2003 Saturn L200: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 138 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 45 MPH, an abnormal whirling sound was coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact's wife was unable to restart the vehicle and with the assistance of a police officer, she coasted the vehicle off to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective timing chain which resulted in engine failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2022
“The front bumper plastic fasteners that hold the bumper to the chassis degrade and break over time and the front bumper will fall off without notice. This happened to me as my car was slowly moving forward in a parking lot and I had to get out and pick up the bumper and put it in my back seat to get it home. When I got home upon inspection I noticed the plastic fasteners had broken and I was not able to put the bumper back on. I had to use wire to attach it to the chassis because the plastic fasteners were all broken and brittle.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2018
“Brakelights have quit working twice. Also multiple electricle problems. On 1 occasion, ABS light was out, came on again with restart. Another time fuel gague showed empty, showed full on restart. Another time turned key and no elecric at all, unplugged battery and all was well.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving with two kids in the car my stearing became odd. I slowed down and my car started pulling to the left I could barely keep it in a straight line. My stearing wheel was turned all the way to the right when suddenly it sounded like I had a flat tire. I stopped the car the wheel it's self looked odd. I got back in and tried to drive and my car made a aweful noise and I could not go anywhere! I was sranded in the dark on a hillside with the kids. I had my car towed home to discover the frame of my car has split at the a-arm, the engine cradle has caused this problem. My insurance wont pay this is our only car and my kids have medical needs please help !”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. While driving 50 mph, the steering wheel caught fire. A police report was not filed. The contact extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. While starting the vehicle, the check engine indicator illuminated and an abnormal noise was heard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“Car stalls without warning while in motion. No check engine lights or sputtering. Took it to the mechanic and they changed the water pump after diagnosing that as an issue, got about a week and it happened again in traffic. Very scary. Started and got up the road about a mile then sied again. Mechanics are baffled.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. The contact stated that the anti theft security system pass lock failed and caused the engine not to start and the odometer reading to increase. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,500.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. While driving at low speeds, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic five times. The technician diagnosed that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000. Ma 10/19/2015 updated 11/28/2017*cn”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 (na) saturn l200. The contact stated that while the engine was turned on, the odor of fuel was present inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the fuel pump was faulty and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Check your exact L200 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Saturn L200 reliable?
NHTSA has 138 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Saturn L200. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Saturn L200 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Saturn L200 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.