2000 Saturn SL problems
Owners have filed 202 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SL with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 17.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of power train at 17.8%.
Complaints202
Crashes12
Fires6
Injuries14
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 17.8% · 36
Power train 17.8% · 36
Electrical system 14.9% · 30
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.9% · 14
Tires 5.9% · 12
Steering 5.4% · 11
Visibility 3.5% · 7
Suspension 3.5% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 14 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Saturn SL in this data, 2000 sits 8th by complaint volume. 1995 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 19 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 60,000 miles.
In owners' own words
When I start my car or park it after driving the rpms shoot up extremely high & the engine races. When I shut the car off the engine makes a loud clunk due to shutting it off with the rpms that high. I have had it diagnosed several times & no one knows what is wrong. I had the air idle sensor replaced thinking it was the problem but it is not. This is very bad for the engine. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 95,000 miles
The consumer was told that a risk pin fell from the vehicle. The consumer stated while she was driving she started to hear a loud knocking noise. The next day after a couple of phone calls, she had her vehicle towed to a Saturn dealer. It was determined that a new engine was needed. Engine and engine cooling
The consumer stated that the check engine light came on and stayed on. The vehicle only had 60000 miles and was three years old. It was determined that when one of the heater core hoses blew. The consumer felt it was not normal wear. *Ak *nlm Engine and engine cooling · reported at 60,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…