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Engine & cooling

2000 Saturn SL Engine problems

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SL's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 21% of all its complaints, most recently on December 5, 2014. They describe 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

The timing chain went out and needs replaced. The engine cranks but will not turn over. Our mechanic told us we're looking at a $1000 plus repair. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10662400
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

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! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10632710
Engine & cooling

Timing chain failure of saturn 2000 today while driving on an interstate highway my saturn stopped working and I had to drift to the side of the road park in a dangerous location get towed only to find out it was the timing chain that broke causing a catastrophic engine failure. I have to junk my car and get a new one. I am very distressed to find the recall of the timing chain in this vehicle and since it was lawfully registered to me am wondering why I have no recall from you? *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10402914
Engine & cooling

When I start my car or park it after driving the rpms shoot up extremely high & the engine races. When I shut the car off the engine makes a loud clunk due to shutting it off with the rpms that high. I have had it diagnosed several times & no one knows what is wrong. I had the air idle sensor replaced thinking it was the problem but it is not. This is very bad for the engine.*Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10288949
Engine & cooling

Timing chain on my 2000 saturn l broke. I only have 83,000 miles on it. I have read a lot of complaints online about this problem occurring consistently with gm cars, especially saturns. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10240697
Engine & cooling

My saturn sl2000 is 8 years old. Recent repairs are fuel cap replaced due to broken cap seal. Rear bushings, gasket replacemant gasket top replacement and now air conditioner compressor wont work. All problems discovered since may 2008. Repairs performed on all except air condition which was discovered today 6-25-08. 1000 Dollars approx. All 3month maintenance performed on schedule since purchase of car dec, 1999. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10232346
Engine & cooling

Driving my 2000 saturn sl2 70 mph check engine light suddenly comes on, engine stops running pull over, luckily clear conditions, safely. Towed car to dealer. Dealer says timing chain or belt may have broken. Dealer calls back, says I need a $7000.00 Replacement engine. This car has cost me over 5000.00 In repairs. Saturn has not offered any sort of explanation. Just a broken timing chain. There are many many complaints I have read online. I am furious. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10210747
Engine & cooling1 injury

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...

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engine lights came on. I was going at approximately 75-80 mph and there was no knocking heard prior to engine failure. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the interstate and noticed smoke billowing out of the engine compartment. Immediately called 9-1-1 to report my vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived and said the engine had not been on fire, but that the engine threw a rod through the block. The fire department asked about knocking prior and I told them there was none. In fact, a mechanic had just looked at it the day before. I recall that the change oil soon light had been coming on intermittently but never steady. The oil light also kept flickering but was never steady. The rpm's increased from 2500 to 3000 and returned to 2500. No previous history of problems reported by dealer. The vehicle was towed to northland community and technical college in east grand forks. The automotive mechanics looked at the engine and said it is totaled. Currently in the process of locating a new or used engine to replace. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10210018
Engine & cooling

Vehicle coolant light low indicator came on. Vehicle was taken to mechanic to service. Upon inspection oil was found in the coolant reservoir. Further inspection revealed a cracked cylinder head. Car had under 100000 miles, and had been maintained. Saturn issued company bulletin 99p01. However, they did not feel any responsibility to repair this problem for a minimal charge due to this defect. Were only willing to offer 25% of the approximate $2200 repair charge. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10190289
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn sl. While driving 35 mph, the engine failed and would not restart. The vehicle was towed and it was discovered that it contained no oil even though it was serviced three weeks prior. The contact was told that a new engine would cost $3,400 and a used engine without warranty would cost $2,400. The contact stated that no signs of leaking, draining, or oil burning were present, yet the oil is evaporating. The vin was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 53,000. Updated 01-11-08. *Kb updated 12/12/07

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10189949
Engine & cooling

I purchased a 2000 saturn sl2 which was used, therefore, I had a shop thoroughly check that all major components were in working order...I was told that all were in great shape..Ie., The engine, starter, and any vital parts. The car ran great...Well, for 5-6 mos. I was in the middle of driving,when the car just shut off...The car would not start again...No warning, no lights, nothing! The car is now in the shop to find the problem. The lights and radio worked but I just heard clicking when turning the ignition....

