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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Saturn L200 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
6%of 138 total for the year
Median mileage
55,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Saturn L200, 6% of the 138 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2003 Saturn vue auto transmission went out three times within 8,000 miles, leaving out family stranded in 3 diff states, out our lives in risk, ruin our vacations, cost extra money on car rental ,insurance,gas, hotel! Cost me several panic attacks and horrible anxiety, stress etc...”

NHTSA complaint #10208823, filed 2007-11, 54,000 miles

“I was driving my kids to school down the left hand lane of interstate 290-in chicago,while in the flow of the morning rush hour, when suddenly, without alert or warning light, my car lost all it's power, causing numerous cars that were directly behind and next to me, to swerve off their destined lanes-avoiding a chain reaction pile up. I was lucky enough to get my kids safely out of the car and on to the side of the expressway, if it were the way around I don't think I would be alive right now. In total, there were 7 cars involved in the entire ordeal. …”

NHTSA complaint #10250595, filed 2008-12, 83,000 miles

“Problems with start engine light. Having problems with transmisson. Reading p1887 code. Also when driving, when I turn to the left the wheel makes noises. The transmisson could eventally cause a fire. It is not properly releasing.”

NHTSA complaint #10133628, filed 2005-08, 38,252 miles

“- the contact stated that while sitting at a stop on 12/30/06 the contact tried to accelerate to merge into traffic on a 50 MPH highway and the vehicle lost power and would not accelerate, but the engine was still running. The contact stated that vehicle would not travel at an accelerated speed. While trying to accelerate the vehicle made a loud noise like metal grinding on metal. The contact was able to get vehicle to the side of the road, and she tried again to get vehicle to accelerate, but it would not. …”

NHTSA complaint #10177525, filed 2007-01, 57,000 miles

“Problems with vehicle's power steering system. Consumer noticed the failure when driving off the lot but thought I was due to cold weather. Later she learned the rack and pinion needed to be replaced due to fluid leaking. After the repair, consumer started hearing grinding noise when turning. On 10/08/03, the consumer learned the steering pump had to be replaced. After picking up the vehicle on this date, consumer heard more noises. This time it was a air pocket in the steering fluid. In addition, the automatic climate control system fails to work as designed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10050082, filed 2003-12, 15,758 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200386%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn L200

Electrical system
50 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsInterior lighting
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn L200

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology