2000 SATURN SL

HIT MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND CAR ROLLED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR TIRE AND DRUM BROKE OFF CAR WHILE DOING 50 MILE PER HOUR

HIT MOUNTAIN HEAD ON AND CAR ROLLED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. REAR TIRE AND DRUM BROKE OFF CAR WHILE DOING 50 MILE PER HOUR

THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT BULB IT IS NOT BURNT OUT. ALL THE FUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OVER BY QUALIFIED SALESPERSON WHO HAD SHOWN ME THAT MY THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS STILL WORKING, AND YET MY BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND WORRY CONSTANTLY THAT I WILL BE STOPPED DURING THE DAY, AS I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS ONE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. I READ SOMEWHERE ON A SATURN FORUM THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OVER THIS ISSUE, BUT I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE.

THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AND NEEDS REPLACED. THE ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. OUR MECHANIC TOLD US WE'RE LOOKING AT A $1000 PLUS REPAIR. *TR

SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. SOMETIMES IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO EVEN START THE CAR AS THE SWITCH WOULD BE FROZEN IN PLACE. AFTER SOME PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD WORK. THEN THERE WERE TIMES YOU COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WITHOUT SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. WE TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. NOW THE KEY HAS TO BE LEFT IN AT ALL TIMES, YOU CAN'T REMOVE IT AT ALL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH ALL THE RECALLS REGARDING THE IGNITION IN THESE VEHICLES. NOT TO MENTION A PERSONAL CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE COULD BE EASILY STOLEN WITH A VISIBLE KEY IN THE SWITCH. *TR

I TURNED MY CAR INTO A PARKING LOT, AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY JUST QUIT WORKING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR, IT ALSO HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, AND AGAIN WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN INTO ANOTHER PARK LOT,ALL ON THE SAME DAY IN LESS THAN 1 1/2 HOURS TOTAL TIME. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPEATEDLY OVER THE LAST ABOUT SEVEN YEARS. I WAS TOLD WHEN I FIRST HAD TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION HOUSING COMING LOOSE, NOT TO PUT ANY OTHER KEYS ON THE KEY RING, AND I ONLY HAVE THE CAR KEY ON THE CHAIN. I HAVE HAD THE IGNITION CHANGED TWICE, AND THIS MAY BE THE THIRD TIME, ON THE LAST TIME I WAS TOLD THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL IN THE IGNITION THAT PROBABLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY CONCERN IS WHAT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE BELTWAY INSTEAD OF THE STREET, OR WHILE I WAS DRIVING (WHICH IT DID,BUT THE STREET WAS EMPTY) INSTEAD OF STOPPED. *TR

CAR WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN.EACH TIME YOU TURN THE KEY,IT WILL TURN OVER AND IMMEDIATELY STALL. AS IF THERE IS NO GAS GOING TO THE FUEL INJECTORS; OR THE FUEL INJECTORS STOP . NO MECHANIC CAN SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM SINCE IT NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I'M AT THE REPAIR SHOP. LIKE I SAID WHEN THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS, IT WILL LAST FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 MIN. THEN THE CAR WILL START AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. *TR

ROLL PIN ON RETAINER IN TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL SHEERED OFF CAUSING THE RETAINING PIN TO WEAR THROUGH THE BELL HOUSING AND SEIZE TRANSMISSION. A ROLL PIN IS LIKE USING A RIVET TO HOLD A VERY IMPORTANT MECHANICAL COMPONENT TOGETHER. THIS IS ANOTHER HORRIBLE GM DESIGN. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. $2300 LATER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

KEY FALLS OUT OF IGNITION WHILE DRIVING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH ALL OF THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A DANGER AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! STEP UP GM AND FIX THE COST CUTTING CORNERS YOU CUT AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS AT RISK! *TR

KEY FALLS OUT OF IGNITION WHILE DRIVING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED WITH ALL OF THE OTHER GM VEHICLES. THIS IS A DANGER AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED! STEP UP GM AND FIX THE COST CUTTING CORNERS YOU CUT AND PUT YOUR CUSTOMERS AT RISK! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE IGNITION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

JUST WANTING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING OR STILL, I CAN MOVE THE SHIFT FROM D TO N WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO UNLOCK THE SHIFTER. SAME CAN BE SAID FROM N TO R. I'VE NEVER TRIED IT WHEN IT'S MOVING, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, I CAN PUSH IT FROM D TO R. THAT WOULD BE QUITE INTERESTING TO TRY IF IT WERE SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND IT WAS COASTED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND CYLINDER WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

