FaultScore

2000 Saturn LS electrical problems

64 of the 544 complaints about the 2000 Saturn LS are about the electrical system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 61,000 miles.

B

64

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Electrical System 30 46.9%
Switch 8 12.5%
Module 6 9.4%
Ignition 4 6.3%
Wiring 3 4.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 3.1%
Horn 2 3.1%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 2 3.1%
Rear Compartment/Trunk 2 3.1%
Instrument Cluster/Panel 2 3.1%

Electrical System across every Saturn LS year

2000 64 24.8%
2001 82 31.8%
2002 112 43.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 106,000 miles Detroit, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR LEAKING OIL - NOW ENGINE TROUBLE

NHTSA complaint #11072426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dacula, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT BURNED THE SOCKETS AND WIRES CAUSING THE BULBS TO SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS THREE TIMES AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V245000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10690010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Ozark, MO

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.

NHTSA complaint #10661867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ST. Louis, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR SATURN 2000 LS "KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE IGNITION IS NOT IN THE "OFF" POSITION. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING OUR SATURN LS. WE HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON OUR SATURN VUE SUV REGARDING "KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE IGNITION IS NOT IN THE "OFF" POSITION. THANK YOU,

NHTSA complaint #10652315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,000 miles Wantagh, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE KEY WOULD TURN AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA complaint #10632470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 253,625 miles Traverse City, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN LS 1 THAT I HAD BOUGHT IN JUNE 14 2012 @ THE US TRUCK & AUTO ON US. 31 SOUTH HERE IN TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN 49685. THE SALESPERSON'S NAME IS[XXX]. I WAS ON CRAIGS LIST LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE CAR AND I CAME UPON US TRUCK & AUTO AND WYANE WOULD NOT LET ME TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT RUNNING CONDITION UNTIL MARCH 14,2014 MY WHEEL CAME OFF AT A STOPLIGHT GETTING TO GO ON GREEN BUT DIDN'T MOVE FAR. AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR THE DOME LIGHT WASN'T WORKING AND A WIRE HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE DAYTIME HEAD LAMP AND BURNED OUT TAIL LIGHTS. SINCE I PURCHASED IT AT A CAR DEALERSHIP I TOOK THEY HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BUT LEARNED LATER THAT WAYNE DOES NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE VEHICLES INSPECTED THAT HE PUTS ON HIS LOTS BUT SELLS LEMONS. HE WOULD RATHER SALE A LEMON OR A VEHICLE THAT WILL IN DANGER A PERSON THEN TO FOLLOW THE LAWS AND MAKE SURE THE VEHICLES ARE ROAD SAFE BEFORE HE SELLS THEM. I NEEDED A CAR BECAUSE I HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAS ISSUES WITH HER BACK AND LEGS PLUS WE LIVE 7 TO 8 MILES OUT OF TRAVERSE CITY, MI AND DON'T HAVE MUCH MONEY TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING RIGHT NOW. MY FRIEND AND I LOVE THIS CAR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE FAIRLY NEW. WE HAVE TRIED TO ASK FOR HELP GETTING THE CAR FIXED FROM CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS BUT EVEN THEY BARELY HAVE THE MONEY TO HELP. THE BUSES HERE REFUSE TO WORK FOR US AND TAXIS ARE WAY TO MUCH MONEY TO TAKE US SHOPPING FOR FOOD OR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS. PLEASE HELP US GET OUR CAR FIXED OR MAYBE EVEN A DIFFERENT 4 CYLINDER CAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10598667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Winter Park, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR RUNS OK AND AFTER 1 HOUR OF RUNNING AND YOU SHUT IT DOWN IT WONT START. I'VE REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH, NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH, CRANK SENSOR. AND PROBLEM REMAINS' HAVE TO JUMP OUT THE STARTER IT ORDER TO START IT. I THINK THE IGNITION HOUSING AND KEY SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. I GOT NO INDICATION THE PASS LOCK SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10592718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntersville, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

JUST READ THE RECALL ON GM CARS DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION. MY DAUGHTER OWNED A 2000 SATURN LS UNTIL JULY 2012 (WHEN SHE TRADED IT IN) AND ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, IT ALSO STOPPED RUNNING AS SHE WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10565955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WASN'T IN A ACCIDENT THANK GOD BUT I BOUGHT THIS CAR GOING ON A YEAR FROM A AUCTION AND IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO NOTICED THE BACK TAIL LIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT AND THEN JUST WOULDN'T COME BACK ON I TRIED EVERYTHING. AD OF 10/6/2013. I CHANGE THE FUSES THE BRAKE. LIGHTS CAME ON FOR ONE NIGHT AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.SO NOTICED THAT IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS. AND I WANTED.TO SEE IF I COULD STILL GET IT FIXED ON THE RECALL BECAUSE I CANT DRIVE MY CAR LIKE THIS AND IT NEED TO BE FIXED. AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS CAR AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL AND THIS IS SERIOUS AND ANY OTHER RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT NEED TO BE FIXED I NEED IT.

