2000 Saturn LS Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 Saturn LS report a wide spread of problems, with engine and cooling complaints dominating and the median mileage for that component around 84,500. The most repeated theme in the sampled complaints is a timing chain (or belt) that fails, often without warning, sometimes taking the engine with it. Secondary patterns involve intermittent rear lighting, anti-theft or ignition starting trouble, and rust-related structural complaints on higher-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Timing chain failure that can damage the engine

   • 113 complaints (30%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (98 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,500 (median of 37 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2016

   Complaints describe a rattling, ticking or fluttering noise from the engine bay, or the engine simply quitting or refusing to start with no prior warning. Owners say the dealer or mechanic then determined the timing chain had broken or stretched, and in several cases valves were bent and the engine needed replacement, with repair estimates ranging widely. Some owners mention having a timing chain replaced more than once, and several note that they had kept up with oil changes and maintenance. Reported across a broad mileage range in the sample, from roughly 36,000 to 141,000 miles, with many cases between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 03V2310003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for rattling or ticking from the engine at idle and on start-up, and ask for service records showing whether the timing chain, tensioner or cover has been replaced. A pre-purchase inspection that includes the engine bay is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2000 Saturn ls1 with a 4 cylinder engine. It would not start after turning the ignition key in the morning while the vehicle was parked. The problem was diagnosed as a timing chain failure. My vehicle has approximately 82,000 miles and has had the recommended maintenance performed during the life of the car. The estimate for repair is $3,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10156409, filed 2006-04, 82,000 miles

   “I wish to report the same defect already identified by action number pe06006 (and subsequently ea06-009). The timing chain defect was discovered before complete failure due to very rough idling, and after getting a first opinion from my Saturn dealership and a second opinion from a local garage, I paid $820 for a timing change. Saturn refused to cover this obvious defect under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10186636, filed 2007-03, 36,303 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Rear tail/brake lights work only intermittently

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe rear brake and tail lights that work only some of the time, or go out over bumps, so other drivers cannot tell when the car is braking. Many say they replaced bulbs or swapped sockets repeatedly and adjusted the contacts inside the lamp assembly, with the problem returning. Complaints also note the dealer replaced bulbs or complete sockets but could not explain why it kept happening, and some mention the brake lights going out when the headlights are on. Mostly reported between about 10,000 and 100,000 miles, occurring intermittently rather than at a set mileage.

   Recall 05V245000Recall 99V1990001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lights while you press the brake, including with the headlights on, and check whether the car is covered by the brake-lamp housing recall. Ask whether the lamp sockets or assemblies have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The timing chain on my 2000 Saturn ls1 (with 80,000 miles) failed while driving at full speed (55 MPH) on the highway. The vehicle lost power and I had to pull off the highway. No warning or previous vehicle malfunction pointed to a need for maintenance. The time chain failure can cause severe engine damage and require complete engine replacement. My vehicle is currently being looked at to determine the full extent of the damage. At a minimum, the timing chain replacement will be $600. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10164804, filed 2006-08, 81,000 miles

   “Constantly having people tell me my brake lights don't work. I've replaced bulbs and get them working for awhile and now I've come to the conclusion that tail light assembly is a bad design. The bulb holder contacts that light up the brake light does not always stay in contact with the tail light assembly. I get it working for awhile and then someone tells me my brake lights don't work. Other electrical problems with this car - heater/AC blower quit working and truck release switch on dash board quit working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106324, filed 2005-01, 12,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Steering noise, looseness or hard steering

