Most common 2000 Saturn SL problems
Share of the 148 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SL complaints by model year
Best SL years: 2001, 2002, 2000. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
2000 Saturn SL recalls (7)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly.
Remedy: Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.
Structure › Body
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that May not be tightened to specifications.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
Structure › Body › Bumpers
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 581, "bumper standard." these vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that May be loose or missing.
Remedy: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.
Show 1 more recall
Unknown or other
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet Saturn quality standards.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.
What 2000 Saturn SL owners say
Engine & cooling all 36 →
I purchased the vehicle from a private dealer with an as-is no warranty back in August 2007. The vehicle had a little over 88,000 miles on it. Had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic and all major items appeared to be in good working order. Approximately 1 month later, the car came due for an oil change. I had the oil changed at approximately 90,000 miles. At approximately 94,000 miles, while driving on the interstate on November 21, 2007, the engine went bang. The car jerked violently and the oil light and check engine lights came on. I was going at approximately 75-80 MPH and there was no knocking heard prior to engine failure. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the interstate and noticed smoke billowing out of the engine compartment. Immediately called 9-1-1 to report my vehicle was on fire. …
I have a 2000 Saturn sl1 (auto trans). The oil galley plug come out of the back of the engine and broke my flywheel, torque converter, and the transmission. Saturn says it is not their fault and they will not pay for it to be fixed, but this plug can not be touch without taking the whole engine out and taking the engine apart. Know this now the last one to touch this plug is Saturn when they were putting the engine together now I have to pay for their mistake, now a plug that does nothing and can not be touch or a reason to be serviced, has caused $2200 of damage. Knowing all of this, why should I pay for their mistake. Is there anyway that you can help me. Call if you can or can't help please!
Transmission & drivetrain all 35 →
1. I purchased my 2000 Saturn sl1 from a used car dealer about 2 months ago. After I started the car and shifted into reverse. For a few seconds nothing happened and I thought I was either against a bump in the pavement or it was still in neutral. I gave it more gas. Suddenly, the car slammed into reverse and I nearly lost control and backed into a car. I checked the transmission fluid level to see if more was needed. It was full. A couple days late, it did it again. Now it does it about every third reverse shift. Also the service engine soon light came on. So, I checked the computer codes and they indicated a transmission problem. I got on the internet to see what had to be done to fix it. It turns out many Saturn owners are having the same problem with their transmissions. …
Without any warning, I got in my Saturn and started it and the "service engine soon" light went on. As I put it in reverse to put it in a parking space, there was no reverse movement, only reving engine. The dealer I took it to, told me this was a "known" problem (a nut gets loose and falls off, inside the transmission. I also needed a transmission service. I was suspecious at first but I was not close to home so I paid the $440.oo. Today I find that there are identical and nearly identical complaints and that this problem is known since apr 2000, one month after I purchased the vehicle new. This is so obvious a warranty situation and I want to be reimbursed with credit card interest !!!!!
Electrical system all 26 →
Important, I do not know the dates so I had to just put in a random one. This car turned itself off on 3 occasions. I brought it to Saturn on all the incidents. I would be driving and start to break and downshift and the car would literally just turn off, and I was literally at the cars mercy till it would turn back on. As a former drivers ed instructor, I am just lucky I remained calm. At Saturn they tried to tell me this could not happen. I demanded it did, and the one time even left the car with them for a week. I seen the recall for this exact issue but that they are only recalling till the 2003's. I am therefore compelled to make sure it is known these incidents happened as far back as the 2000 models. I also am willing to testify if need be because I was so upset. I had no idea back then how to handle it, so I let it go. …
My 2000 Saturn sl2 is becoming increasingly difficult to start. When the key is inserted into the ignition it refuses to turn to the "start" position without extensive jiggling of the key. This problem surfaced four years ago and was "fixed" by the dealership. The problem has since returned and is worse than ever. This seems to point to a design defect in the ignition switch that could result in a driver and passengers being stranded without assistance in inconvenient or dangerous situations. Googling "Saturn ignition key problems" will reveal that there is quite a widespread problem with Saturn in this type of defect. Since the problem didn't go away completely I will assume that Saturn is replacing the defective ignition switch with the same defectively designed switch. Saturn needs to design an ignition switch that will not fail and use the new unit as a replacement.
2000 Saturn SL engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 34 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Saturn SL a good car?
Based on 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 SL rates average: 20% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SL at the same age. It is one of the best SL years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Saturn SL?
The engine & cooling — 36 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (35) and electrical system (26).
How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn SL have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SL, the most recent from October 12, 2000 (park/neutral start interlock switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2002 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Saturn SL years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Saturn SL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.