- 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 SW Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SW with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (5) and the fuel system (2). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in October 2000 for the park / neutral start interlock switch. For comparison, the 1999 has 16 and the 2001 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical SW year, for its age
#173 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Saturn SW problems
Share of all 15 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Saturn SW 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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15 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SW
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Airbag should have been recalled and was in system but not replaced. Ignition problems with fuel not able to reach. Ignition switch wire burned and was recalled prior but not given to my make model. Muffler not able to control exhaust system.
On may 29th, 2015 at approx. 5:30 Pm est the driver's 2000 saturn sw2 had uncontrollable sudden full throttle acceleration when put into drive from reverse without a foot on the accelerator & could not be stopped by brakes while attempting to leave a private business parking lot onto a public roadway. Driver travelled approx.100 Ft. With full on brakes applied & avoided potentially striking oncoming road traffic by driving parallel to the roadway & driving head on into a roadway bridge guardrail terminal end to...
Read the full complaint
stop the forward progress of the vehicle. There was severe frontal damage to the front of the vehicle. Airbags deployed. Driver was extracted from the vehicle by the local emergency rescue squad & transported to the emergency room of the local hospital. The driver was treated for multiple fractures to the left foot & right ankle. Other physical injuries are presenting themselves a few days after the accident.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 saturn sw. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that it was due to an electrical failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn sw2. The contact was driving approximately 15 mph and attempting a turn when the rear driver side door released independently and swung open. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was told that the failure was common amongst the year, make and model. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and current mileage was 230,000. Updated 04/25/11 *bf
Letter on behalf of constituent (nc) the defective fuel tank vent valve on her 2000 saturn sw1, dealer claims there was no recall. The consumer stated the vehicle would not take gas. She went to an auto repair shop and they printed out a recall and advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer. *Jb
Two major gasket problems with a saturn 2000 sw2 wagon. Total repair cost $1,500.*Ak
While driving at a low speed and without any warning vehicle would stall, causing the driver to pull off the road.*Ak
The rear stabilizer links froze up, due to road dirt, salt etc. *Ak *jb
The bolts broke, which caused the driver seat back to collapse.*Jb
While driving at highway speed the engine shut down causing lost of power steering. Consumer was able to coast to the side of the road. Dealer notified said crank shaft position sensor is defective. Ts *tt
At about 70 mph on the fwy. I swerved left to avoid a collision, abs caused steering to tighten, I was unable to straighten, so I pulled harder to the right. I skidded right, hitting another vehicle with my right front at about 50mph. The srs air bags failed to deploy. I continued to slide to 180 degrees. Rolling backwards, I hit the center divider with the right rear bumper at about 35 mph. The impact caused my seat back to collapse (recline), although I was wearing a seatbelt. I was ejected and slammed the back of my head into the ceiling of the car. I was hospitalized. The impact also ruptured the fuel tank. Driving conditions were clear, and dry. Dt
When the consumer applied the brakes the wheel shakes due to warped rotors. The rotors had been cut at 22000 miles because of the same problem. Consumer believes that the rotors were defective. *Yh
Stress induced cracking of exhaust system resonator outlet end plate.*Ak
While driving in warm temperature windshield will get film on inside without any warning. Dealer/manufacturer aware of the problem, no solution yet. *Ak *ml
Rear passenger's seat built-in locking clip; upon installing a child seat the locking clip broke in half. Consumer has contacted manufacturer. Parts beening sent out. Please provide any further details. *Ak
Saturn SW: every year compared
All SW years2000 Saturn SW vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Saturn SW | 15 | 7 | C | |
| 2000 Saturn LS | 387 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SL | 171 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SC1 | 8 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2000 Saturn SC | 7 | 7 | C | 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 SW
Does the 2000 Saturn SW have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SW: 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 SW?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (5), fuel system (2), seats & seat belts (2).
How many complaints has the 2000 Saturn SW had?
15 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 24, 2000 and the latest on November 14, 2016. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Saturn SW a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saturn SW 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 SW years have the most complaints?
1995 (36), 1997 (31), 1994 (30). See every Saturn SW year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Saturn SW 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