE TO POSITION THE SEAT SUCH THAT I CAN SEE OVER THE TOP OF THE SEAT. MY VIEW OUT THE REAR WINDOWS OF MY CAR IS SEVERELY IMPAIRED BY THE SEAT. I AM NOT A SHORT PERSON! IF I REMOVE THE HEADREST FROM THE SEAT I AM ABLE TO SEE BEHIND ME, BUT I THEN CREATE ANOTHER UNSAFE SIFTUATION, SO I DON'T DO IT. THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL THAT COMES WITH MY CAR ACTUALLY CONTAINS A PHOTO SHOWING HOW TO ADJUST THE HEAD REST OF THE CAR TO BE AT A "PROPER" HEIGHT. I AM UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SEAT AND HEADREST TO ACHIEVE THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED ADJUSTMENT HEIGHT. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED BY EITHER REDESIGNING THE SEAT OR "POSSIBLY" COMING UP WITH AN ALTERNATE HEAD REST DESIGN.*AK

• 12/29/2003· VISIBILITY

  THE REAR DEFROSTER IN MY CAR TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY AFTER ABOUT 10 - 15 MINUTES. I HAVE FOUND THIS DESIGN TO PRESENT A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO ME WHEN I OPERATE MY VEHICLE DURING A SNOW STORM. DURING A SNOW STORM, THE REAR WINDOW IN MY CAR FOGS UP UNLESS I CONTINUOUSLY RUN THE DEFROSTER! (I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR IN MANY CAR MODELS.) MY DEFROSTER TURNS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I DON'T REALIZE I HAVE A PROBLEM UNTIL THE WINDOW FOGS UP MAKING MY VISIBILITY VERY POOR. I THEN HAVE TO TRY TO GROPE FOR THE DEFROSTER SWITCH TO TURN THE DEFROSTER BACK ON. WHEN I AM FORCED TO REACH FOR THE DEFROSTER BUTTON WHEN DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD, I AM PUTTING MYSELF IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY IF THE SUN HAS SET. DURING A SNOW STORM IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE FOCUSSING ON THE ROAD, NOT GROPING FOR A SWITCH EVERY 10-15 MINUTES. THIS DEFROSTER DESIGN HAS TWO DISADVANTAGES FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT. FIRST, MY REAR WINDOW REPEATEDLY FOGS UP UNEXPECTEDLY AT VERY CRITICAL TIMES. SECOND, I AM FORCED TO DIVERT MY ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD DURING THE WORST TYPE OF DRIVING CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO TURN ON THE REAR DEFROSTER.*AK

• 12/22/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 SATURN LS1 IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, KY ON 12/19/06. THE CAR DIED AS SHE WAS DRIVING. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE WAS CARRYING TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. AFTER ANALYSIS BY A MECHANIC IT WAS FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN AND RUINED THE ENGINE. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $4000. I AM TURNING THE CAR IN FOR SALVAGE. *NM

• 12/21/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO GEARS. SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT NO CODES SHOW UP ON SCANNER I HAVE FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM OVER THE INTERNET. *AK

• 12/18/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS ON NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT HER 2000 SATURN L SERIES HAD BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL ON THE WEBSITE WAS IN AUGUST 2003. SHE HAS ALREADY HAD THIS REPAIR DONE, AND STILL HAVE THE REPAIR ORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID GET A RECALL ON THE SAME VEHICLE FOR HER BRAKE LIGHT BUT NOT FOR THIS RECALL. THE RECALL STATED THAT PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION MODULE MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CONTACT HAS HAD THIS REPAIR DONE ON VEHICLE ALSO. TELESIS WILL CALL THE CONTACT AND GIVE HER THE INFORMATION IN THE FAQ. UPDATED 2/22/2007 - *NM

• 12/16/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY TIMING CHAIN SEPARATED AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. I HAVE A SATURN 2000 LS 2.2L ENGINE. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM, NEVER KNEW THE CHAIN WAS A PROBLEM. I WENT TO START MY CAR, IT WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO GOODYEAR, THEY SAID I HAVE NO COMPRESSION, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. MY ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT A NEW ENGINE INTO MY CAR. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED THE OIL AT 3,000 MILES AND MECHANICALLY TOOK CARE OF MY CAR. I AM LOOKING TO REPLACE THE MOTOR WITH MONEY I DO NOT HAVE. A TIMING CHAIN SHOULD NOT FAIL IN THESE CONDITIONS. *TR

