Model year record

2003 Saturn L200

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 207 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V245000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 291,652
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-06-02
Owners notified: 2005-10-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V158000

Seat belts

Component: Seat belts
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 20,701
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-04-20
Owners notified: 2005-04-25

Defect description

CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.

Safety risk

IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V231000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 239,993
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-06-23
Owners notified: 2003-07-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V283000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component: Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,448
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-10-29
Owners notified: 2002-11-06

Defect description

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.

Safety risk

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	35	56,000 mi
Exterior lighting	11	17,000 mi
Engine	9	124,326 mi
Engine and engine cooling	9	67,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	8	60,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	8	48,000 mi
Steering	7	106,000 mi
Air bags	6	82,075 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	5	84,000 mi
Interior lighting	5	15,758 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	68,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	4	135,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	3	500 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	62,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	44,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	72,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	15,758 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	3	77,500 mi
Suspension	3	70,507 mi
Tires	3	15,000 mi
Visibility	3	47,233 mi
Equipment	2	75 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	47,233 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable	2	31,000 mi
Power train	2	135,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	2	54,000 mi
Seat belts	2	68,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	60,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	2	—
Structure: body	2	76,000 mi
Unknown or other	2	122,900 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	28,888 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	2	500 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	40,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	2,500 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	17,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	1	32,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	1	48,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	15,758 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	48,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	156,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	20,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	44,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	27,008 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	15,758 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	38,252 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	57,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	83,000 mi
Service brakes	1	122,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	4,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	4,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	4,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	4,000 mi
Steering: column	1	124,274 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	62,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm	1	32,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	15,758 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	90,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	1	15,758 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	750 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	—
Visibility: windshield	1	43,400 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	1	75,000 mi
Wheels	1	152,000 mi

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.