HAD A FEW MONTHS, HOT SUMMER AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. MANUAL THAT CAME WITH CAR SAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AND IF IT DID TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE SHIFT, ETC. WOULD NOT HAVE THIS TROUBLE EXCEPT IN HOT WEATHER. ON OCT 29, 2010 I HAD LOCK CYLINDER & KEYS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALERSHIP. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN (6/26/2014) WITH ONLY 44,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. ONLY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS A NEWER SATURN AND TO A SATURN OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HATE TO HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $310 AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

HAD A FEW MONTHS, HOT SUMMER AND KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION. MANUAL THAT CAME WITH CAR SAID THIS COULD HAPPEN AND IF IT DID TO TURN THE WHEEL, JIGGLE THE SHIFT, ETC. WOULD NOT HAVE THIS TROUBLE EXCEPT IN HOT WEATHER. ON OCT 29, 2010 I HAD LOCK CYLINDER & KEYS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE BY AN AUTHORIZED GM DEALERSHIP. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN (6/26/2014) WITH ONLY 44,000 ACTUAL MILES ON IT. ONLY AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP HAS EVER WORKED ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS A NEWER SATURN AND TO A SATURN OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS. I HATE TO HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER $310 AT MY EXPENSE TO FIX THIS KNOWN DEFECT. *TR

IMPORTANT, I DO NOT KNOW THE DATES SO I HAD TO JUST PUT IN A RANDOM ONE. THIS CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF ON 3 OCCASIONS. I BROUGHT IT TO SATURN ON ALL THE INCIDENTS. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND START TO BREAK AND DOWNSHIFT AND THE CAR WOULD LITERALLY JUST TURN OFF, AND I WAS LITERALLY AT THE CARS MERCY TILL IT WOULD TURN BACK ON. AS A FORMER DRIVERS ED INSTRUCTOR, I AM JUST LUCKY I REMAINED CALM. AT SATURN THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THIS COULD NOT HAPPEN. I DEMANDED IT DID, AND THE ONE TIME EVEN LEFT THE CAR WITH THEM FOR A WEEK. I SEEN THE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT THAT THEY ARE ONLY RECALLING TILL THE 2003'S. I AM THEREFORE COMPELLED TO MAKE SURE IT IS KNOWN THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED AS FAR BACK AS THE 2000 MODELS. I ALSO AM WILLING TO TESTIFY IF NEED BE BECAUSE I WAS SO UPSET. I HAD NO IDEA BACK THEN HOW TO HANDLE IT, SO I LET IT GO. HOWEVER, NOW I KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SO I AM FILING IN HOPES THIS HELPS PEOPLE BE SAFE. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES BECAUSE IT WAS SO LONG AGO, BUT I BELIEVE THE RECORDS SHOULD BE DEMANDED FROM SATURN IN CLARENCE. *TR

I INSERTED THE KEY TO START THE CAR AND THE CYLINDER WOULD NOT TURN; THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED; HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. HAPPENED AGAIN 4-3-08 AND HAD ANOTHER NEW KEY CYLINDER INSTALLED, ODOMETER THEN 35449. IT STILL FEELS "STICKY" WHEN I TURN THE KEY AND FEELS LIKE IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN. I LOOKED ON-LINE AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. NOW I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. I DON'T WANT TO BE STUCK SOMEWHERE WITH A LOCKED STEERING WHEEL. I'M REPORTING THIS NOW BECAUSE OF THE RECENT IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH THE SATURNS. *TR

REAR DOOR LATCHES DO NOT ALWAYS LATCH AFTER CLOSING REAR DOORS (SL2-4 DOOR SEDAN). EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES WILL STICK IN OPEN POSITION. IF NOT NOTICED, DOORS WILL OPEN WHEN DRIVING, USUALLY WHEN BRAKING OR MAKING A TURN. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS OR ITEMS COULD BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE OR DOORS COULD STRIKE OTHER VEHICLES.

