- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "Theft protection." These vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.
- The risk
- This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
- The fix
- Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.
Vehicle safety record
2000 Saturn SC Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SC with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (2) and the wheels & tires (2). Those complaints describe 2 crashes. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in October 2000 for the park / neutral start interlock switch. For comparison, the 1999 has 24 and the 2001 has 21.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical SC year, for its age
#227 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Saturn SC problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Saturn SC recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "Fuel system integrity." These vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
- The risk
- Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impacts." The armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." Some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "Passenger car brake systems." These vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.
- The risk
- If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "Bumper standard." These vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.
- The risk
- If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.
- The fix
- Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." Some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn quality standards.
- The risk
- A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SC
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Driving and all electrical power was suddenly lost, power steering lost-hard to steer. Managed to pull over - turn off/on ignition and car started backup. *Tr
Driver seat recliner failure. Same problem that affected 1994 and 1995 saturns (recalled as well). Gear teeth in recliner mechanism get worn out and no longer hold the seat backrest upright. This poses a safety issue. *Tr
I'm buying this car from a car dealer j b byrider. On 3/26/10 I took the saturn sc1 out for a test drive during the day time and came back and told them about the noise I heard coming from the back of the car. Was told that a part was being odor. 3/30/10 Took the car back to the dealer to let them know that the seat belt was coming across my neck and locking, and the there was only one light on my dashboard showing the speed and nothing else. Was told order a part for the seat belt and would look at the dash...
Read the full complaint
broad when I came back (it was said that the dash broad lights were ok). 3/31/10 Took the car to a saturn dealer and asked about the dash board lights and found out that it's not ok. I called jb byrider and spoke to the service manger at 3:10 pm, whom said that he knew who I was and again the part was order and would look at the dashboard lights when I came in for the seat belt. I did not hear from them. So on 4/10/10 I took the car back and the service department was close, do not work on sat? Spoke to the person that sold me the car first then to the on the site on call manger. Neither would write up a new service, and I was told to call the service manger again today 4/11/10 after 12 pm. Now on the service order that I have it say " void if not use in 30 days from the sale date which as 3/26/10. So I express that I felt that it meant that after 30 days anything that I would on my car that was wrong would not be taken care of. The manger said well when I test drove the car all these things should have been written on this order, I explain I got the car doing the day so therefore could not see that the dash broad lights did not work, and the seat belt I thought I needed to just adjust my seat but when a looked and seen a pieces was missing from the side of the seat I came back with the car 4 days after I got the car. I came back as soon as I could. I feel that the are delaying because in 2 weeks it will be the 30 days 4/26/10 not fixed anything. *Tr
The vehicle's transmission leaked fluid. *Nm the consumer had the transmission repaired at a local transmission shop and requested reimbursement from the manufacturer. The manufacturer refused to reimburse the money because the repairs were not made by a saturn dealer. *Nm
TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE. *AK
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway. And a deer jumped in front of vehicle . Consumer applied brakes and was forced on the shoulders. Dealership was aware of problem.*Ak
Complete rupture of tire at junction of sidewall (inside) and tread for approximately 180 degrees, with radiating ruptures in the sidewall from the wheel rim to the tread rupture.*Ak (dot number: w27j bcd tiresize: p185/65r14)
Saturn SC: every year compared
All SC years2000 Saturn SC vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Saturn SC | 7 | 7 | C | |
| 2000 Saturn LS | 387 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SL | 171 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SW | 15 | 7 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SC1 | 8 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn LW200 | 4 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn Aura | 3 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn S-Series Only | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2000 Saturn SC
Does the 2000 Saturn SC have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SC: park / neutral start interlock switch (October 2000); tank assembly (October 2000); body (October 1999); anchorage (October 1999) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SC?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (2), wheels & tires (2), electrical system (2).
How many complaints has the 2000 Saturn SC had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 24, 2001 and the latest on November 24, 2014. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Saturn SC a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 58 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saturn SC year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saturn SC years have the most complaints?
1994 (51), 1995 (39), 2002 (38). See every Saturn SC year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Saturn SC has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data