• 12/16/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  1. CAR HAS 44,000 MILES ON IT. COOLANT SYSTEM IS LEAKING. ESTIMATED $500 TO FIX IT. CAR IS 2.5 YRS OLD. 2. WHEN WINDSHIELD WASHER IS USED, IT SHORTS OUT AND WIPER SYSTEM STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT RECOMMENDS $400 WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WENT THRU THREE FUSES IN ONE DAY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT IS WINTER AND I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND

• 12/14/2008· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE 2000 SATURN L-SERIES HAS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SATURN REFERS TO IT AS #00-C-03, JAN. 4, 2005); HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE VIN SERIES FOR THAT RECALL. NEVERTHELESS, MY VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL (TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE; HAZARD WARNING SWITCH SOMETIMES MADE A LOUD "BUZZING" SOUND, ESPECIALLY IN VERY COLD WEATHER); I CONTACTED SATURN; HOWEVER, SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE RECALL VIN RANGE, THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AS A RECALL ISSUE (I WOULD HAVE HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY FOR THE SERVICE MYSELF). INSTEAD, I ACQUIRED AND INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT HAZARD WARNING SWITCH FROM A SATURN DEALER AND INSTALLED IT ACCORDING TO THE RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTIONS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED. *TR

• 12/14/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ACCORDING TO THE SATURN SERVICE ADVISOR, SATURN RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN AT 100,000 MILES. AFTER PERFORMING $1500 WORTH OF REPAIRS (A/C, AXLE, OIL PAN DENT, TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK, AND AIR FILTERS), THE MECHANIC STARTED TO TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE, AND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE - AT JUST UNDER 89,000 MILES. SINCE THEY DIDN'T THINK THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED, I AUTHORIZED THEM TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN FOR $800. A FEW DAYS LATER, I LEARNED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED - $1500. I CHOSE NOT TO DO THIS AND DONATED THE CAR TO THE SALVATION ARMY. *TR

• 12/14/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. TAIL/STOP LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILURE ON BOTH SIDES BEGAN ON 05/2003 WITH LEFT SIDE. REPLACED SOCKET/BULB. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED ON 06/2003, AND REPLACED ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $84.37. REPLACED SOCKETS ON BOTH SIDES 3 MORE TIMES. STOPPED BY POLICE TWICE, AS RECENT AS 12/2004 FOR NO TAIL/STOP LIGHTS ON RIGHT SIDE. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH ONLY WITH TOP SOCKET/CIRCUIT. SERVICE AND PARTS MANAGER AT TEMPLE SATURN, 1-800-460-7688, WAS WELL AWARE OF PROBLEMS, AND SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ONLY FOR 2000-2002 VEHICLES. CONTACTED SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, STATED THE PROBLEM, AND WAS GIVEN CASE REF #1-14090108. ALSO, WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR THEM TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST. THE PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS AT TEMPLE SATURN - HEATH GREEN/CHUCK GREEN COULD PROVIDE INFORMATION. BASIC PROBLEM WAS THE CIRCUIT BOARD WHICH WAS PLACED WITH PLASTIC HOLD DOWNS MELTED AND CAUSED THE METAL TO MOVE AND SHORT OUT. *AK

• 12/14/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  FAILURE OF LEFT REAR (DRIVER SIDE) TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO NOT LIGHT. THIS IS MY SECOND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY FAILURE IN 3 YEARS. *AK

• 12/13/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY FAIL. ONLY ONE LIGHT WILL COME ON & THE ONE THAT IS ON IS BRIGHTER THAN IT SHOULD BE. MULTIPLE LIGHT REPLACEMENTS DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP HAS NOTED THAT THE POWER CIRCUIT IS RUN THROUGH THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ITSELF & THAT IT ISN'T ALWAYS SEATED RESULTING IN FAILED CIRCUIT. IN DRIVING I SEE MULTIPLE SATURNS WITH THIS ISSUE. SECONDARILY THE HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT IF 1 BULB BLOWS IT SHORTS OUT THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD LIGHTS. *NM

• 12/13/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER REGARDING SATURN TAIL LIGHT BRACKET HOUSING- BULB REPAIR. WHEN CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CONSUMER WAS TOLD REPAIR WORK WAS ALREADY DONE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

