2000 Saturn LS Steering Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

10794345

Incident

Nov 16, 2015

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10567105

Incident

Mar 3, 2014

Mileage

80,150 mi

I HAD JUST GONE TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY 2000 SATURN LW2 WHEN I WAS ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM THE GAS STATION. I WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE, AND HAD JUST TURNED RIGHT ONTO A STREET WITH A HILL. SUDDENLY, MY CAR STARTED SPUTTERING SO I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO PULL OVER. I WASN'T COMPLETELY OUT OF THE STREET WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING GOING DOWN THE HILL AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR SO I PUT IT IN PARK, WHICH STOPPED IT INSTANTLY, CAUSING MY NECK TO JERK, WHICH HAS BEEN SORE FROM WHIPLASH FOR THE PAST FOUR DAYS SO FAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHO FOUND BITS OF MY TIMING BELT ALL THROUGH THE MOTOR, WHICH BLEW THE ENTIRE ENGINE. AFTER HEARING THAT IT WOULD BE OVER $3,000 FOR A USED ENGINE INSTALLED, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DETERMINE OUR NEXT MOVE, FINANCIALLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10481318

Incident

Oct 17, 2012

Mileage

102,012 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10452336

Incident

Feb 1, 2012

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE KEY TO TURN ON THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,200.

NHTSA ID

10437528

Incident

Nov 28, 2011

Mileage

44,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10435973

Incident

Oct 27, 2011

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS1. HE STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING LARGE QUANTITIES OF ENGINE OIL. THE DEALER STATED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR A SECOND OPINION TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE CEASED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF OVER 10 MPH OR ATTEMPTING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. ALSO, WHILE IN THE REVERSE MODE, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER OVER 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 103,000.

NHTSA ID

10304604

Incident

Apr 15, 2001

Mileage

102,999 mi

KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. I HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN LEADING TO ITS LINKAGE. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY A POTENTIAL LIFE RISKING PROBLEM. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THE PART IN QUESTION WAS NOT ONE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO UNDERGO WEAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR LIFE! ONE MAY NOT GET A SECOND CHANCE IF THE STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10191226

Incident

May 18, 2007

Mileage

98,000 mi

I PURCHASED A PRE-CERTIFIED VEHICLE FOR CARMAX 12/13/03. ON 12/16/03 I HAD TO RETURN THE CARE BECAUSE I HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AS IF SOME WAS VERY LOOSE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR A GAVE ME A LOAN CAR. I DID NOT GET MY CAR BACK UNTIL 01/05/04 . CARMAX DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOUND THE STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND WAS SUBLET TO AIRPORT SATURN FOR REPAIRS. I COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE RETURN OF MY CAR BUT THE SERVICE MANAGER ALWAYS LOANED ME CAR TO KEEP ME QUITE, BECAUSE I TOLD THEM I WANTED ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE THE CONTRACT STATES IF YOU ARE IN ANY WAY DISSATISFIED WITH A CAR YOU CAN RETURN IT WITHIN 5 DAYS. I TRIED TO RETURN MY CAR THE NEXT DAY BUT THEY TOLD ME SINCE THE PURCHASE WAS ALREADY MADE I HAD TO GO THROUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WOULD HONOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED. NOW AUGUST 31,2006 I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, THE STEERING SHAFT IS MAKING THE SAME NOISE ALL OVER AGAIN MY CAR IS STILL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY,BUT IS VERY CLOSE TO THE END OF THE WARRANTY. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET THE SERVICE I NEED FROM CARMAX. *JB

NHTSA ID

10167195

Incident

Dec 13, 2004

Mileage

36,000 mi

EXCESSIVE NOISE FROM THE STEERING RACK, LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10139178

Incident

Sep 15, 2005

THE POWER STEERING FAILS AFTER ABOUT 5 MINS OF OPERATION. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS AN "UNSPECIFIED FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK", AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1500 TO REPLACE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE SPRING OF 05. I CONTACTED SATURN CORPORATE DIRECTLY, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10137819

Incident

May 1, 2005

Mileage

55,000 mi

DT: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ON THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE OFF WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON. THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WERE PINS MISSING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER SAID SATURN WAS CONTACTED BY THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR TAILLIGHTS THAT MAKE THEM GO OUT WHEN THE CONSUMER HITS A SLIGHT BUMP OR POTHOLE. THE CONSUMER CAN TIGHTEN THE TAILLIGHT AND IT WILL WORK PROPERLY FOR A WHILE THEN STOP. CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10135157

Incident

Aug 22, 2005

Mileage

48,000 mi

CURRENTLY THE BLOWER MOTOR FOR THE HEATER/DEFROSTER IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, INPARTICULAR WITH THE BRAKES AND STEERING. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPAIRED TWICE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED TWICE, AND RECENTLY THE BRAKE DRUMS, ROTATORS AND PADS. I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPAIRED AND FROM TIME TO TIME NEED TO HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL LUBRICATED WHEN IT STARTS TO MAKE NOISE AGAIN. I AM WONDERING IF I AM THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE PROBLEMS OR ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME CAR HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN I AM DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO HAVE THINGS CHECKED WITH WHEELS AND STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID

