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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Saturn L300 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
10about this part
Share
24%of 42 total for the year
Median mileage
85,306miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Saturn L300, 24% of the 42 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,306 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“In february, 2007 and in april of 2008 I was involved separate front end crashes while driving my 2003 Saturn L300. In both instances seatbelt restraints were used (as always), but the air-bags failed to deploy. Fortunately, no one was injured. In both instances, I believed that I was fortunate the air-bags didn't open because of the expense involved repairing a deployed air-bag. …”

NHTSA complaint #10566458, filed 2014-02, 45,000 miles

“Ignition switch will not start the car. It is in the off position. I am having a new switch installed. I do not understand why this car part is not on the recall list. All other 2003 saturns are being recalled.”

NHTSA complaint #10627094, filed 2014-08, 140,000 miles

“On a rainy night, jan 10, 2014, I came out of work and started my car. I thanked god it started because sometimes it wouldn't start at all. Even after replacing almost every engine part including the computer. I started driving out of the parking spot and I smelled something burning inside the car. The engine started revving wildly up and down. I had no control of the car. White thick smoke filled the car fast. Flames started shooting out at me from under the dashboard. I was so panicked that I could hardly get out of the car. The insurance co totaled it and I still owe 500.00! …”

NHTSA complaint #10577366, filed 2014-04, 12,500 miles

“While engaging the high beams, smoke began to appear out of the turn signal stalk on the steering column. Also, the high beams could no longer be turned off. I had to engage the switch several times before it would turn off. This has happened previously, and the fix was to replace the turn stalk. This is now the second turn signal stalk this has happened to. I am questioning the design of the turn signal stalk. There appears to be some sort of short in the wiring or contacts for the high beams that causes this problem. This is a fire hazard, and therefore a major safety concern.”

NHTSA complaint #10554959, filed 2013-12, 130,000 miles

“Engine stalls after 10 minutes of driving. Won't start again for 2 or 3 hours only to run for 10 minutes and stall again. Sometimes engine will stall while idling. Sometimes the engine light with the wrench in it comes on and the vehicle starts to shift roughly. If I turn off the vehicle and start it again, this light goes off and the vehicle shifts normally.”

NHTSA complaint #10466854, filed 2012-07, 84,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005728%
20041525%
20031024%

Other parts of the 2003 Saturn L300

Exterior lighting
10 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Saturn L300

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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