Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Saturn L200 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Preceeding the two electrical fires in my vehicle, I had intermittent issues with shorts in the electrical system (the locks unlocking/locking at random; lights going on and off and the alarm system triggering even when not set). There was also leakage from somewhere in the car (either through the windshield or elsewhere in the front) that was quite noticeable during a heavy storm. Earlier this year, I was exiting a parking garage when I first saw and then smelled smoke coming from out of the dash. The electrical wires shorted out and caused a fire that melted a portion of the wiring in the front of the car. The dealership could not repair the car for several days and during a storm two days later, the entire system shorted out again (lights and other components would not turn off) and the battery completely discharged. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. While driving at any speed or even while the vehicle is in park, the headlights turn on and off, the gauges constantly flash on the instrument panel, the door locks will lock and unlock themselves, and the windows will roll down and back up automatically. The windows are currently inoperative due to this failure. Whenever the contact drives the vehicle, he smells burning wires, but there is no smoke. He feels that the vehicle is extremely dangerous to drive. He took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the body control module was the cause of the failure. The contact did not get the vehicle repaired because he believes it should be covered under a recall due to the safety risk involved. The manufacturer stated that the owner was responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn l-series. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, it would not start and smoke began to rise from underneath the hood. An independent mechanic arrived and disconnected the battery. The vehicle was in the process of being towed to an authorized dealer. The authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 03V231000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saturn L200. While parked, the key failed to release from the ignition switch and an unknown warning indicator illuminated. After removing the key, the contact discovered that it was bent and the vehicle would not restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Light flashing on dash board, climate control goes on and off ,oil light keep coming on and of. Everything that's electric like the sun roof. Am afraid of getting stuck in the middle of a high way. Please help me. [redacted]. I like to know if this car is on recall. Thank you. We are second owner
Tl*- while driving a 2003 Saturn l 200 at a speed of 25 MPH the wiring harness from the steering column caught on fire. The contact had to pull vehicle over and turn the power completely off. When contact turned the vehicle off the wiring harness stopped burning. Before incident there was no prior warning. The contact took vehicle into dealer and they replaced the wiring harness.
Three times in the past few years, while driving the vehicle's electrical system would shut off, leaving the passengers stranded. After awhile, the vehicle electrical system would because functional. Twice, the vehicle elcectrical system was checked, and no problems were found. Note: the last date and mileage noted below of the vehicle is approx.
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.
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.
Sometimes would have a hard time starting the car or the car would not start at all. After about a week,the check engine light and passenger seat airbag light would come on. When these lights were on, the speedometer and tachometer did not work. Shortly after that the engine lock light came on and then nothing worked. The defrost front and rear, A/C, heating control, interior lights, airbag failure light lit up, seat belt light lit up and the self locking for the doors did not engage when putting the car into gear. Sometimes I would turn the car off and about a half an hour later, the exterior lights would come on all by themselves, sometimes draining the battery if I did not notice this. I felt totally unsafe driving the car when this would happen - I had no safety features to rely on and I did not even know if I would have a car that would run. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
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.
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…
Electrical complaints in other L200 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Saturn L200?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Saturn L200, 36% of the model year's 138 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saturn L200 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-231 (module, Jun 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Saturn L200 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.