2000 Saturn SL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 18%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Saturn SL, 18% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,450 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Important, I do not know the dates so I had to just put in a random one. This car turned itself off on 3 occasions. I brought it to Saturn on all the incidents. I would be driving and start to break and downshift and the car would literally just turn off, and I was literally at the cars mercy till it would turn back on. As a former drivers ed instructor, I am just lucky I remained calm. At Saturn they tried to tell me this could not happen. I demanded it did, and the one time even left the car with them for a week. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576317, filed 2014-04, 20,000 miles“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“Had a few months, hot summer and key would not turn in ignition. Manual that came with car said this could happen and if it did to turn the wheel, jiggle the shift, etc. Would not have this trouble except in hot weather. On oct 29, 2010 I had lock cylinder & keys replaced at my expense by an authorized GM dealership. Now it is doing it again (6/26/2014) with only 44,000 actual miles on it. Only authorized dealership has ever worked on this vehicle. This has happened to my daughter who has a newer Saturn and to a Saturn of my granddaughters. …”
NHTSA complaint #10606365, filed 2014-06, 1,000 miles“Key falls out of ignition while driving! This needs to be recalled with all of the other GM vehicles. This is a danger and someone is going to get seriously injured! Step up GM and fix the cost cutting corners you cut and put your customers at risk!”
NHTSA complaint #10632710, filed 2014-09, 96,000 milesRelated service bulletins
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 43 | 33% |
| 2001 | 29 | 26% |
| 2000 | 26 | 18% |
| 1999 | 20 | 11% |
| 1998 | 16 | 10% |
| 1997 | 31 | 14% |
| 1996 | 40 | 14% |
| 1995 | 27 | 8% |
| 1994 | 23 | 8% |
| 1993 | 19 | 11% |
| 1992 | 16 | 13% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2000 Saturn SL
35 complaintsEngine cooling
34 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsTires
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Saturn SL
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