VehicleVerdict

2000 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 2000 Saturn SL has 36 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

36

Transmission complaints

18%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

SL transmission complaints by model year42 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 13 complaints1993: 28 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 42 complaints1996: 37 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 34 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 36 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 22 complaints
SL transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

00V310000TransmissionOctober 12, 2000 · 65,000 units

Defect

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. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

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. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

What owners report

HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION CASING HAD A BAD LEAK WIRING HARNESS FROM IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILIES LIFE AT RISK RATTLES REAL BAD IN REAR PORTION OF CAR HEATER QUIT WORKING

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 15, 2003 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2000 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 36 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SL transmission — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Saturn SL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V310000.

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.