Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Saturn LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
Vehicle pulled when braking. Symptoms started on a Monday as a light pull. More noticeable above 50 MPH, and not noticeable below 35. By Thursday morning, pull was severe above 50mph. Stayed till after 6:00 at night to avoid traffic. Ride home was "entertaining" as steering wheel did not always go back to "center" when going straight. I thought I needed a steering rack until I inspected the vehicle on Saturday. My inspection showed that front subframe (a.k.a. Engine cradle) failed where the "passenger side lower control arm rear bushing was attached". A sizable piece of frame ripped out, with bushing still attached to lower control arm. Rusted perforations in subframe visible approximately 6" behind where frame failed. Two sets of rims (summer and winter) with no "dings" testifies that vehicle never even hit a curb in 170,000 miles. 4 cylinder, so no exhaust nearby to "weaken steel". …
Driving down the road the vehicle started making noise and steering was uncontrollable. I trailered the vehicle back home. Closer inspection revealed the front subframe/engine cradle was completely rusted through in multiple spots, very dangerous!!! I contacted the dealer to get a new subframe and I was advised the subframe is no longer available and to try finding one in a salvage yard. I contacted a salvage yard and they said they had a few and it would be no problem to pull one. I got the call today saying they were sorry but all of the front subframes on the Saturn l series they have are rusted through and are not usable. I contacted other yards with the same response. I ended up having to find a salvage yard down south that had a usable subframe. I went online to find numerous forum posts discussing this topic and I'm finding it is very common on this vehicle. …
When I went to get new tires for this car I was told there was a problem with my frame and should go right to a dealership. I contacted Saturn and they authorized it for me to go to my nearest dealership, at the dealers convenience and my expense for a review of the problem. I made the appointment but in the mean time the front wheels stated to shake and shimmy. I was losing control of the car, so I pulled into the nearest repair shop and was given the advice to leave this car parked. Do not drive it at all. Contacting Saturn at this point they refused to even look into this problem. Never have I heard of a frame supporting the engine, and front wheels ever rusting through on a car before. They said it was my choice to have it fixed, therefore they had no obligation to look into this any longer. I believe I had no choice other than to get it fixed right there and then. …
I was driving a 98 Toyota tacoma on a 45 MPH highway when a pedestrian in the road caused all lanes of traffic to suddenly stop. I was unable to stop in time and went into the median to avoid an accident. I was unable to keep my vehicle in the median and struck the 2000 Saturn coupe drivers side fender to drivers side fender. Upon impact the body of the Saturn burst into 12 to 14 inch shards of whatever the body is made of, (perhaps fiberglass or something similar). One such shard shattered the drivers window and impaled me through my left shoulder and lodged itself protruding slightly from my back. The emergency responders were unable to stop the bleeding so I was airlifted to ormc for emergency surgery, and am lucky to have survived. The surgeon stated that another inch would have meant me bleeding out in the road. That vehicle should not have shot deadly projectiles upon impact.
This happened very suddenly. I applied the brake to enter the ramp to the highway and the car pulled to the left and made a noise. I thought it May be a bearing or brake problem but I had not had any issues before that so I went on since it seamed to be driving OK. While I was on the interstate I went to go into the left lane and realized there was a serious problem with the steering. I slowed down and got off the highway to the shop. I was told there the k frame had less than 1/2" before breaking completely and could have been a serious accident since it has to do with steering. I have regular maint on the car and there was no indication that this might happen. The underside is in very good shape. I had the frame replaced. I feel it was a defect in the frame. I'm sure im not the only one this has happened too.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Saturn lseries. The contact stated that while traveling 45 MPH, the vehicle began independently steering to the left. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where it was confirmed that the failure was caused by corrosion of the sub frame. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 165,000. Updated 10/25/12 updated 11/08/12 ..updated 11/14/12 updated 11/15/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Saturn ls1. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an unrelated problem and the technician noticed that the frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the vehicle lunged forward independently. The failure occurred four times. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
4 cylinder shot, engine shot.this 2000 ls2 v-6 had the whole 100,000 mile maintenance done, timing chain bla bla bla.electric windows,4 ways hazards, turn signals,engine,A/C-heater,blower motor,handles broke-interior only,car ran good when it ran but when it stopped it always costs money.
Body complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 Saturn LS, 7% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Saturn LS body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2000 Saturn LS, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Saturn LS body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure 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.