TIMING CHAIN FAILURE OF SATURN 2000 TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY MY SATURN STOPPED WORKING AND I HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PARK IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION GET TOWED ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN THAT BROKE CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE TO JUNK MY CAR AND GET A NEW ONE. I AM VERY DISTRESSED TO FIND THE RECALL OF THE TIMING CHAIN IN THIS VEHICLE AND SINCE IT WAS LAWFULLY REGISTERED TO ME AM WONDERING WHY I HAVE NO RECALL FROM YOU? *TR

TWICE I WAS STOPPING THE CAR--ONCE TO PARK AND ONCE AT A LIGHT AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE ENGINE REVVED UP AT FULL THROTTLE DRAGGING THE CAR FORWARD EVEN WITH THE BRAKES PRESSED FULLY DOWN. I HAD TO THROW THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND CUT THE ENGINE OFF TO STOP IT. NO REASON WAS EVER FOUND. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE:STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY.NHTSA ID #00V309000. SPOKE TO A PERSON TODAY AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAE IS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN THIS RECALL. I HAVE THIS CAR ALMOST 7 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OF THIS. HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED I FEEL THAT I WILL GET A HARD TIME IF I ASK THEM TO INSPECT TO MAKE SURE. ALSO GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER TO VERIFY TO MAKE SURE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

WHEN I START MY CAR OR PARK IT AFTER DRIVING THE RPMS SHOOT UP EXTREMELY HIGH & THE ENGINE RACES. WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD CLUNK DUE TO SHUTTING IT OFF WITH THE RPMS THAT HIGH. I HAVE HAD IT DIAGNOSED SEVERAL TIMES & NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG. I HAD THE AIR IDLE SENSOR REPLACED THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS NOT. THIS IS VERY BAD FOR THE ENGINE.*TR

MY 2000 SATURN SL1 SOMETIMES HAS REVERSE & SOMETIMES NOT & TO GET IT TO GO INTO REVERSE YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT A LOT OF GAS & IT HAS WENT IN REVERSE AT LOW & HIGH SPEEDS. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS. *TR

THE GEAR SHIFT CAN BE OPERATED WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOT RUNNING. *TR

MY 2000 SATURN SL2 IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO START. WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION IT REFUSES TO TURN TO THE "START" POSITION WITHOUT EXTENSIVE JIGGLING OF THE KEY. THIS PROBLEM SURFACED FOUR YEARS AGO AND WAS "FIXED" BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE RETURNED AND IS WORSE THAN EVER. THIS SEEMS TO POINT TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD RESULT IN A DRIVER AND PASSENGERS BEING STRANDED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE IN INCONVENIENT OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. GOOGLING "SATURN IGNITION KEY PROBLEMS" WILL REVEAL THAT THERE IS QUITE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH SATURN IN THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. SINCE THE PROBLEM DIDN'T GO AWAY COMPLETELY I WILL ASSUME THAT SATURN IS REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED SWITCH. SATURN NEEDS TO DESIGN AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT WILL NOT FAIL AND USE THE NEW UNIT AS A REPLACEMENT. *TR

TIMING CHAIN ON MY 2000 SATURN L BROKE. I ONLY HAVE 83,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY WITH GM CARS, ESPECIALLY SATURNS. *TR

SIDEWALL EXPLODED WHILE ENTERING A DRIVEWAY. BOUGHT THE SAME TIRE AS A REPLACEMENT AND IT DEVELOPED A GIANT SIDEWALL BUBBLE IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES THAT JUST RUPTURED...THE TWO TIRES BOTH WENT BAD IN ONLY 11333 MILES...ABOUT 5666 MILES EACH!! *TR

MY SATURN SL2000 IS 8 YEARS OLD. RECENT REPAIRS ARE FUEL CAP REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN CAP SEAL. REAR BUSHINGS, GASKET REPLACEMANT GASKET TOP REPLACEMENT AND NOW AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WONT WORK. ALL PROBLEMS DISCOVERED SINCE MAY 2008. REPAIRS PERFORMED ON ALL EXCEPT AIR CONDITION WHICH WAS DISCOVERED TODAY 6-25-08. 1000 DOLLARS APPROX. ALL 3MONTH MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON SCHEDULE SINCE PURCHASE OF CAR DEC, 1999. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS A LOT OF FLUID ON THE GROUND, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. HE FOUND A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF UPDATED 08/01/08

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WOULD MALFUNCTION. THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OR RELEASE OUT OF THE IGNITION. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD STAY ON WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

DRIVING MY 2000 SATURN SL2 70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMES ON, ENGINE STOPS RUNNING PULL OVER, LUCKILY CLEAR CONDITIONS, SAFELY. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS TIMING CHAIN OR BELT MAY HAVE BROKEN. DEALER CALLS BACK, SAYS I NEED A $7000.00 REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS COST ME OVER 5000.00 IN REPAIRS. SATURN HAS NOT OFFERED ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION. JUST A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ONLINE. I AM FURIOUS. *TR