NHTSA complaint #10547216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Olathe, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND STARTS BLINKING ALSO THE TAIL LAMP BULB MELTS THE PLASTIC ON BULB.

NHTSA complaint #10531873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Spring Valley, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE INTAKE SENSOR, SPEED SENSOR AND VARIOUS OTHER COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TURN SIGNALS ALSO BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION, IT WAS ABNORMALLY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #10482334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Warnersville`, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN L. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PATH LOCK ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM FAILED AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM BEING STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10392380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Minneola, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10369607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED IN MY 2000 SATURN LS2 SEDAN. AS EXPECTED, I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DIAGNOSIS I RECEIVED WAS QUITE INTERESTING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEFT BANK 02 SENSOR FAILURE (2 BANK SYSTEM) AND THAT THE CAR'S COMPUTER FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT IF I DON'T REPLACE THE COMPUTER, I CAN CONTINUE TO EXPECT MAJOR COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE 02 SENSOR BUT WANTS OVER $1,000 TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER! I REPORTED THE DEFECTS TO THE MANUFACTURER POINTING OUT THAT THIS IS THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK FOR ME. I HAVE HAD EVERY SINGLE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ITEM AND ALL RECOMMENDED SERVICE AND REPAIRS DONE AT SATURN DEALERSHIPS SINCE THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, WITH ONE OR TWO EXCEPTIONS. WHENEVER I WOULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT PROBLEMS OR COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD IN THE LAST FEW RECENT YEARS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT TO ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITIES AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MY CONCERNS WAS EVER MADE AND THE DRONES OR ROBOTS AT THE CALL CENTER KEPT REPEATING THE SAME MESSAGE ABOUT THE MILEAGE. I KNOW OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONCERNS AND THE MANUFACTURER'S HABIT OF IGNORING THE PROBLEMS DO NOT MAKE THEM GO AWAY. TOYOTA LEARNED THAT LESSON RECENTLY. SATURN OWNERS SHOULD NOT JUST BE THROWN OUT IN THE COLD BECAUSE GM HAS DECIDED THAT THEY ARE THE STEP CHILDREN OF THEIR PRODUCT LINE. I HAVE SPENT MORE MONEY IN "OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY" REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE THAN EVER SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE QUESTION OF THE DAY WOULD BE IF I GOT ALL RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, WHY DOES THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY FALL APART? GM HAS EVIDENCE THAT I WAS A REGULAR AND DILIGENT CUSTOMER WHEN IT CAME TO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. THEY NEED TO DO RIGHT BE US!

NHTSA complaint #10352900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lithonia, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I DRIVE A 2000 SATURN LS AND FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS MY SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY AND THE AC/HEAR/DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. THERE HAS BEEN A NEW SENSOR SYSTEM PLACED IN THE CAR AND I HAVE FLUSHED AND USED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND CHANGED FROM USING REGULAR TO MID GRADE GASOLINE AND I AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP (WAS SATURN IS NOW ROAD SHOW AUTO) HAS TRIED EVERYTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS.

NHTSA complaint #10335241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,000 miles Yuba City, CA

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.

NHTSA complaint #10292697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles Plainfield, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10253237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Columbia, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2000 SATURN LS1 COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN. IT WILL COST $2500 FOR A USED MOTOR AND INSTALLATION, PLUS $175 FOR THE TOW AND THE DIAGNOSTICS; AND NOW I'M ENDURING SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES WITHOUT A VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10236556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Moody, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