• 12/10/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE A 2000 LS2 SATURN VEHICLE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE ON. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DEFECTIVE INFERIOR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH RELIES ON A WEAK SPRING-LOADED CONTACT ON THE SOCKET TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO THE BULB. WELL I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS. I WAS YELLED BYT HE DRIVER FOLLOWING ME. THE BULB'S FILAMENTS WORK, BU TIT IS THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY THAT IS INFERIOR. I HAD ANOTHER CLOSE CALL EARLY THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE, BUT MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO MY WORKPLACE EACH DAY SOME 28 MILES ONE WAY FROM MORGANTOWN, WV TO FAIRMONT,WV. I FEEL SINCE SATURN KNOWS OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT THEY MUST WANT ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THEIR FAULTY ASSEMBLY. I SHALL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS SATURN BELIEVES THE ASSEMBLY DOES NOT NEED REPLACED.I HAVE A 2000 LS2 SATURN VEHICLE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING WHEN MY LIGHTS ARE ON. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE DEFECTIVE INFERIOR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY WHICH RELIES ON A WEAK SPRING-LOADED CONTACT ON THE SOCKET TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY TO THE BULB. WELL I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED LAST NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE BULB'S FILAMENTS WORK, BU TIT IS THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY THAT IS INFERIOR. I HAD ANOTHER CLOSE CALL EARLY THIS MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE ANYMORE, BUT MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO MY WORKPLACE EACH DAY SOME 28 MILES ONE WAY FROM MORGANTOWN, WV TO FAIRMONT,WV. I FEEL SINCE SATURN KNOWS OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT THEY MUST WANT ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THEIR FAULTY ASSEMBLY. I SHALL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR AS SATURN BELIEVES THE INFERIOR ASSEMBLY DOES NOT NEED REPLACED. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY ON THIS MODEL FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDER WARRANTY, MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT. PLEASE HELP ME BE A SAFE VEHICLE PRESENCE ON THE COUNTRY'S HIGHWAY'S WITHIN ONE OF SATURN'S PRODUCTS THAT THEY SELL THIS WAY.*AK

• 12/10/2003· SUSPENSION

  THE REAR END WAS WEARING OUT WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE OVER 20 MPH. ALSO, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TECH FOUND THAT THE TIRES HAD UNEVEN WEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE, THE REAR CARGO COVER WAS CRACKED AT THE CLIP, THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND THAT HAD COME FROM THE TIRES AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS ALSO CUPPING ON THE TIRES THAT CAUSED THE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE. *SCC *JB

• 12/09/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION LOCKED FOR THE 3RD TIME. KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, TECH REPLACED BINDING IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. *BF *JB

• 12/08/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN ION LEVEL 2. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE WAS UNDER FORTY DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

• 12/08/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AND THE ACCESSORIES WERE DEFECTIVE. *JB *SC

• 12/07/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TIMING CHAIN FRACTURED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

• 12/07/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, AND TURNING THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. A FUSE WAS PULLED TO STOP THE ENGINE. IT STARTED ON ITS OWN ONE HALF HOUR AFTER THE FUSE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

• 12/07/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  AT CROSSING SPEED (MORE THAN 15 MPH) THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY GAS PEDAL EFFORD. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO 4,000. RPMS ON NEUTRAL. WHEN THE CAR WAR ON DRIVE THE ENGINE WHENT TO 6,000 RPMS. THIS PROBLEM CAN EASILY CREATE AN ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT. THE CAR CAN GO TO FULL SPEED WITHOUT NOTICE OR TELL TELL LIGHT. THIS PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR STAYING FULLY OPEN. GENERAL MOTORS KNOWS ABOUT THIS POTENCIAL PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUE A NEW PART NUMBER FOR THIS ENGINE IDLE CONTROL MOTOR. NEW P/N 1711363 OLD P/N 25177797. BUT THERE IS NOTHING ISSUE FOR THIS PROBLEM, NOT A RECALL, OR SERVICE BULLETIN.*AK

• 12/06/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT OF MY 2000 SATURN SL2 COMES ON AND THEN THE REDUCED POWER LIGHT COMES ON AND THE POWER IS REDUCED AND THE CAR STOPS AND WILL NOT RESTART. THE REDUCED POWER AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR STOPS AND STALLS IN BUSY TRAFFIC, OR ANYWHERE THE WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON , THE CAR THEN HAD TO BE TOWED BY AAA ON SATURDAY TO MY HOME AND AGAIN ON MONDAY TO DEALERSHIP AFTER STOPPING IN BUSY MORNING TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHARGED ME OVER $925. THEY REPLACED THE ECM, BUT THE CAR IS STILL NOT STOPPING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND REDUCED POWER LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. *JB

