Known Recalls

Model year record

2000 Saturn SL

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 202 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V310000

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
65,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-12
Owners notified
2000-10-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V309000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
6,092
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-12
Owners notified
2000-10-06

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Safety risk

FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V297000

Structure: body

Component
Structure: body
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
7,505
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-27
Owners notified
1999-10-29

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V280000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
265,698
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-20
Owners notified
1999-10-29

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V231000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
5,373
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-24
Owners notified
1999-08-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PIPE ATTACHMENT NUTS THAT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Safety risk

IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V230000

Unknown or other

Component
Unknown or other
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
2,692
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-23
Owners notified
1999-08-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN QUALITY STANDARDS.

Safety risk

A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V232000

Structure: body: bumpers

Component
Structure: body: bumpers
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,592
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-23
Owners notified
1999-08-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.

Safety risk

IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING, THE REAR BUMPER MAY NOT ABSORB ENERGY AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission2251,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1183,000 mi
Tires11—
Electrical system1020,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1060,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition712,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Power train673,568 mi
Unknown or other673,568 mi
Vehicle speed control530,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch440,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights433,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission456,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner4—
Steering473,568 mi
Suspension4—
Air bags389,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip389,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor325,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Structure: body: door3—
Suspension: front3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer319,000 mi
Air bags: frontal282,176 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2—
Electrical system: ignition: module218,000 mi
Engine296,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system298,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system253,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe226,920 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly277,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Steering: rack and pinion2—
Structure: body2198,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Wheels2120,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash118,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control121,476 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights: switch118,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system118,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch156,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Service brakes1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)175,000 mi
Steering: linkages1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Unknown1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2001 model has about 1.5 times 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.