2000 Saturn LS: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 382 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (34% 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 382 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The whole subframe on my 2000 saturn ls is rotted so bad that I can't even drive the vehicle. It started with my car not starting and putting it up on a lift to see what the problem was. That not starting problem is a bad resonator, but in the process the subframe was found to be seriously rotted away. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2020
“While driving down the interstate my timing chain snapped. Car lost power and put me and my family at risk of an accident.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving 70 mph, the vehicle randomly stalled without warning. The contact had to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that that there was an internal failure where the timing belt prematurely fractured into the motor and fractured the valves. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving at any speed, the turn signal did not automatically disengage. The contact had to manually disengage the signal. There was no warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the turn signal cancel cam assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,704.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2016
“Nothing, thank god had happened yet, but it will in a matter of time, how much time I have no idea. The problem is the motor cradle or frame is rusting out, the front where the motor sets had wholes rusted in it, the whole thing is rusting away.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn ls. While driving at approximately 65 mph, there was smoke coming from the steering wheel into the vehicle and the high beams activated without being prompted. The high beams failed to turn off causing the contact to detach the headlights. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,680.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2015
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Took car to have struts replaced and was told the sub frame had rusted away to make the car unsafe to drive,always checked the body and frame yearly for rust on chassis and uni body so there would not be any potential problem s. I live in the northeast part of the usa.. The problem with the sub frame is it rusts from the inside out so it makes inspection extremely hard to see. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2014
“My car drives like its coughing and sometimes it cuts off on me, and my brake lights work sometime, I have had people honk to tell me my lights not working then they will pop on when they get ready. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INOPERATIVE VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THEY WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM IN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT WORK OR MAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER OR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. IF THE VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ARE NOT FLASHING, THEN THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT BE FLASHING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES IN THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVER PRESSURE RELIEF (OPR) VALVE THAT CAN BECOME STUCK OPEN IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY SEAL THE OUTLET PORT OF THE OPR VALVE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
How other years compare
Check your exact LS 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 2000 Saturn LS reliable?
NHTSA has 382 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Saturn LS. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Saturn LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Saturn LS have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights. 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.