Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 50 | 36% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
Related recalls (1)
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn L200 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (50) model years. Electrical complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Saturn L200 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-231 (module, Jun 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn L200 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition › module (8 mentions), followed by the horn (3).
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.