I OWN A 2000 SATURN LS2. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 RECALLS ON THE "L" SERIES VEHICLES. ALTHOUGH MY MODEL IS CONSIDERED THE LS SERIES, I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS WITH MY VEHICLE AS DESCRIBED WITH THE L SERIES RECALL. THE MOST RECENT WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR OF THE OXYGEN SENSORS IN MY VEHICLE WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED WITH THE L SERIES VEHICLE AND ATTRIBUTED TO THE SATURN PART KNOWN AS THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 MONTHS I NOTICED: 1. A DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY 2. A REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER 3. THE ENGINE WAS HARD TO START THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THE ICM RECALL ON THE "L" SERIES. I HAD TO REPLACE, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, ALL 4 OF THE OXYGEN SENSORS FOR THIS VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING SATURN, THEY INSISTED, BASED ON MY VIN #, THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. IT SEEMS RATHER COINCIDENTAL THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS 2 RECALLS ON THE SAME MODEL YEAR CAR FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE RECALLS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO COVER THE LS SERIES VEHICLES AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10217351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Babylon, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LW2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STOP LIGHT. THE FAILURE OCCURS SPORADICALLY. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. HE HAS NOTIFIED SATURN AND THEY ARE AWARE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART. HOWEVER, THE REPLACEMENT THAT IS BEING USED FOR THE COMPUTER MODULE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 177,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10195478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nashville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CUSTOMER HAS SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS SATURN INCLUDING IGNITION AND TIRE REPLACEMENT**CC THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE SHIFT LIGHT INDICATOR IN THE DRIVE POSITION WENT OUT WHILE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON. THE AC WAS NOT COOLING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE. THE TIRES HAD SEVER CUPPING FOLLOWING FOUR CROSS ROTATIONS DUE TO A BAD REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT UNLOCK.

NHTSA complaint #10192151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Opalocka, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

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 -

NHTSA complaint #10176487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Plainfield, IL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10175487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,768 miles Fullerton, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10175300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 39,114 miles Camarillo, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

I HAVE A 2000 SATURN L SERIES STATION WAGON, VIN [XXX]. SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS (I ESTIMATE 6 TIMES) THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. IT WOULD SLIDE IN AND OUT OK, BUT WOULD NOT TURN. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS THE WRONG KEY FOR THIS CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT TENSION ON THE STEERING WHEEL OR TRANSMISSION NOT IN PARK. NO AMOUNT OF KEY JIGGLING FREED THE LOCK. I FOUND THE PROBLEM LISTED IN A GOOGLE SEARCH. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS A TAP WITH A HAMMER ON THE KEY WHILE IT WAS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT TURNED OUT TO NEED A SIGNIFICANT SMACK. I WAS AFRAID THE KEY WOULD BE DAMAGED, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING TO LOSE AT THAT POINT. THAT WORKED THE FIRST FEW TIMES THE LOCKUP OCCURRED. SATURN SERVICE ADVISED ME NOT TO DO THAT, INSTEAD HAVE A NEW KEY CUT FROM THE KEY NUMBER. THEY THOUGHT MY KEY MAY BE WORN AND NO LONGER ACTIVATE THE TUMBLERS CORRECTLY. WE DID THAT AND THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS FOR THREE MONTHS. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN NOTHING WORKED TO FREE IT UNTIL I DID THE HAMMER TRICK. THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, AND RECOMMENDS I BRING IT IN FOR TROUBLESHOOTING. AS THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE IS, I EXPECT THEM TO DO WHAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED; WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE IGNITION LOCK SYSTEM FOR ABOUT $350. WITHOUT KNOWING THE ROOT CAUSE AND HAVING A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT THE NEW PART DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME ROOT PROBLEM, I AM RELUCTANT TO DO THAT. I HAVE THE DASH COVERS REMOVED SO WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS AGAIN I CAN TAKE THE IGNITION SWITCH APART AND GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT IS GOING ON. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012*JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10159529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cuyahoga Falls, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR, WE HAVE HAD CHRONIC PROBLEMS WITH THE HVAC SYSTEM AND OTHER MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS; RE-CHARGING THE AC THE FIRST 3 SUMMERS WE OWNED THE CAR, DETERMINING THE AC DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER GOING TO IT TO RUN PROPERLY, DASH LIGHTS GOING OUT, AUTOMATIC DOORS NOT WORKING, AND THE TAILLIGHTS GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY, AND DIFFICULTIES WITH THE WIPERS WORKING APPROPRIATELY. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CHRONICALLY GO ON, BUT THE DEALER MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AFTER READING THE CODES. WE REQUESTED THE DEALERSHIP PLEASE TRACE THE ELECTRICAL LINES TO FIND A SHORT, BUT SAID THERE WAS NONE AND THE PROBLEM WAS "FIXED". THEN, AFTER 6 YEARS OF ONGOING PROBLEMS, AND NO AC FOR 2 YEARS, THE HEATER BEGAN TO REMAIN ON FOR APPROX. 30 SECONDS AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEY WAS NO LONGER IN THE IGNITION. A WEEK LATER THE CAR FAILED TO START. A PERSONAL MECHANIC FRIEND DISCOVERED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS CROSS WIRED AND THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE RELAY FROM THE HVAC SYSTEM TO THE ENGINE. WE HAVE REPLACE THE RELAY AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE AC AND THE HEATER NOW WORK FINE. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT SATURN REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM APPROPRIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10154699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Collierville, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO DEALER 3 TIMES CONCERNING OVER A YEAR WITH A "NO START" AFTER DRIVING SUCH AS TO A STORE & VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START. THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING WHEN TRYING TO START. AFTER APPROX. 15 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR WAIT THE CAR WILL START. DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE AND STATES PASS SYSTEM IS NOT AT FAULT. WITH MY WIFE DRIVING ONE EVENING LAST WEEK SHE STOPPED TO GET GAS AND CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. SHE BECAME FEARFUL OF HER SAFETY AT NIGHT AFTER A FEW SHADY PERSONS KEPT APPROACHING HER TO ASSIST. OVER THE PAST 3 DAYS, THE CAR FAILED TO START 4 TIMES BUT AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START. THIS SITUATION IS GETTING SERIOUS BUT DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION TO RESOLVE. NOT BEING ABLE TO START A CAR IS STARTING TO BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR BOTH MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILDREN.