• 12/04/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ENGINE WILL START TO SHAKE UNCONTROLABLY MAKING VEHICLE FEEL AS IF WE'RE SHAKING APART. DT

• 12/03/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY PULLED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

• 12/03/2001· TIRES

  TOOK CAR IN TO DIAGNOSE WOBBLE IN FRONT END. DEALER REPORTS THAT ONE TIRE SUFFERED FROM "A BLOWN STEEL BELT AND TREAD SEPARATION. OTHER THREE TIRES ARE ON WEAR INDICATORS." THESE TIRES ARE OE, AND AND STILL AT LEAST 10000 MILES BELOW THEIR EXPECTED LIFE.*AK (TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)

• 12/02/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  MY MECHANIC GAVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL THAT IS BEING DONE ON 2000 AND UP SATURNS ON THE TIMING CHAIN, HOWEVER SATURN HAS YET TO ACCEPT THAT AS A RECALL. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE FROM NHTSA AND THEY DIRECTED ME TO SATURN WHO AGAIN DIRECTED ME BACK HERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BE RECALLED. *TR

• 12/02/2003· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE/REPLACEMENT AT 50,000 ODOMETER READING ON 2000 SATURN LW2, ENGINE L81 3.0 LITER V-6, VIN [XXX].....ON OCTOBER 6, 2003 I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER OF SATURN OF WOODBRIDGE (VIRGINIA) THAT. *AK MY 2000 SATURN LW2 NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $3,800. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST UNDERGONE THE 51,000 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON OCTOBER 9, 2003 AT A COST TO ME OF $1,500. IT IS MY CONSIDERED OPINION THAT AN AUTOMOBILE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SUPPOSED TO FAIL WITHOUT EXPLAINED/ANTICIPATED REASON AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. PURCHASED NEW BY ME ON MAY 27, 2000, EVERY SCHEDULED 3000 MILE MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE. FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER 2003 THE SERVICE-ENGINE-LIGHT ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE SERVICE SECTION AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT NOTHING REGISTERED ON THE COMPUTER. THE PROBLEM WAS "FIXED" BY RE-SETTING THE COMPUTER. ON OCTOBER 3, 2003 THE COMPUTER INDICATED "CODE P1811" WHICH LED THE TECHNICIAN TO A BULLETIN NUMBERED 02-T-84. WHAT IS THIS BULLETIN? IS IT "2002-TRANSMISSION-84TH BULLETIN"? WHEN I COMPLAINED, SATURN VOLUNTEERED TO ABSORB ALL COSTS BUT $1,500. SATURN INSTALLED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION ON OCTOBER 9, 2003 AND KEPT MY ORIGINAL (FAILED) TRANSMISSION FOR RETURN TO SATURN FOR REBUILDING. DID SATURN KNOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD A PROPENSITY TO FAIL? DID SATURN REALLY ABSORB PART OF WHAT WAS CLAIMED TO BE A $3,800 (REBUILT TRANSMISSION) REPLACEMENT COST? I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS REPORT APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO ODI NUMBER 10010259 DESCRIBED MARCH 8, 2003 REGARDING A 2000 L SERIES WAGON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/01/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAULTY ELECTRICAL TAIL LIGHTS; WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BRAKE LIGHTS DONT COME ON. HEAD LIGHTS OFF TAIL LIGHTS COME ON. ALSO, INTERIOR DASHLIGHTS DIM UPON THE DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER SATURNS WITH SAME PROBLEM...ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *AK

• 11/30/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE REAR BRAKES SLIDE OFF THE WHEEL CYLINDER CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO GO TO THE FLOOR. IF YOU LOOK AT THE SATURN 2000 LS1 THE WHEEL CYLINDERS HAS A FLAT SURFACE WHICH THE BRAKES SET ON AND AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE BRAKES SLIP OFF THE WHEEL CYLINDER WHICH THEN IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. ON THE SATURN 2000 SL1 THE WHEEL CYLINDER HAS SLOTS ON THE WHEEL CYLINDER WHICH HOLDS THE BRAKES IN PLACE,THEY NEED TO HAVE THE WHEEL CYLINDERS REPLACED FOR ONES WITH SLOTS. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAPPENDS ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS HAVING TO TAKE APART AND FIX ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL GET KILLED IF IT HASN'T HAPPEN YET. *TR

