Exterior lighting: brake lights
Free remedy
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.
Research · Midsize Cars
2000 Saturn LSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 387 owner complaints for the 2000 Saturn LS. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (141) and electrical system (62). The EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
20–24mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2005
Owner complaints
387
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,600est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Electrical system: module
Free remedy
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. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Seat belts
Free remedy
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
387 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1999 – Jun 2024
- Engine and engine cooling141
- Electrical system62
- Exterior lighting59
- Steering33
- Structure26
- Suspension25
- Power train22
- Tires20
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each LS model year we’ve synced.
Only one model year synced so far.
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 6
- Injuries reported
- 16
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
141 reports1 fire
“ENGINE BEGAN HAVING A SLOW KNOCKING NOISE, PRIOR TO THAT I WOULD HEAR A NOISE OF THE CHAIN SLAPPING, WHICH I WAS EXPLAINED TO BY SATURN THAT THIS WAS NORMAL IN MY VEHICLE. DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THEN WHILE I WAS PARKING, HEARD A LOUD BANG AND WHEN I GOT OUT - THERE WAS OIL GUSHING FROM UNDERNEATH. PARKED THE CAR AND HAVE NOT REPAIRED IT SINCE... WAS JUST DOING RESEARCH NOW TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND FOUND THAT FINALLY THERE WAS ANOTHER ROUND OF RECALLS REGARDING THE ENGINE. I HAVE ASKED MY SATURN DEALER BEFORE ABOUT THIS (WHILE THEY WERE STILL IN BUSINESS) AND WAS TOLD THAT ONLY SPECIFIC YEARS WERE COVERED... *TR”
Electrical system
62 reports3 fires
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THAT BURNED THE SOCKETS AND WIRES CAUSING THE BULBS TO SHORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS THREE TIMES AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V245000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Exterior lighting
59 reports1 crash1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE TURN SIGNAL DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE SIGNAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL CANCEL CAM ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,704.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 2.2L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
- Transmissions
- Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| LS Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| LS Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Saturn LS as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4066
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2000 LS questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn LS have?
6 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2000 Saturn LS problems?
Owners filed 387 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (141), electrical system (62), exterior lighting (59). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2000 Saturn LS get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Saturn LS at 20–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026