Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Saturn LS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
NOTHING, THANK GOD HAD HAPPENED YET, BUT IT WILL IN A MATTER OF TIME, HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE NO IDEA. THE PROBLEM IS THE MOTOR CRADLE OR FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, THE FRONT WHERE THE MOTOR SETS HAD WHOLES RUSTED IN IT, THE WHOLE THING IS RUSTING AWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AROUND ALL OF THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
I WAS DRIVING A 98 TOYOTA TACOMA ON A 45 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN A PEDESTRIAN IN THE ROAD CAUSED ALL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO SUDDENLY STOP. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND WENT INTO THE MEDIAN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP MY VEHICLE IN THE MEDIAN AND STRUCK THE 2000 SATURN COUPE DRIVERS SIDE FENDER TO DRIVERS SIDE FENDER. UPON IMPACT THE BODY OF THE SATURN BURST INTO 12 TO 14 INCH SHARDS OF WHATEVER THE BODY IS MADE OF, (PERHAPS FIBERGLASS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR). ONE SUCH SHARD SHATTERED THE DRIVERS WINDOW AND IMPALED ME THROUGH MY LEFT SHOULDER AND LODGED ITSELF PROTRUDING SLIGHTLY FROM MY BACK. THE EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WERE UNABLE TO STOP THE BLEEDING SO I WAS AIRLIFTED TO ORMC FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY, AND AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED. THE SURGEON STATED THAT ANOTHER INCH WOULD HAVE MEANT ME BLEEDING OUT IN THE ROAD. THAT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE SHOT DEADLY PROJECTILES UPON IMPACT. *TR
WHEN I WENT TO GET NEW TIRES FOR THIS CAR I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY FRAME AND SHOULD GO RIGHT TO A DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY AUTHORIZED IT FOR ME TO GO TO MY NEAREST DEALERSHIP, AT THE DEALERS CONVENIENCE AND MY EXPENSE FOR A REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM. I MADE THE APPOINTMENT BUT IN THE MEAN TIME THE FRONT WHEELS STATED TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY. I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR, SO I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP AND WAS GIVEN THE ADVICE TO LEAVE THIS CAR PARKED. DO NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL. CONTACTING SATURN AT THIS POINT THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. NEVER HAVE I HEARD OF A FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE, AND FRONT WHEELS EVER RUSTING THROUGH ON A CAR BEFORE. THEY SAID IT WAS MY CHOICE TO HAVE IT FIXED, THEREFORE THEY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO LOOK INTO THIS ANY LONGER. I BELIEVE I HAD NO CHOICE OTHER THAN TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT THERE AND THEN. NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE DONE BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING NOISE AND STEERING WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. I TRAILERED THE VEHICLE BACK HOME. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THE FRONT SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH IN MULTIPLE SPOTS, VERY DANGEROUS!!! I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO GET A NEW SUBFRAME AND I WAS ADVISED THE SUBFRAME IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND TO TRY FINDING ONE IN A SALVAGE YARD. I CONTACTED A SALVAGE YARD AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A FEW AND IT WOULD BE NO PROBLEM TO PULL ONE. I GOT THE CALL TODAY SAYING THEY WERE SORRY BUT ALL OF THE FRONT SUBFRAMES ON THE SATURN L SERIES THEY HAVE ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND ARE NOT USABLE. I CONTACTED OTHER YARDS WITH THE SAME RESPONSE. I ENDED UP HAVING TO FIND A SALVAGE YARD DOWN SOUTH THAT HAD A USABLE SUBFRAME. I WENT ONLINE TO FIND NUMEROUS FORUM POSTS DISCUSSING THIS TOPIC AND I'M FINDING IT IS VERY COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE. WHY WAS THERE NEVER A RECALL FOR THIS WITH SUCH A WIDESPREAD SAFETY HAZARD? FROM WHAT I CAN TELL IT HAPPENS ON ALL MODEL YEARS OF THE L SERIES. THE IRONY IS THE REST OF THE CAR IS VERY CLEAN, NO RUST ON THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THERE IS NO CLEAR EXPLANATION WHY THE SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE CORROSION PERFORATION AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE WITH NO OTHER RUST/CORROSION ON THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THIS COULD HAVE HAD A BAD OUTCOME. THANK YOU. *TR
MY SATURN HAS A MASSIVELY RUSTED SUBFRAME. *TR
SUBFRAME ON SATURN TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY ONLY THING HOLDING PASSENGER WHEEL ON WAS STRUT BRACKET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LSERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN INDEPENDENTLY STEERING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000. UPDATED 10/25/12 *CN UPDATED 11/08/12 ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF UPDATED 11/15/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LW1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,063.
THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO ENTER THE RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT AND MADE A NOISE. I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A BEARING OR BRAKE PROBLEM BUT I HAD NOT HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE THAT SO I WENT ON SINCE IT SEAMED TO BE DRIVING OK. WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE I WENT TO GO INTO THE LEFT LANE AND REALIZED THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. I SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD THERE THE K FRAME HAD LESS THAN 1/2" BEFORE BREAKING COMPLETELY AND COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE IT HAS TO DO WITH STEERING. I HAVE REGULAR MAINT ON THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. THE UNDERSIDE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED. I FEEL IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE FRAME. I'M SURE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. *KB
THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC STATED WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR. *TR
VEHICLE PULLED WHEN BRAKING. SYMPTOMS STARTED ON A MONDAY AS A LIGHT PULL. MORE NOTICEABLE ABOVE 50 MPH, AND NOT NOTICEABLE BELOW 35. BY THURSDAY MORNING, PULL WAS SEVERE ABOVE 50MPH. STAYED TILL AFTER 6:00 AT NIGHT TO AVOID TRAFFIC. RIDE HOME WAS "ENTERTAINING" AS STEERING WHEEL DID NOT ALWAYS GO BACK TO "CENTER" WHEN GOING STRAIGHT. I THOUGHT I NEEDED A STEERING RACK UNTIL I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SATURDAY. MY INSPECTION SHOWED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME (A.K.A. ENGINE CRADLE) FAILED WHERE THE "PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR BUSHING WAS ATTACHED". A SIZABLE PIECE OF FRAME RIPPED OUT, WITH BUSHING STILL ATTACHED TO LOWER CONTROL ARM. RUSTED PERFORATIONS IN SUBFRAME VISIBLE APPROXIMATELY 6" BEHIND WHERE FRAME FAILED. TWO SETS OF RIMS (SUMMER AND WINTER) WITH NO "DINGS" TESTIFIES THAT VEHICLE NEVER EVEN HIT A CURB IN 170,000 MILES. 4 CYLINDER, SO NO EXHAUST NEARBY TO "WEAKEN STEEL". BAD CHOICE OF CORROSION PROTECTION IN A CRITICAL PART OF THE FRAME, AND/OR UNDERSIZING OF STEEL THICKNESS TO ACCOMMODATE FOR CORROSION IS MY ESTIMATE OF "FAILURE MODE". CONTACTED DEALER AND NO REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE. WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE, VERY DISAPPOINTED IT FAILED THIS WAY. LAST VEHICLE I JUNKED WAS A 17 YEAR OLD 1973 OLDS. EVERYTHING BUT THE SUBFRAME INDICATED I'D GET ANOTHER 5 YEARS OUT OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
4 CYLINDER SHOT, ENGINE SHOT.THIS 2000 LS2 V-6 HAD THE WHOLE 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE DONE, TIMING CHAIN BLA BLA BLA.ELECTRIC WINDOWS,4 WAYS HAZARDS, TURN SIGNALS,ENGINE,A/C-HEATER,BLOWER MOTOR,HANDLES BROKE-INTERIOR ONLY,CAR RAN GOOD WHEN IT RAN BUT WHEN IT STOPPED IT ALWAYS COSTS MONEY. *TR
SATURN LW2 4DR WAGON 2000, WINDSHIELD WIPER MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH BROKE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER EDGE OF THE FRONT DOOR IS A HAZARD. THE EDGE OF THE DOOR IS 56 INCHES FROM THE GROUND AND IS SHARP. *JB
2000 SATURN L W2 4DR WAGON, SHARP EDGE ON FRONT DOOR, POOR DESIGN. *BF THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THE SHARP EDGES ON THE DOOR MAY CAUSE BODILY INJURY TO HIM AND/OR HIS WIFE. *NM
FAULTY ELECTRICAL TAIL LIGHTS; WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE ON BRAKE LIGHTS DONT COME ON. HEAD LIGHTS OFF TAIL LIGHTS COME ON. ALSO, INTERIOR DASHLIGHTS DIM UPON THE DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER SATURNS WITH SAME PROBLEM...ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *AK
BOTH REAR LIGHTS ASSEMBLIES SHORTED OUT, LEAVING MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY REAR LIGHTING. SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEY KNEW THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE UNITS SHORTING OUT AND THAT THEY WOULD "ONLY" CHARGE $25 PER TAIL LIGHT FOR THE REPLACEMENT UNITS INSTEAD OF THE COTS ($165) FOR EACH. I FEEL THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY PROBLEM AND THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECALL AND REPLACEMENT- ESPECIALLY IN THE 2000 SATURN WHICH HAS BEEN A COMPLETE 'SAFETY' NIGHTMARE WITH PROBLEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO COUNT.*AK
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE DASHBOARD AND VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
DEFECTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOUND ON 2000 SATURN LS1.*MR THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED *TS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUSE. THE BACK DOOR WAS NOT EVEN WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
CONSUMER STATES A/C EXPERIENCED A FUNNY SMELL, DEALER FOUND COROBEAL INFESTATION IN EVAP VENTS, A/C MADE LOUD NOISE WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, THERE IS A RUMBLING SOUND WHEN RECYCLE BUTTON IS ON AND THE FAN IS OFF, FAULTY VENTILATION IS CAUSING AIR TO COME FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *SLC
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 37,929 MILES BECAUSE THE INSIDE EDGES WERE WORN BELOW SPECIFICATION AND THE BRAKE SHOES WOULD NOT SEAT PROPERLY ON THE ROTOR. THE EDGES COULD NOT BE TURNED OR RESURFACED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF METAL GRINDING INTO THE ROTOR. ALSO, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR UNEVEN WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE RETAINER SPRING BROKE. THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW IS INOPERABLE. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE CONSOLE. CONSUMER ALSO CLAIMS THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001. THERE IS STILL VIBRATION AND PLAY BEING FELT IN THE STEERING. THERE WAS A BENT HUB WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATION. *JG
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE VIBRATES, DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE, TWICE AT 17748 AND 24575 MILES. AT 40 MPH VEHICLE POPS AND JERKS INTO GEAR, WHOOSHING AND GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, HEARING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AND DEALER FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP BAD, AUTO LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *YD
LEFT REAR BACK DOOR HANDLE HAD BROKEN OFF IN CONSUMER'S HANDS. FRONT DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS BROKE AND REPLACED UNDER RECALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WAS ALSO REPLACED. *YD
THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADES WERE DEFECTIVE. *YH
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