Recalls
7campaigns
2 structure · 1 fuel system · 1 power train
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
148filed
Owner reports, 1993–2002 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
29mpg combined
$2,252/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
1.9 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
4 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (7)
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2000 Saturn SL. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 301/VENT VALVE WELD
Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported6,092 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V309000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 114/PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY
Power train · automatic transmission · park/neutral start interlock switch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
- Remedy
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported65,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V310000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 201/CONSOLE ARMREST
Structure · body
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.
Repair progress not yet reported7,505 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V297000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 210/SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE
Seat belts · front · anchorage
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
Repair progress not yet reported265,698 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V280000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 135
Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.
Repair progress not yet reported5,373 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V231000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 208
Unknown or other
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.
Repair progress not yet reported2,692 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V230000
Listed for 2000 Saturn SL. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 581
Structure · body · bumpers
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.
Repair progress not yet reported1,592 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V232000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (148)
148 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
3involved a fire
10injuries reported
2deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 148 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 35 | 23.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 34 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 17.6% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 10.1% |
| Tires | 11 | 7.4% |
| Steering | 10 | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 7 | 4.7% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 4.7% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 4.1% |
| Structure | 6 | 4.1% |
How 2000 compares with other SL years
Best and worst SL years →1993175
1994286
1995355
1996287
1997227
1998168
1999178
2000148
2001111
2002131
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 175 | 2 |
| 1994 | 286 | 1 |
| 1995 | 355 | 3 |
| 1996 | 287 | 1 |
| 1997 | 227 | 2 |
| 1998 | 168 | 0 |
| 1999 | 178 | 1 |
| 2000 | 148 | 7 |
| 2001 | 111 | 2 |
| 2002 | 131 | 0 |
This year (2000)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined
29
mpg combined
25
city
36
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,300
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 306 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year
Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 36 / 29 | $2,300 | 306 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2000 SL for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2000 Saturn SL FAQ
How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn SL have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 00V309000 (fuel system), 00V310000 (power train), 99V297000 (structure), 99V280000 (seat belt), 99V231000 (brake), 99V230000 (unknown or other), 99V232000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2000 Saturn SL problems?
Owners filed 148 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (35), Engine and engine cooling (34), Electrical system (26) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2000 Saturn SL get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 25 city, 36 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2000 SL compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2002 Saturn SL model years at least five years old, the 2001 drew the fewest complaints (111) and the 1995 the most (355). The 2000 drew 148. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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