Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2000 Saturn SL
NHTSA data on file today
The 2000 Saturn SL has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 147 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V310000 GM/FMVSS 114/PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V309000 GM/FMVSS 301/VENT VALVE WELD NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V297000 GM/FMVSS 201/CONSOLE ARMREST NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V280000 GM/FMVSS 210/SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V231000 GM/FMVSS 135 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V232000 GM/FMVSS 581 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V230000 GM/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 34 complaints
- Power Train 34 complaints
- Electrical System 24 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 12 complaints
- Tires 12 complaints
- Steering 10 complaints
Of the 147 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 147 complaints, owners report 10 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2000 Saturn SL suffers from multiple recalls, particularly in transmission, fuel system, and structural integrity. Additionally, owner complaints highlight frequent issues with the engine and powertrain, impacting the vehicle's reliability and driving experience negatively.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $600–$1,500 | common |
| transmission | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$2,500 | common |
| brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
| electrical system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 3,000 miles
- Replace brake pads as needed
- Inspect suspension annually
- Coolant service every 2 years
- Transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping
- Check engine light
- Brake pedal issues
- Unusual engine noises
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2000 Saturn SL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.