10104862

Incident

Dec 28, 2004

Mileage

62,000 mi

AT 35,558 MILES VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE POWER ASSIST PUMP ASSEMBLY. AT 61,000 MILES PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10095412

Incident

Jul 31, 2004

Mileage

35,558 mi

WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CRUNCHING NOISE WHEN A TURN WAS MADE. THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. IT WAS JUST REPLACED AGAIN. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THAT THERE WERE ANY DEFECTS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10083487

Incident

Apr 14, 2004

Mileage

27,000 mi

AT 54,000 MILES MY WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, ENGINE OIL COOLER, AND POWER STEERING PUMP ALL FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. *AK

NHTSA ID

10075395

Incident

Jun 13, 2004

Mileage

54,050 mi

2000 SATURN 4CYL L SERIES:POWER STEERING PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, AND IDLER ARM ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 72,000 MILES. PARTS STARTED TO FAIL AT 65,000 MILES, MAKES A NOISE LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING.*AK

NHTSA ID

10075028

Incident

May 19, 2004

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENLY FAILING. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON ALL THREE BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T WORK. BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND HAD ME PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER. THE MECHANIC TRACED OUT AND REPAIRED A GROUND WIRE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID

10057511

Incident

Jan 28, 2004

Mileage

60,000 mi

I OWN A 2000 SATURN LS. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SAN ANTONIO, TX BACK IN SEP OR OCT 2003. MY CHIEF COMPLAINT WAS THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD GET EXTREMELY HOT WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON. I MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR I WAS AFRAID THAT THE CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR WITH MY GRANDKIDS AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY. THE SERVICE ADVISOR ASSESSED THE HEAT TO THE STEERING COLUMN AND HE AGREED THAT IT WAS "ABNORMALLY HOT." THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT HE HAS HAD COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE BEFORE, HAD INFORMED SATURN OF THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAD NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY FOR IT. THE CURRRENT GM RECALL FOR 98-00 VEHICLES SHOULD INCLUDE SATURN VEHICLES ALSO BECAUSE MY CAR IS EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE TO GET THE MANUFACTURER'S ATTENTION. LIVES ARE AT STAKE. MY SATURN VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE SAME TIMEFRAME AS OTHER VEHICLES IN THE RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID

10056937

Incident

Oct 15, 2003

2000 SATURN LS1: SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND TAKEN IT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: SEVERAL VOLUNTARY RECALLS, THEN I HAVE HAD 3 ACTUATOR MOTORS IN MY DOORS GO BAD (ALL DIFFERENT DOORS); CRADLE BUSH BEARINGS NEEDING REPLACEMENT; FRONT SUSPENSION LINKAGES NEEDING REPLACEMENT; THE CAR BATTERY EXPLODED; EMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. EVERYTIME I GRIPE TO SATURN THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO LOOK INTO, I FEEL LIKE THERE ARE NUMEROUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IN THE 2000 LS SERIES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10056772

Incident

Dec 1, 2003

I HAVE A 2000 LS1 SATURN. I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN OTHER THAN FOR MAINTENANCE BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG. OCTOBER 2002- MY HYDRAULICS WENT OUT OF MY CLUTCH CAUSING ME TO BE STALLED WITHOUT A CAR. A FEW MONTHS AGO IT WAS RECALLED DUE TO SOMETHING GONE WRONG IN THE REAR AXLE. SO SATURN REPLACED IT. ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2003, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS HEARING A RUBBING NOISE WHEN I MADE SHARP LEFT TURNS. TURNS OUT I NEED A $1400 NEW STEERING RACK BECAUSE THERE IS AN INTERNAL LEAK FROM MY POWER STEERING FLUID. MY CAR ONLY HAS 36,800 MILES ON IT. BUT OF COURSE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT 800 MILES AGO. I DON'T THINK A FAIRLY NEW CAR SHOULD BE HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS. *LA

NHTSA ID

10043126

Incident

Oct 16, 2003

Mileage

36,800 mi

FOR THE SECOND TIME POWER STEERING MADE LOUD CLICKING NOISE. ON PREVIOUS OCCASION LAST YEAR, THE POWER STEERING VIBRATED ALSO. AT THAT TIME THE CYLINDER AND MOST OF THE MECHANISMS IN THE STEERING COLUMN WERE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10037242

Incident

Sep 3, 2003

2000 L-SERIES WAGON HAS CONTINUING POWER STEERING PROBLEMS. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED 2/01 AND AGAIN ON 8/01 AT WHICH TIME THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS ALSO REPLACED. NOW ON 8/03 THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN!!!*AK

NHTSA ID

10033269

Incident

Feb 8, 2001

Mileage

9,011 mi

STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AT 54,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID

10032765

Incident

Aug 13, 2003

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO NOISE. AND REAR MIRROR VIEW MIRROR WAS REPLACED.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID

10007277