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SteeringPart report

2000 Saturn LS Steering Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
9%of 382 total for the year
Median mileage
54,525miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the steering of the 2000 Saturn LS, 9% of the 382 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,525 miles.

Example complaints

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

“Driving down the road the vehicle started making noise and steering was uncontrollable. I trailered the vehicle back home. Closer inspection revealed the front subframe/engine cradle was completely rusted through in multiple spots, very dangerous!!! I contacted the dealer to get a new subframe and I was advised the subframe is no longer available and to try finding one in a salvage yard. I contacted a salvage yard and they said they had a few and it would be no problem to pull one. …”

NHTSA complaint #10567105, filed 2014-03, 80,150 miles

“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

“Vehicle pulled when braking. Symptoms started on a monday as a light pull. More noticeable above 50 MPH, and not noticeable below 35. By thursday morning, pull was severe above 50mph. Stayed till after 6:00 at night to avoid traffic. Ride home was entertaining as steering wheel did not always go back to center when going straight. I thought I needed a steering rack until I inspected the vehicle on saturday. My inspection showed that front subframe (a.k.a. Engine cradle) failed where the passenger side lower control arm rear bushing was attached . …”

NHTSA complaint #10435973, filed 2011-11, 170,000 miles

“I had just gone to the gas station to fill up my 2000 Saturn lw2 when I was about two blocks from the gas station. I was right around the corner from my house, and had just turned right onto a street with a hill. Suddenly, my car started sputtering so I immediately tried to pull over. I wasn't completely out of the street when I suddenly lost all power brakes and power steering going down the hill at 25 miles per hour. I couldn't stop the car so I put it in park, which stopped it instantly, causing my neck to jerk, which has been sore from whiplash for the past four days so far. …”

NHTSA complaint #10481318, filed 2012-10, 102,012 miles

“This happened very suddenly. I applied the brake to enter the ramp to the highway and the car pulled to the left and made a noise. I thought it may be a bearing or brake problem but I had not had any issues before that so I went on since it seamed to be driving ok. While I was on the interstate I went to go into the left lane and realized there was a serious problem with the steering. I slowed down and got off the highway to the shop. I was told there the k frame had less than 1/2 before breaking completely and could have been a serious accident since it has to do with steering. …”

NHTSA complaint #10452336, filed 2012-03, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2002122%
2001295%
2000359%

Other parts of the 2000 Saturn LS

Engine cooling
140 complaints
Electrical system
63 complaints
Exterior lighting
62 complaints
Body and structure
28 complaints
Suspension
28 complaints
Brakes
25 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Tires
20 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2000 Saturn LS

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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