2000 SATURN LS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
544
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
58
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 2000 SATURN LS
The 2000 SATURN LS has received a total of 544 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, SEAT BELTS. 58 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (67 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (36 complaints), and Electrical System (30 complaints).
Recalls for the 2000 SATURN LS
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2000 SATURN LS, potentially affecting up to 727,493 vehicles.
Recall 05V245000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 291,652 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 03V231000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
| 239,993 vehicles affected
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...
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....
View full details →Recall 00V228003 — SEAT BELTS
| 156,305 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 99V345000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
| 36,848 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 99V197000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 1,300 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 99V199000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
| 1,395 vehicles affected
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...
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2000 SATURN LS
544 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2000 SATURN LS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
I am listing this vehicle identification number to fulfill your request on the safety complaint form, however I believe what I am about to share is an issue that applies to all vehicles on the road today, regardless of their source of motive power, if they have a hydraulic-brake system. I believe the current federal specifications for brake lines are too susceptible to corrosion, and although the materials brake lines are made of on most vehicles, probably meet Federal standards. Federal standards for this and other vehicle parts should evolve more frequently, sensitive to modernization and field experience. Corrosion-resistant brake lines are available and Federal statutes should be upgraded to specify they be constructed of more durable material and also be positioned in vehicles to increase their ease of replacement. Replacement of just the rusted sections of my rear brake lines cost me approximately $3000, and most of that cost was driven by brake line inaccessibility. Brake lines are typically one of the first components installed during vehicle assembly and several layers of components are then placed over them. Given the difficulty of replacement they should be one of the most durable components in the vehicle and calculated to last an appropriate multiple of the vehicle’s service life that is economically feasible.
THE WHOLE SUBFRAME ON MY 2000 SATURN LS IS ROTTED SO BAD THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING AND PUTTING IT UP ON A LIFT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THAT NOT STARTING PROBLEM IS A BAD RESONATOR, BUT IN THE PROCESS THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE SERIOUSLY ROTTED AWAY. *TR
THE WHOLE SUBFRAME ON MY 2000 SATURN LS IS ROTTED SO BAD THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING AND PUTTING IT UP ON A LIFT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THAT NOT STARTING PROBLEM IS A BAD RESONATOR, BUT IN THE PROCESS THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE SERIOUSLY ROTTED AWAY. *TR
THE WHOLE SUBFRAME ON MY 2000 SATURN LS IS ROTTED SO BAD THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH MY CAR NOT STARTING AND PUTTING IT UP ON A LIFT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THAT NOT STARTING PROBLEM IS A BAD RESONATOR, BUT IN THE PROCESS THE SUBFRAME WAS FOUND TO BE SERIOUSLY ROTTED AWAY. *TR
CAR LEAKING OIL - NOW ENGINE TROUBLE
Safety Rating for the 2000 SATURN LS
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2000 SATURN LS in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2000 SATURN LS
General Motors, LLC has issued 58 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2000 SATURN LS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
01-T-53A — EQUIPMENT
This bulletin provides an updated repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a musty odor from A/C system, most noticeable at vehicle start-up.
990091002D — SUSPENSION
STEERING WHEEL SHAKE OR VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TT UPDATE. *TT
040601009 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK FROM FRONT COVER SEAL DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. *TT
3099 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
ROUTING THE LONGER TUNED POWER STEERING HOSE PER TSB 03-02-32-045. *SC
030232045 — STEERING
MOAN OR GROAN NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. *TT
030138007 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING ELIMINATION OF FRONT AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL ELBOW IN PLACE OF PUMP. *TT
030601015 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERVICE MANUAL UPDATE FOR REMOVAL OF THE SEALER USED ON OIL PUMP GASKET DURING OIL PUMP INSTALLATION. *TT
030604016 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) CONNECTOR AND TERMINAL LOCATIONS ON SATURN V6 ENGINES. *TT
02T86 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING ELIMINATION OF AUXILIARY WATER PUMP AND INSTRUMENTS TO INSTALL 2ND DESIGN HEATER INLET HOSE AND HEATER INLET ELBOW IN PLACE OF THE 1ST DESIGN WATER PUMP AND HEATER INLET HOSE. *TT
02T77 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHISTLE NOISE FROM POWER STEERING WHILE TURNING LEFT. *TT
Showing 10 of 58 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2000 SATURN LS
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2000 SATURN LS.
Investigation PE99064 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES Closed
Opened:
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
Other Model Years of the SATURN LS
- 1999 SATURN LS — 0 complaints
- 2000 SATURN LS (current)
- 2001 SATURN LS — 708 complaints
- 2002 SATURN LS — 631 complaints
- 2004 SATURN LS — 2 complaints
Other SATURN Models
- SATURN ION — 5,467 total complaints
- SATURN VUE — 3,269 total complaints
- SATURN SL — 2,891 total complaints
- SATURN AURA — 2,222 total complaints
- SATURN OUTLOOK — 1,939 total complaints
- SATURN SKY — 623 total complaints
- SATURN SC1 — 554 total complaints
- SATURN SC — 379 total complaints