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE DEALER WITH AN AS-IS NO WARRANTY BACK IN AUGUST 2007. THE VEHICLE HAD A LITTLE OVER 88,000 MILES ON IT. HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND ALL MAJOR ITEMS APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER, THE CAR CAME DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON NOVEMBER 21, 2007, THE ENGINE WENT BANG. THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE OIL LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS GOING AT APPROXIMATELY 75-80 MPH AND THERE WAS NO KNOCKING HEARD PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY CALLED 9-1-1 TO REPORT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND SAID THE ENGINE HAD NOT BEEN ON FIRE, BUT THAT THE ENGINE THREW A ROD THROUGH THE BLOCK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASKED ABOUT KNOCKING PRIOR AND I TOLD THEM THERE WAS NONE. IN FACT, A MECHANIC HAD JUST LOOKED AT IT THE DAY BEFORE. I RECALL THAT THE CHANGE OIL SOON LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY BUT NEVER STEADY. THE OIL LIGHT ALSO KEPT FLICKERING BUT WAS NEVER STEADY. THE RPM'S INCREASED FROM 2500 TO 3000 AND RETURNED TO 2500. NO PREVIOUS HISTORY OF PROBLEMS REPORTED BY DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO NORTHLAND COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN EAST GRAND FORKS. THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND SAID IT IS TOTALED. CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF LOCATING A NEW OR USED ENGINE TO REPLACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL2. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS AT 10 MPH, THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V310000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000. UPDATED 12/07/07

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL2. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS AT 10 MPH, THE GEARS BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V310000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH). THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000. UPDATED 12/07/07

VEHICLE COOLANT LIGHT LOW INDICATOR CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANIC TO SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION OIL WAS FOUND IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. CAR HAD UNDER 100000 MILES, AND HAD BEEN MAINTAINED. SATURN ISSUED COMPANY BULLETIN 99P01. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM FOR A MINIMAL CHARGE DUE TO THIS DEFECT. WERE ONLY WILLING TO OFFER 25% OF THE APPROXIMATE $2200 REPAIR CHARGE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT CONTAINED NO OIL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SERVICED THREE WEEKS PRIOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD COST $3,400 AND A USED ENGINE WITHOUT WARRANTY WOULD COST $2,400. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO SIGNS OF LEAKING, DRAINING, OR OIL BURNING WERE PRESENT, YET THE OIL IS EVAPORATING. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07

MY CAR WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE, MAKES A LOUD BANG NOISE AND SLAMS HARD INTO GEAR. I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME EXACT SITUATION ALL OVER THE INTERNET. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCKED, AND THE DRIVER WASUNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVES HASDTO JIGGLE AND SHAKE THE IGNITION AREA FOR THE KEY TO TURN AND THE CAR TO START. THE CONTACT STATED ONCE THE CAR STARTED THE KEY COULD BE TAKEN OUT AND IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN. THIS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT.) THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH. MY BRAKES LOCKED-UP AND I SLID INTO THE PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WORKED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED AND TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH (SPEED LIMIT.) THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME HIT THE BRAKES. I APPLIED MY BRAKES AS I SHOULD HAVE HAD ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH. MY BRAKES LOCKED-UP AND I SLID INTO THE PICK-UP TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE SEAT BELTS WORKED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I WAS INJURED AND TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM

