Is the 2000 Saturn LS a bad year?
382 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2000 Saturn LS were filed between 66k and 107k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 LS owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 140 (37%) | 65k–107k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 62 (16%) | 35k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 63 (16%) | 40k–94k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Steering | 35 (9%) | 37k–99k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 28 (7%) | 32k–107k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (7%) | 51k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 24 (6%) | 35k–102k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 10 (3%) | 72k–126k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 28 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 20 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 11 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 382 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Timing chain on my 2000 Saturn LS1 broke while traveling at 50 mph. Car glided to a controlled stop. Estimated repair cost $2800 due to bent valves as a result of the timing chain.
Saturn 2000 ls timing chain I purchased it new in 2000. I got stuck yesterday and aaa had to tow it. Mechanic says it's timing chain.
Dt: timing chain broke. Found information on service bulletin saying new oiling nozzle for the chain caused older nozzle does not apply oil properly on low rpms.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Saturn LS: 6
On certain sedans and wagons, the plastic housing in the rear tail lamp assembly can become distorted if the brake lamps remain on for an extended time. This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (Including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.2L L4 (L61) engines, a failure of the ignition control module may cause deterioration in idle quality, reduction in overall engine power, and the vehicle may be hard to start. Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and Mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Fuel tank assemblies in these vehicles have an over pressure relief (Opr) valve that can become stuck open in a frontal collision. If the vehicle rolls over, fuel spillage could occur. If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning and a crash could occur.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "Fuel system integrity." These vehicles may have been produced with an inoperative valve within the fuel tank assembly. If a vehicle with an inoperative valve were involved in a rollover, fuel spillage could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Saturn: 34
Repair instructions Saturn sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Saturn LS. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters
NHTSA defect investigations: 7
Timing chain breaks, engine stall
Timing chain failure-stall
Timing chain failure
Timing chain failure
Inoperative tail lamps
Neighbouring years
2001 LS: 582 complaints, consider selling.
Every Saturn LS year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2004 · All LS years side by side
Other Saturn models: Saturn Astra · Saturn Aura · Saturn ION · Saturn Outlook · Saturn SL · Saturn Sky · Saturn Vue. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Saturn LS a bad year?
382 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 144. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2000 Saturn LS were filed between 66k and 107k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn LS?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (140), exterior lighting (62), electrical system (63), steering (35), suspension (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 66k–107k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn LS have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 05V-245), Electrical system (NHTSA 03V-231), Seat belts (NHTSA 00V228003), Fuel system (NHTSA 99V-345) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.