Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 Saturn LS

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 544 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 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 00V228003

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
156,305
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-07
Owners notified
2000-08-24

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V345000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
36,848
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-02
Owners notified
1999-12-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V199000

Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,395
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-26
Owners notified
1999-07-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V197000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,300
Reported to NHTSA
1999-07-26
Owners notified
1999-07-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling6786,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3677,000 mi
Electrical system3064,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights3057,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2081,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1748,000 mi
Tires1640,000 mi
Suspension14117,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1154,050 mi
Unknown or other1186,000 mi
Engine10102,012 mi
Exterior lighting10152,680 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline991,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission943,000 mi
Steering9102,012 mi
Structure: body: door955,525 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch839,114 mi
Structure: body860,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor743,500 mi
Vehicle speed control7104,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module627,266 mi
Power train6102,999 mi
Suspension: front627,319 mi
Suspension: rear6—
Air bags: frontal593,000 mi
Equipment569,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic598,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system59,011 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields580,150 mi
Electrical system: ignition451,824 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system493,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch489,018 mi
Fuel system, gasoline4138,000 mi
Service brakes4106,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt442,000 mi
Air bags3150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring349,744 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3185,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights330,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal37,704 mi
Power train: clutch assembly323,655 mi
Power train: manual transmission357,010 mi
Seats3154,182 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components335,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads343,500 mi
Steering: column327,000 mi
Structure3197,000 mi
Structure: frame and members3130,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls361,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel295,768 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: horn261,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2197,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2—
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2122,216 mi
Fuel system, other2126,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2150,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip224,229 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm298,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion236,800 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack245,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control260,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor262,000 mi
Wheels280,150 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1108,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash161,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1117,650 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1122,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch161,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly154,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline143,000 mi
Seat belts1170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1131,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler149,879 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads162,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: electric power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections135,800 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid162,000 mi
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly162,000 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly136,800 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: valve16,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal177,000 mi
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover1—

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

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.