• 11/30/2004· POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  THIS 2000 SATURN LS1 WAS PURCHASED NEW 1/12/00. ON 3/20/01 AND 23655 MILES, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO CLUTCH PEDAL LOW TO THE FLOOR AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THEY REPLACED THE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER. ON 5/28/02 AND 46235 MILES, THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO SES LIGHT ON AND RUNNING ROUGH IN R, 1RST, AND 2ND GEAR. THEY REPLACED THE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER. ON 11/29/04 AND 79906 MILES, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE CLUTCH PEDAL NOT HOLDING PRESSURE AND THE GEARS COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THEY REPLACED THE CONCENTRIC SLAVE CYLINDER. THE SAME PART IS FAILING EVERY 20 TO 30 THOUSAND MILES WITH NO EXPLANATION FROM THE SATURN SERVICE REPS.*AK

• 11/28/2011· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,200.

• 11/28/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE, THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION TAKING PLACE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V519000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. UPDATED 02/03/12*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/10/12

• 11/28/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH THE CRUISE ON. I THOUGHT THE CAR DID SOMETHING FUNNY, MAYBE IT SLOWED DOWN SO I LOOKED DOWN AT MY SPEEDOMETER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING, I TAPPED MY BRAKES. THEN MORE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR WAS JUST SLOWING DOWN. I THOUGHT I SHOULD START PULLING OVER TO STOP SO I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FLEW OFF MY CAR. I SLOWLY COASTED TO A STOP. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND IT WASN'T RUNNING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LIGHTS AND CALLED MY HUSBAND. IT WAS REALLY SCARY TO HAVE THE CAR JUST STOP ON YOU WHILE YOU WERE DRIVING AND IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN GOOD IF PEOPLE WERE AROUND. MY HUSBAND CAME TO SEE IF HE COULD GET THE CAR RUNNING AND WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY IT JUST SOUNDED LIKE METAL SCRAPING ON METAL. IT WAS A HORRIBLE NOISE I HAVE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. WE TOWED THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT TO THE CLOSEST TOWN AND IN THE MORNING FOUND OUT THEY DID NOT FIX SATURNS. ANOTHER PLACE IN TOWN, WHEN OUR CAR BROKE DOWN 2 MONTHS AGO, COULD NOT EVEN FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT AND RECOMMENDED WE BRING IT TO A SATURN DEALER (NO ONE CLOSER THAN 250 MILES). WE HAULED OUR CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO HAD WORKED ON IT IN 2005 WHEN THE WATER PUMP BROKE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT. HE HAS STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT BROKE. IT WILL BE AT LEAST $1500 AND THAT'S IF IT DIDN'T WRECK THE ENGINE. WE AREN'T SURE IF WE ARE GOING TO FIX IT BECAUSE WE ARE STILL PAYING ON THE CAR ITSELF. AND WE JUST PUT ABOUT $1200 INTO IT IN SEPTEMBER. WE GET THE OIL CHANGED EVERY MONTH BECAUSE OF THE MILES WE DRIVE AND WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER PEOPLE OWNING A 2000 SATURN L SERIES CAR. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND FIX IT! IF IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THEN WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. *TR

• 11/26/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 SATURN LS1 AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND AVOID OTHER TRAFFIC IN MOTION WHEN I LOST ALL POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT AND I STILL OWE $1500.00 ON THE LOAN.

• 11/25/2011· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. *TR

• 11/25/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  ON 6/21/2003 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO BULBS IN THE SOCKETS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THAT DEALER SIX TIMES TO FIX THE BRAKE LIGHTS. *AK *NLM

• 11/24/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ASSEMBLY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS............................*JB

• 11/24/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  AFTER PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD JUMPING THE PARKING ABUTMENT AND CRASHING INTO MY BUILDING AND FENCE. *AK

• 11/23/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  RIGHT REAR PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH AND SNAPPED. RESULT: NO PARKING BRAKE (NO HAND BRAKE). LOCAL MECHANICS ADVISED US THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SATURN IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. GM NO LONGER SELLS THIS CABLE. NONE OF THE AFTERMARKET COMPANIES MAKE A CABLE THAT FITS THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. *TR

