Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I have a 2000 Saturn ls2. I was approaching a red light. I downshifted from 3rd to 2nd without incident. When I tried to shift down to 1st, I heard a pop and the gear shift lever was completely disconnected to the linkage. This was very disconcerting. When I called the mechanic and told them what happened the first question was 'do you have a Saturn?" I found out that this problem is caused by failure of a plastic bushing which costs less than $20 but which Saturn is charging $800 to replace along with a lot of other parts. They will not sell just the bushing. I bought one on ebay for $19.99. If this happened on the freeway or while pulling into traffic causing a stall, it could result in a serious accident. I suggested that Saturn ought to be fixing this for free and they laughed at me.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Saturn ls1. He stated the vehicle was consuming large quantities of engine oil. The dealer stated the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken for a second opinion to a local mechanic where the power steering reservoir was replaced and the failure ceased. On a separate occasion, while driving at speeds of over 10 MPH or attempting a left or right turn, the vehicle would lose power. Also, while in the reverse mode, the vehicle would stall. The dealer could not duplicate the problem. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer over 4 additional times and the failure could not be duplicated. There were no recalls on the vehicle and no further repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were under 103,000.
I have a 2000 ls1 Saturn. I bought it brand new. In the past year I have had to take it in other than for maintenance because something has gone wrong. October 2002- my hydraulics went out of my clutch causing me to be stalled without a car. A few months ago it was recalled due to something gone wrong in the rear axle. So Saturn replaced it. On Thursday, October 16, 2003, I took it in again because I was hearing a rubbing noise when I made sharp left turns. Turns out I need a $1400 new steering rack because there is an internal leak from my power steering fluid. My car only has 36,800 miles on it. But of course the warranty ran out 800 miles ago. I don't think a fairly new car should be having all these problems.
This 2000 Saturn ls1 was purchased new 1/12/00. On 3/20/01 and 23655 miles, the car was taken to the dealer due to clutch pedal low to the floor and it was difficult to shift gears. They replaced the concentric slave cylinder. On 5/28/02 and 46235 miles, the car was taken to the dealer due to ses light on and running rough in r, 1rst, and 2nd gear. They replaced the concentric slave cylinder. On 11/29/04 and 79906 miles, the car had to be towed to the dealer due to the clutch pedal not holding pressure and the gears could not be shifted. They replaced the concentric slave cylinder. The same part is failing every 20 to 30 thousand miles with no explanation from the Saturn service reps.
Over 3.5 years that I have owned my 2000 Saturn lw2 wagon, there have been recurring problems with severe engine misfires and extremely rough shifting of automatic transmission, accompanied by "service" or "service engine soon" dashboard lights coming on. Two different Saturn dealers have repeatedly investigated and found "computer diagnostic codes" proving that "something" did happen, but repeatedly say that there is neither diagnosis of the root cause nor cure that can be applied, other than the band-aid of "resetting the computer" and telling me to go on my way, that will be fifty bucks please. In two cases this problem caused a complete breakdown requiring the car to be towed.
I started the car and backed out of the driveway when a put it in forward it stalled. It started again and I drove to my destination. It also started again and I was able to return home. While I was driving to and from my appointment I could not maintain speed going up hills on the highway. When I went to start the car the next day it turned over but did not start. From there on it would not turn over at all. My mechanic says there no compression on any of the cylinders and it is most likely the timing chain.
I purchased a 2000 Saturn LS 1 from carmax with 63,000 miles on it in September, 2007. Since February, 2008, I have spent more than $2,600 in repairs on the car; $1,600 was the timing chain which broke when the car only had 73,000 miles on it! I was told this was not a typical problem and that it was early for it to have broken. I see through my research that this is not untypical and is a frequent problem.
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.
The master clutch cylinder (actuator) on my 2000 Saturn LS manual transmission leaked internally permaturely causing a difficulty and sometimes inability to change gears. The car has 57,000 miles on it and Saturn refused to fix the problem at their cost.
Transmission failure/replacement at 50,000 odometer reading on 2000 Saturn lw2, engine l81 3.0 liter v-6, VIN [redacted].....on October 6, 2003 I was advised by the service manager of Saturn of woodbridge (virginia) that. My 2000 Saturn lw2 needed a new transmission at a cost of $3,800. The vehicle had just undergone the 51,000 scheduled maintenance. The automatic transmission was replaced on October 9, 2003 at a cost to me of $1,500. It is my considered opinion that an automobile transmission is not supposed to fail without explained/anticipated reason at such low mileage. Purchased new by me on May 27, 2000, every scheduled 3000 mile maintenance was completed on schedule. From April to October 2003 the service-engine-light illuminated several times but the service section at the dealership stated that nothing registered on the computer. …
Transmission complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Saturn LS, 7% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Saturn LS transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
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.