I PURCHASED A 2000 SATURN SL2 WHICH WAS USED, THEREFORE, I HAD A SHOP THOROUGHLY CHECK THAT ALL MAJOR COMPONENTS WERE IN WORKING ORDER...I WAS TOLD THAT ALL WERE IN GREAT SHAPE..IE., THE ENGINE, STARTER, AND ANY VITAL PARTS. THE CAR RAN GREAT...WELL, FOR 5-6 MOS. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING,WHEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF...THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN...NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NOTHING! THE CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED BUT I JUST HEARD CLICKING WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION. WITH ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT THE ENGINE IS SHOT, THERE'S NOTHING HE CAN DO OTHER THAN PUT A BRAND NEW ENGINE IN IT...WITH A SMALL FEE OF 4000.00. BOTH OF US DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND WITHIN 6 MONTHS AND BARELY 3,000 MILES THE ENGINE WENT FROM GREAT TO GONE! I HAVE READ SEVERAL DOCUMENTS FROM THIS SITE AND THERE ARE MANY PERSONS WITH 2000 SATURNS THAT ARE SAYING THAT THEY TOO HAVE A CAR THAT STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE STORIES SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO MINE...I'VE SEEN MANY OF HAVE SIMILAR VIN #S...I IDENTIFIED WITH THE DOCS REGARDING THE 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES ISSUES, ALTHOUGH, MINE IS OF THE S-SERIES (I GUESS, BECAUSE IT IS AN SL-2). THE LETTER DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE REFERRED TO (EA06-009), THE DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) OR THE ODI INVESTIGATION PE06-006 THAT WAS OPENED ON 1/24/06. I AM NOT SURE THAT THOSE DOCUMENT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE BEING THAT I THOUGHT MY ENGINE WAS OF THE SIZE 1.9L, I-4, MP, DOHC. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TO VIEW THE DOCS MENTIONED, THEY ARE BASICALLY DESCRIBING THE SAME PROB. THAT I HAVE. WILL YOU PLEASE FIND OUT IF I AM INCORRECT WITH THE INFO. THAT I'VE VIEWED AND IF THERE HAS BEEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEMS THAT I'VE HAD FOR OVER 1 YR. OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, ADVICE, OR KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO OR WITH WHOM I SHOULD SPEAK...PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH.*JB

1. I PURCHASED MY 2000 SATURN SL1 FROM A USED CAR DEALER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. AFTER I STARTED THE CAR AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. FOR A FEW SECONDS NOTHING HAPPENED AND I THOUGHT I WAS EITHER AGAINST A BUMP IN THE PAVEMENT OR IT WAS STILL IN NEUTRAL. I GAVE IT MORE GAS. SUDDENLY, THE CAR SLAMMED INTO REVERSE AND I NEARLY LOST CONTROL AND BACKED INTO A CAR. I CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL TO SEE IF MORE WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FULL. A COUPLE DAYS LATE, IT DID IT AGAIN. NOW IT DOES IT ABOUT EVERY THIRD REVERSE SHIFT. ALSO THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. SO, I CHECKED THE COMPUTER CODES AND THEY INDICATED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I GOT ON THE INTERNET TO SEE WHAT HAD TO BE DONE TO FIX IT. IT TURNS OUT MANY SATURN OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THERE IS EVEN A SERVICE BULLETIN, NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 612478 THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX A VALVE PROBLEM. MANY SATURN OWNERS CAN'T AFFORD SUCH A REPAIR. SO, THEY DRIVE THE CAR AT THE RISK OF BACKING INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. SATURN OBVIOUSLY KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG A LONG TIME AGO AND DIDN'T RECALL THE VEHICLES. *NM

WHEN CHECKING THE COLOR OF MY OIL, THE DIP STICK WAS FOUND 3 TIMES BONE DRY. NO OIL LIGHT INDICATOR WOULD COME ON AND FINALLY ONE TIME IT WAS TOO LATE. ON CHRISTMAS EVE MY ENGINE BLEW DUE TO HEAT AND LACK OF OIL. I WOULD LOSE 5 QUARTS BEFORE MY 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. I HAD TO BUY A USED ENGINE AND HAVE IT INSTALLED BY A FAMILY FRIEND DUE TO LACK OF MONEY TO FIX THIS UNEXPECTED PROBLEM ON MY 5 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYEMNTS ON. *NM

I WAS STOPPED BY A FELLOW DRIVER A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHEN HE INFORMED ME THAT I HAD NO BRAKE LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED MY LIGHTS AND REALIZED THAT WHEN MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ON MY BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT. I HAVE HEARD THAT SEVERAL OF THE 2000 SL1'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYTHING IS BEING DONE TO FIX IT.*JB

I AM THE THIRD COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM: INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN PLACED IN PARK OR NEUTRAL OR WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL RPM 3,500-4,000. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND PRIVATE MECHANICS AND NO ANSWER HAS BEEN GIVEN. NOTHING SHOWS ON DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. WHEN ENGINE REVS, I WILL PLACE IN PARK, TURN CAR OFF, AND START AGAIN. SOMETIMES THIS DOES THE TRICK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS VEHICLE WILL TRY TO DRIVE WHEN WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT AND FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. PLEASE HELP. *NM

