2000 Saturn SL Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission trouble, especially with reverse gear, and engine problems that include oil loss, timing chain breakage and stalling. Electrical complaints center on the ignition key and lock cylinder, which several owners say sticks or lets the key come out while driving. Many reports come in between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, and the transmission issues tend to appear gradually before a hard failure.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition key sticks, will not turn, or comes out while

   • 14 complaints (9%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2014

   Owners describe the key refusing to turn to start without repeated jiggling, the steering wheel locking at the same time, and in some cases the key being released or falling out while the engine keeps running. Several had lock cylinders or the whole ignition system replaced, sometimes more than once, and the trouble returned. Complaints also mention the car shutting off while driving or while braking and downshifting, with no warning light. Reported from very low mileage up to about 150,000 miles; several owners mention it happening more in hot weather.

   What to check: Try the key several times with the wheel straight and turned, and check whether it turns freely and cannot be pulled out with the engine running. Ask for receipts showing whether the ignition cylinder or switch was ever replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I inserted the key to start the car and the cylinder would not turn; the steering wheel locked; had to have the car towed. Happened again 4-3-08 and had another new key cylinder installed, odometer then 35449. It still feels sticky when I turn the key and feels like it could easily happen again. I looked on-line and this is a common problem. Now I drive the car as little as possible. I don't want to be stuck somewhere with a locked steering wheel. I'm reporting this now because of the recent ignition problems with the saturns.”

   NHTSA complaint #10569089, filed 2014-03, 2,867 miles

   “I turned my car into a parking lot, and the engine suddenly just quit working. After several minutes I was able to restart the car, it also happened again while I was stopped at a red light, and again when I made a left turn into another park lot,all on the same day in less than 1 1/2 hours total time. I have had this problem repeatedly over the last about seven years. I was told when I first had trouble with the ignition housing coming loose, not to put any other keys on the key ring, and I only have the car key on the chain. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10638367, filed 2014-09, 110,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Reverse gear fails, slips or engages with a bang

   • 9 complaints (6%)
   • median 52,200 mi at 5.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2007

   Complaints describe reverse being slow to engage, the car rolling forward before it grabs, or nothing happening until the engine is revved, after which it slams into gear. Some owners say reverse eventually stopped working entirely and the service engine soon light came on, and several were told a transmission rebuild or replacement was needed. A few mention the fluid level was fine when the problem appeared. Reported from about 25,000 to 120,000 miles, with many cases in the 40,000 to 80,000 mile range and no clear seasonal pattern.

   Recall 00V310000

   What to check: Test reverse several times on a cold start, including a slight grade, and note any delay, noise or harsh engagement. Ask whether the transmission has been serviced or replaced and check the fluid condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2000 Saturn sl1 has a problem which I feel is a manufacturer's defect. When put into reverse, the car either does not shift at all, or, hesitates then shifts unexpectedly, or shifts only when gas and brake are pressed at the same time. This is a very dangerous problem that is just an accident waiting to happen.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032634, filed 2003-08, 57,714 miles

   “Without any warning, I got in my Saturn and started it and the service engine soon light went on. As I put it in reverse to put it in a parking space, there was no reverse movement, only reving engine. The dealer I took it to, told me this was a known problem (a nut gets loose and falls off, inside the transmission. I also needed a transmission service. I was suspecious at first but I was not close to home so I paid the $440.oo. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10074820, filed 2004-06, 46,686 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine oil loss with no warning, leading to engine failure

   • 7 complaints (5%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2007

   Complaints describe the dipstick reading dry between oil changes with no low-oil light, and in some cases the engine failing or seizing afterward. Owners mention losing several quarts over a normal oil interval without visible leaks or smoke. Others report the oil pump failing and the oil light coming on, followed by a tow to the dealer. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 100,000 miles, often described as developing over a few thousand miles of driving.

   What to check: Check the oil level on the dipstick and look for leaks underneath. Ask how often oil was added between changes and whether any oil consumption was noted at service visits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When checking the color of my oil, the dip stick was found 3 times bone dry. No oil light indicator would come on and finally one time it was too late. On christmas eve my engine blew due to heat and lack of oil. I would lose 5 quarts before my 3000 mile oil change. I had to buy a used engine and have it installed by a family friend due to lack of money to fix this unexpected problem on my 5 year old car that I am still making payemnts on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10146395, filed 2005-12, 80,000 miles

   “I purchased the vehicle from a private dealer with an as-is no warranty back in august 2007. The vehicle had a little over 88,000 miles on it. Had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic and all major items appeared to be in good working order. Approximately 1 month later, the car came due for an oil change. I had the oil changed at approximately 90,000 miles. At approximately 94,000 miles, while driving on the interstate on november 21, 2007, the engine went bang. The car jerked violently and the oil light and check engine lights came on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10210018, filed 2007-11, 94,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine surges or revs high on its own

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2010

   Owners describe the engine revving to 3,500 rpm or more while stopped, in park or neutral, or while driving at steady speed, sometimes pulling the car forward against the brakes. Several had the car checked by dealers and independent shops without a clear diagnosis, and one mentions replacing the idle air sensor with no change. Some say the condition comes and goes and is worse in cold weather. Reported across a wide mileage range, from around 24,000 to 100,000 miles, with some owners noting it in cold weather.

   What to check: Take a test drive that includes long stops and light-throttle cruising, and watch the tachometer for a rising idle. Ask whether the throttle body or idle control has been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Twice I was stopping the car--once to park and once at a light and instead of stopping the engine revved up at full throttle dragging the car forward even with the brakes pressed fully down. I had to throw the transmission into neutral and cut the engine off to stop it. No reason was ever found.”

   NHTSA complaint #10304629, filed 2010-02, 30,000 miles

   “I am the third complaint with the same problem: intermittently, when placed in park or neutral or while driving, the vehicle will RPM 3,500-4,000. I have taken to dealer and private mechanics and no answer has been given. Nothing shows on diagnostic computer. When engine revs, I will place in park, turn car off, and start again. Sometimes this does the trick. This is very dangerous as vehicle will try to drive when waiting at a stop light and foot is on the brake. Please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10145754, filed 2005-12, 24,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the items worth inspecting closely are the automatic transmission in reverse and the ignition lock, since both are frequent complaint subjects with repair costs that can exceed the car's value. A pre-purchase inspection that covers oil consumption, the timing chain and the transmission is a reasonable step before buying.

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.