2000 Saturn Sl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2000 Saturn Sl: 7 recalls, 148 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #99V230000 · 1999 · 2,692 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, May have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V232000 · 1999 · 1,592 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #99V231000 · 1999 · 5,373 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #99V280000 · 1999 · 265,698 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained.
The fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V297000 · 1999 · 7,505 vehicles
What's wrong: 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the latch May open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
The fix: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #00V310000 · 2000 · 65,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
The fix: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #00V309000 · 2000 · 6,092 vehicles
What's wrong: 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (35): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), noise or vibration (8), warning light on (5).
- Engine & cooling (34): the most common themes are warning light on (8), leaks (8), stalls / loses power (6).
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are door / lock issues (9), electrical failure (6).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (13): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5).
The 2000 Saturn Sl has 148 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 12 Sl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 185). Complaints peaked in 2002 (27 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 57,714 miles. Neighboring years: 1999 (178 complaints, 1 recalls), 2001 (111 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2000 Saturn Sl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2000 Saturn Sl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2000 Saturn Sl, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2000 Saturn Sl problems?
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (35), engine & cooling (34), electrical (26).
What gas mileage does the 2000 Saturn Sl get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2000 Saturn Sl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.