VehicleVerdict

2000 Saturn LS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2000 Saturn LS sits mid-pack among LS years: 544 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 544, with 6 recalls and 7 closed investigations. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 152 reports (28% of the total).

544

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

7

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other LS years?

LS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted708 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 544 complaints2001: 708 complaints2002: 631 complaints2004: 2 complaints
LS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all LS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Saturn LS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine15228%
Lighting7414%
Electrical System6512%
Steering397%
Suspension295%
Brakes295%
Body & Structure285%
Transmission265%
Tires & Wheels255%
Other173%
Visibility & Wipers143%
Fuel System102%
Speed Control102%
Airbags81%
Seats71%
Seat Belts51%
Latches & Locks31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2000 Saturn LS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V245000LightingJune 2, 2005 · 291,652 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE (1) AN INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB OR (2) A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT OPENS A FUSE CAUSING INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMPS (INCLUDING THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

03V231000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2003 · 239,993 units

Defect

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. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

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 CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.

00V228003Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2000 · 156,305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

99V345000Fuel SystemDecember 2, 1999 · 36,848 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. FUEL TANK ASSEMBLIES IN THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVER PRESSURE RELIEF (OPR) VALVE THAT CAN BECOME STUCK OPEN IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. IF THE VEHICLE ROLLS OVER, FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR.

Consequence

IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY SEAL THE OUTLET PORT OF THE OPR VALVE.

99V197000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 1999 · 1,300 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH AN INOPERATIVE VALVE WITHIN THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IF A VEHICLE WITH AN INOPERATIVE VALVE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER, FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY VALVE IS OPERATING AS INTENDED. THEY WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY.

99V199000LightingJuly 26, 1999 · 1,395 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM IN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT WORK OR MAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER OR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. IF THE VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ARE NOT FLASHING, THEN THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT BE FLASHING.

Consequence

OTHER DRIVERS MAY NOT BE ALERTED THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WE HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT A SATURN FROM HENDERSON SATURN WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WERE COVERED FOR 24,000 MILES OR 2 YEARS OF ANY MECHANICAL DEFECTS. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE YESTERDAY AND WAS TOWED TO SATURN. WE WERE CALLED THIS MORNING AND TOLD THAT WE HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL TO TEAR DOWN THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 1, 2004 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE HIGH BEAMS ACTIVATED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE HIGH BEAMS FAILED TO TURN OFF CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DETACH THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 23, 2015 · fire

“DRIVING HOME I SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. I THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. WITH THE CAR OFF THE SMOKE CONTINUED AND THE HIGH BEAMS WERE ON. I DROVE TO SATURN AND THEY FOUND AN INTERNAL SHORT IN THE HEAD LAMP SWITCH (P/N 22679804). AT NO TIME DID ANY FUSE BLOW TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 18, 2003 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENLY FAILING. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON ALL THREE BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T WORK. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HAD ME PULLED OVER BY A POLICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 28, 2004

“FRONT END VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FEELS UNSAFE FO DRIVE. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO DEALER FOR REPAIR 7/16/01. AGAIN ON 6/23/03. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. REQUESTING GM SATURN LOOK CLOSELY AT THE PROBLEM, PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO DEALERSHIPS, AND INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 23, 2003

2000 Saturn LS — common questions

Is the 2000 Saturn LS reliable?

It is close to typical for the LS: 544 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 7 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2000 LS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (152 complaints), lighting (74 complaints), electrical system (65 complaints).

Does the 2000 Saturn LS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Saturn LS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Saturn LS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 7 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.