A 2000 SL1 SATURN PASSENGER VEHICLE IS THE SOURCE OF THIS COMPLAINT. SATURNS ARE OFTEN RECOGNIZED AS BEING 200K MILE CARS - LOOK FOR THE WALL AT THE SERVICE CENTERS. - POLAROIDS OF 'HAPPY' SATURN CUSTOMERS. AFTER 94K MILES, MY SATURN HAD A PISTON FRAGMENT INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE MOTOR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I JUST PAID IT OFF 6 MONTHS AGO. SATURN REFUSED TO SUPPLY ANY EXPLANATION OR OFFER TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.*JB

REVERSE GEAR HAD BEEN ACTING FUNNY (NOT GOING INTO REVERSE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLIDE FORWARD BEFORE GRABBING). GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED, TOOK CAR INTO AAA APPROVED FACILITY, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FINALLY REVERSE GEAR JUST QUIT (AS I WAS TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK) AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT A MONTH FROM START TO FINISH. TOOK IT BACK TO AAA APPROVED FACILITY WHO PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND VARIOUS CODES P0300, P0732, P1599, P0732, P1599. THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS 37,134. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2000. CALLED SATURN IN STEVENS CREEK, WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE NEAREST ONE IS APPROX. 2 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE AND I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT DISTANCE.(2ND INTO 3RD GEAR WAS NOW VERY ROUGH SHIFTING). WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR SO THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION AT ALL. CHECKED AROUND THIS AREA TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. AAMCO WILL NO LONGER REPAIR TRANSMISSIONS IN SATURN CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNRELIABLE. FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH WHO SAID THEY WILL FIX IT FOR $1,700.00. THEY DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A BULLETIN (# 00-T-24) WHICH DEALS EXACTLY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTS HOW TO FIX IT. IN THE BULLETIN (OF WHICH I HAVE A COPY) IT STATES "THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SURFACE FINISH ON THE AREA OF THE INPUT SHAFT HUB WHERE THE SEALS RIDE. IMPROPER SURFACE FINISH ON THE INPUT SHAFT HUB ALLOWS CROSS LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND/ REV CLUTCHES". THIS IS THE FAULT OF SATURN AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION TO THE $1,700.00 FOR REPAIRS, I AM HAVING TO RENT AN ECONOMY CAR FOR A WEEK AT A COST OF $163.58. AGAIN, THIS CAR HAS ONLY 37,134 MILES ON IT. *NM

REVERSE GEAR HAD BEEN ACTING FUNNY (NOT GOING INTO REVERSE AND ALLOWING THE CAR TO SLIDE FORWARD BEFORE GRABBING). GRINDING SOUND WAS NOTED, TOOK CAR INTO AAA APPROVED FACILITY, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. FINALLY REVERSE GEAR JUST QUIT (AS I WAS TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK) AND "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WHOLE PROCESS TOOK ABOUT A MONTH FROM START TO FINISH. TOOK IT BACK TO AAA APPROVED FACILITY WHO PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND FOUND VARIOUS CODES P0300, P0732, P1599, P0732, P1599. THE MILEAGE ON THIS CAR IS 37,134. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2000. CALLED SATURN IN STEVENS CREEK, WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE NEAREST ONE IS APPROX. 2 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE AND I WAS NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING A CAR WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THAT DISTANCE.(2ND INTO 3RD GEAR WAS NOW VERY ROUGH SHIFTING). WAS TOLD THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR SO THIS WAS NOT AN OPTION AT ALL. CHECKED AROUND THIS AREA TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. AAMCO WILL NO LONGER REPAIR TRANSMISSIONS IN SATURN CARS BECAUSE THEY ARE SO UNRELIABLE. FOUND A REPAIR SHOP THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH WHO SAID THEY WILL FIX IT FOR $1,700.00. THEY DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A BULLETIN (# 00-T-24) WHICH DEALS EXACTLY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND SUGGESTS HOW TO FIX IT. IN THE BULLETIN (OF WHICH I HAVE A COPY) IT STATES "THIS CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY AN IMPROPERLY MACHINED SURFACE FINISH ON THE AREA OF THE INPUT SHAFT HUB WHERE THE SEALS RIDE. IMPROPER SURFACE FINISH ON THE INPUT SHAFT HUB ALLOWS CROSS LEAKAGE BETWEEN THE 1ST AND 2ND/ REV CLUTCHES". THIS IS THE FAULT OF SATURN AND THEY SHOULD PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. IN ADDITION TO THE $1,700.00 FOR REPAIRS, I AM HAVING TO RENT AN ECONOMY CAR FOR A WEEK AT A COST OF $163.58. AGAIN, THIS CAR HAS ONLY 37,134 MILES ON IT. *NM