   • 31 complaints (8%)
   • median 54,525 mi at 5.2 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners describe a crunching, knocking or rattling noise from the steering column when turning the wheel, and in some cases the wheel becoming hard to turn. Complaints mention steering shaft or column parts being replaced, rack and pinion work done more than once, and a windshield wiper control stalk breaking off the column. Some owners tie the steering difficulty to corrosion found in the subframe and wheel wells. Reported from about 27,000 to 150,000 miles, with several cases under 60,000 miles.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock-to-lock while parked and listen for knocking or crunching, and check for play or looseness in the steering. Ask whether the steering column or rack has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a pre-certified vehicle for carmax 12/13/03. On 12/16/03 I had to return the care because I heard a loud rattling noise as if some was very loose in the steering column. The service department immediately took the car a gave me a loan car. I did not get my car back until 01/05/04 . Carmax diagnostic test found the steering shaft had to be replaced and was sublet to airport Saturn for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10167195, filed 2006-08, 36,000 miles

   “Knocking sound coming from steering column when steering wheel was turned from one side to the other. I had this looked at by my mechanic, who confirmed that there was a problem within the steering column leading to its linkage. He told me that this was definitely a potential life risking problem. A recall should be issued because the part in question was not one that was supposed to undergo wear. It is supposed to be good for life! One may not get a second chance if the steering failed while driving, especially on highways.”

   NHTSA complaint #10191226, filed 2007-05, 98,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rusted subframe, cradle and underbody

   • 29 complaints (8%)
   • median 80,150 mi at 12.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2024

   Complaints describe the front subframe or engine cradle rusting through, in some cases found only when the car was on a lift or during tire work. Owners report the corrosion was severe enough that they were advised not to drive the vehicle, and that it was discovered alongside steering difficulty in some cases. Several say the manufacturer or dealer did not offer help because the car was outside warranty. Mostly reported on higher-mileage cars, generally from about 60,000 miles upward and often well past 100,000.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look underneath at the front subframe and engine cradle for flaking metal or holes, ideally during a shop inspection, and check for corrosion in regions where road salt is used.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The whole subframe on my 2000 Saturn LS is rotted so bad that I can't even drive the vehicle. It started with my car not starting and putting it up on a lift to see what the problem was. That not starting problem is a bad resonator, but in the process the subframe was found to be seriously rotted away.”

   NHTSA complaint #11329340, filed 2020-06, 170,000 miles

   “When I went to get new tires for this car I was told there was a problem with my frame and should go right to a dealership. I contacted Saturn and they authorized it for me to go to my nearest dealership, at the dealers convenience and my expense for a review of the problem. I made the appointment but in the mean time the front wheels stated to shake and shimmy. I was losing control of the car, so I pulled into the nearest repair shop and was given the advice to leave this car parked. Do not drive it at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10577610, filed 2014-04, 125,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Car will not start (anti-theft system or ignition lock)

   • 39 complaints (10%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 8.2 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2014

   Complaints describe the vehicle refusing to crank because the anti-theft system does not recognize the key, with owners waiting for the security light to stop flashing before it will start. Others report the key not turning in the ignition at all, requiring repeated attempts or a sharp tap on the key before it would rotate. Several owners say the dealer wanted to replace the whole anti-theft system or told them no recall applied to their vehicle. Reported from about 36,000 to 108,000 miles in the sample, with no clear mileage pattern.

   Recall 03V2310001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Try starting the car several times with both keys, watch for a flashing security light, and ask whether the ignition switch or anti-theft module has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Saturn 2000 LS! Starting defect. The anti theft system in the vehicle sometimes prevents the vehicle from starting. The vehicle owner must wait ten minutes for the security light to stop flashing before the vehicle can be started. Gm won't do anything about this problem. The problem becomes a safety issue late at night when my wife is stuck in a dark parking lot waiting for the security light to reset.”

   NHTSA complaint #10292697, filed 2009-11, 36,000 miles

   “Consumer's vehicle had the same problem as stated in recall 03v231000 concerning the engine. The dealer would not repair because the vehicle identification number was not included. The engine cut off after 4 attempts and all lights lit up.”

   NHTSA complaint #10034182, filed 2003-09, 27,266 miles

Buying note. The engine is the main thing to vet on this model year: check for timing chain noise and ask for records of any chain, tensioner or engine work. Also inspect the rear lights, the underside for rust, and the starting behavior before deciding, since these are the areas owners most often describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.