NHTSA complaint #10152744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2003. I PURCHASE THIS CAR IN AUGUST 2003. IN OCTOBER 2003, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WRONG TYPE BOLT WAS IN THE BATTERY CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO START. I PURCHASED THE BOLT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAD IT INSTALLED. IN OCTOBER 2004, THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED SOME TYPE OF VALVE AND THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AGAIN, THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THIS VALVE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NOVEMBER 2005, THE BLOWER FOR THE HEATING AND DEFOGGER ONLY WORKS WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT OUT IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE. IT DOES NOT WORK IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY STARTED IN THE MORNINGS. THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS 2005, WITH ONLY APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES ON THIS CAR, THE TIMING BELT BROKE. IT DID NOT DAMAGE THE MOTOR AND I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A COST OF AROUND $900.00. THIS TIME I DID NOT HAVE THE DEALERSHIP DO THE REPAIRS BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY INCONVENIENT AND EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHERE IT BROKE DOWN. WHILE LOOKING THROUGH MY OWNERS MANUAL, I NOTICED THAT IT STATED THAT MY TIMING BELT SHOULD LAST AT LEAST TO 100,000 MILES (MY THIRTEEN YEAR OLD NISSAN'S TIMING BELT LASTED UNTIL 120,000 MILES). WHEN I ADDRESSED THIS WITH YOUR CUSTOMER CARE LINE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE 100,000 MILES WAS JUST A SUGGESTION AND THAT THE BELT COULD ACTUALLY GO AT ANY TIME. I GUESS MAYBE THE WORD SUGGESTION/SUGGESTED SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE OWNERS MANUAL BECAUSE THAT IS NOT HOW I UNDERSTOOD IT WHEN I READ IT AS PRINTED. JANUARY 2006, THE CAR STARTS HARD SHIFTING AGAIN AND AGAIN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT THE SPEED OF THE CAR AND IT WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $80.00 FOR THEM TO TRACK IT DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10150245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,045 miles Ware, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING TO WORK WHEN POWER SEAT BEGAN MOVING FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. THEN SEAT SWITCH STARTED SMOKING A LOT. I THEN PULLED OVER EXITED VEHICLE AND HAD SOMEONE NOTIFY FIRE DEPT IN WEST BROOKFIELD MA. I THEN DISCONNECTED BATTERY FIRE DEPT REMOVED SWITCH AND INSPECTED SEAT TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT ON FIRE. THE SWITCH ITSELF WAS TOASTED THE WIRING TO THE SWITCH WAS FINE, ALSO THE FUSE TO THE SEAT DID BLOW OUT. I WILL CONTACT DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT SWITCH. I ALSO DO HAVE THE BURNT OUT SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #10136800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Detroit, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. THE CONTACT STATES THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DO NOT WORK. THE WINDOWS, THE HORN, AND BRAKES LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS, BUT THE WINDOW, HORN, SPEAKER, DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL, AND THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AT ONE TIME. THE CONSUMER INDICATES WHEN SHE ROLLED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN AND BACK UP THAT WAS WHEN EVERY THING QUIT WORKING. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THAT EACH COMPONENT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10135873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2000 Saturn LS problems

← Full 2000 Saturn LS report