• 11/19/2014· STRUCTURECrash

  I WAS DRIVING A 98 TOYOTA TACOMA ON A 45 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN A PEDESTRIAN IN THE ROAD CAUSED ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO SUDDENLY STOP. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND WENT INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE IN THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK THE 2000 SATURN COUPE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER TO DRIVERS SIDE FENDER. UPON IMPACT THE BODY OF THE SATURN BURST INTO 12 TO 14 INCH SHARDS OF WHATEVER THE BODY IS MADE OF, (PERHAPS FIBERGLASS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). ONE SUCH SHARD SHATTERED THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND IMPALED ME THROUGH MY LEFT SHOULDER AND LODGED ITSELF PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY FROM MY BACK. THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE BLEEDING SO I WAS AIRLIFTED TO ORMC FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY, AND AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED. THE SURGEON STATED THAT ANOTHER INCH WOULD HAVE MEANT ME BLEEDING OUT IN THE ROAD. THAT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE SHOT DEADLY PROJECTILES UPON IMPACT. *TR

• 11/18/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SATURN 2000 LS! STARTING DEFECT. THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE VEHICLE OWNER MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAN BE STARTED. GM WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE LATE AT NIGHT WHEN MY WIFE IS STUCK IN A DARK PARKING LOT WAITING FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO RESET. *TR

• 11/17/2015· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AROUND ALL OF THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

• 11/17/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO FLUID FROM THE AC CONDENSER LINE HAS BEEN FLOWING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AC IS ON. AS MUCH AS A HALF INCH OF LIQUID HAS POURED ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, THE BRIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN COMING ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE THE CAR IS ON AND WHILE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED, DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE BATTERY NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE THERE HAS BEEN A SULFUR LIKE SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS BEEN STALLING AS WELL. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE FOR THE BRIGHTS IS THE IGNITION CONTROL SWITCH. SATURN HAS TOLD ME THAT THESE RECALLS ARE NOW CLOSED. MY SATURN CASE NUMBER IS 71-777062859. *TR

• 11/16/1999· STRUCTURE

  DURING TRANSPORTATION OF NEW VEHICLE THE SPOILER AND WINDSHIELD WERE DAMAGED. MJS

• 11/15/2011· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE PULLED WHEN BRAKING. SYMPTOMS STARTED ON A MONDAY AS A LIGHT PULL. MORE NOTICEABLE ABOVE 50 MPH, AND NOT NOTICEABLE BELOW 35. BY THURSDAY MORNING, PULL WAS SEVERE ABOVE 50MPH. STAYED TILL AFTER 6:00 AT NIGHT TO AVOID TRAFFIC. RIDE HOME WAS "ENTERTAINING" AS STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ALWAYS GO BACK TO "CENTER" WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK UNTIL I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SATURDAY. MY INSPECTION SHOWED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME (A.K.A. ENGINE CRADLE) FAILED WHERE THE "PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING WAS ATTACHED". A SIZABLE PIECE OF FRAME RIPPED OUT, WITH BUSHING STILL ATTACHED TO LOWER CONTROL ARM. RUSTED PERFORATIONS IN SUBFRAME VISIBLE APPROXIMATELY 6" BEHIND WHERE FRAME FAILED. TWO SETS OF RIMS (SUMMER AND WINTER) WITH NO "DINGS" TESTIFIES THAT VEHICLE NEVER EVEN HIT A CURB IN 170,000 MILES. 4 CYLINDER, SO NO EXHAUST NEARBY TO "WEAKEN STEEL". BAD CHOICE OF CORROSION PROTECTION IN A CRITICAL PART OF THE FRAME, AND/OR UNDERSIZING OF STEEL THICKNESS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR CORROSION IS MY ESTIMATE OF "FAILURE MODE". CONTACTED DEALER AND NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE. WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, VERY DISAPPOINTED IT FAILED THIS WAY. LAST VEHICLE I JUNKED WAS A 17 YEAR OLD 1973 OLDS. EVERYTHING BUT THE SUBFRAME INDICATED I'D GET ANOTHER 5 YEARS OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

• 11/15/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ROUGH IDLE. THE CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED A PROBLEM WITH TIMING CHAIN. THE TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED BY THE MECHANIC. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. *NM (12/01/05) *SC