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 2000 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I turned my car into a parking lot, and the engine suddenly just quit working. After several minutes I was able to restart the car, it also happened again while I was stopped at a red light, and again when I made a left turn into another park lot,all on the same day in less than 1 1/2 hours total time. I have had this problem repeatedly over the last about seven years. I was told when I first had trouble with the ignition housing coming loose, not to put any other keys on the key ring, and I only have the car key on the chain. I have had the ignition changed twice, and this May be the third time, on the last time I was told there were pieces of metal in the ignition that probably caused the problem. My concern is what if this had happened on the beltway instead of the street, or while I was driving (which it did,but the street was empty) instead of stopped.
Had a few months, hot summer and key would not turn in ignition. Manual that came with car said this could happen and if it did to turn the wheel, jiggle the shift, etc. Would not have this trouble except in hot weather. On oct 29, 2010 I had lock cylinder & keys replaced at my expense by an authorized GM dealership. Now it is doing it again (6/26/2014) with only 44,000 actual miles on it. Only authorized dealership has ever worked on this vehicle. This has happened to my daughter who has a newer Saturn and to a Saturn of my granddaughters. I hate to have to spend another $310 at my expense to fix this known defect.
I inserted the key to start the car and the cylinder would not turn; the steering wheel locked; had to have the car towed. Happened again 4-3-08 and had another new key cylinder installed, odometer then 35449. It still feels "sticky" when I turn the key and feels like it could easily happen again. I looked on-line and this is a common problem. Now I drive the car as little as possible. I don't want to be stuck somewhere with a locked steering wheel. I'm reporting this now because of the recent ignition problems with the saturns.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Saturn SL. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and it was coasted to the emergency lane. The contact made several failed attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The ignition switch, ignition control module and cylinder were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Saturn SL. The contact stated that while traveling at unknown speeds, the key could be removed and the vehicle would continue to operate as normal. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire ignition system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Saturn sl1. The contact stated that the ignition would malfunction. The key would not turn or release out of the ignition. Occasionally, the vehicle would stay on with the key out of the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure persists. The current mileage was 98,000 and failure mileage was 12,000.
Key falls out of ignition while driving! This needs to be recalled with all of the other GM vehicles. This is a danger and someone is going to get seriously injured! Step up GM and fix the cost cutting corners you cut and put your customers at risk!
Ignition first started releasing the keys with out the car being turned off. Then the ignition ceased up and would not allow the key to enter more than half way. The lock up was due in part of the buzzer switch.
Electrical complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Saturn SL, 18% of the model year's 148 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Saturn SL electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2000 Saturn SL, though it has 7 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 SL electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 54% 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.