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With only 80,000 miles on the car, the mechanic says that the engine is shot, there's nothing he can do other than put a brand new engine in it...With a small fee of 4000.00. Both of us do not understand why the car was in great shape and within 6 months and barely 3,000 miles the engine went from great to gone! I have read several documents from this site and there are many persons with 2000 saturns that are saying that they too have a car that stopped suddenly and the stories sound very similar to mine...I've seen many of have similar vin #s...I identified with the docs regarding the 2000-2003 saturn l-series issues, although, mine is of the s-series (i guess, because it is an sl-2). The letter discussing this issue referred to (ea06-009), the defect petition (dp05-008) or the odi investigation pe06-006 that was opened on 1/24/06. I am not sure that those document include my vehicle being that I thought my engine was of the size 1.9L, i-4, mp, dohc. If you have the time to view the docs mentioned, they are basically describing the same prob. That I have. Will you please find out if I am incorrect with the info. That I've viewed and if there has been an investigation into the problems that I've had for over 1 yr. Of course, if you have any questions, advice, or know what I should do or with whom I should speak...Please let me know. I would greatly appreciate any help that you could provide me with.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10173312
Engine & cooling

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. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10146395
Engine & cooling

A 2000 sl1 saturn passenger vehicle is the source of this complaint. Saturns are often recognized as being 200k mile cars - look for the wall at the service centers. - Polaroids of 'happy' saturn customers. After 94k miles, my saturn had a piston fragment inside the engine. The vehicle motor is a total loss. I just paid it off 6 months ago. Saturn refused to supply any explanation or offer to stand behind their product.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10135824
Engine & cooling

2000 SATURN SL2 INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT. *MR *SC

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10119250
Engine & cooling

2000 Saturn sl-2 with 021500 miles; anti-freeze leak from intake manifold gasket. This will cause a problem with the emissions system.This seems to be a manufacturers defect,causing a burden onto the consumer.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10116118
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

While driving transmission failed with no warning. *Ak while driving, the vehicle all of a sudden overheated and stalled. The consumers mechanic told her the intake manifold was severely damaged. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10111466
Engine & cooling

The consumer experienced an exhaust problem. The muffler, exhaust pipe and manifold needed to be replaced. Owner did take the vehicle back to the dealer where it was sealed. The sealant just melted the problem still exist. Provide further details. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10097233
Engine & cooling

The consumer was told that a risk pin fell from the vehicle. The consumer stated while she was driving she started to hear a loud knocking noise. The next day after a couple of phone calls, she had her vehicle towed to a saturn dealer. It was determined that a new engine was needed. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10089334
Engine & cooling

60,000 Miles engine check light came on, it turns out the intake manifold gasket had a crack and had to be replaced. I feel this was a manufacturing defect, but the dealer would not replace for free.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10058980
SteeringEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainFire

Had to replace transmission casing had a bad leak wiring harness from ignition caught on fire putting me and my families life at risk rattles real bad in rear portion of car heater quit working

Filed Incident Steering · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10070025
Engine & cooling

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Dealer could not fix the vehicle because they were unable to duplicate the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10053383
Engine & cooling

The consumer stated that the check engine light came on and stayed on. The vehicle only had 60000 miles and was three years old. It was determined that when one of the heater core hoses blew. The consumer felt it was not normal wear. *Ak *nlm *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10032084
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

I have a 2000 saturn sl1 (auto trans). The oil galley plug come out of the back of the engine and broke my flywheel, torque converter, and the transmission. Saturn says it is not their fault and they will not pay for it to be fixed, but this plug can not be touch without taking the whole engine out and taking the engine apart. Know this now the last one to touch this plug is saturn when they were putting the engine together now I have to pay for their mistake, now a plug that does nothing and can not be touch or a...

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reason to be serviced, has caused $2200 of damage. Knowing all of this, why should I pay for their mistake. Is there anyway that you can help me. Call if you can or can't help please!*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10033003
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Check engine light appeared on the dashboard and suddenly shut down. All the electrical light components were off. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10033966
Engine & cooling

When the consumer started the vehicle, the oil light illuminated, the vehicle was towed to the dealership, who stated the oil pump failed. *Ak *ts *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10027114

Saturn SL engine complaints by year

SL engine problems, every year

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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

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