2000 Saturn SL engine and engine cooling problems
34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2000 Saturn SL — 23% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Timing chain failure of saturn 2000 today while driving on an interstate highway my saturn stopped working and I had to drift to the side of the road park in a dangerous location get towed only to find out it was the timing chain that broke causing a catastrophic engine failure. I have to junk my…”
filed May 27, 2011
“When I start my car or park it after driving the rpms shoot up extremely high & the engine races. When I shut the car off the engine makes a loud clunk due to shutting it off with the rpms that high. I have had it diagnosed several times & no one knows what is wrong. I had the air idle sensor…”
filed Oct 19, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains…
16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 13, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on 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…
22-NA-074 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement.
18-NA-073 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
22-NA-009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 17, 2023
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other SL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 SL | 16 | 12% |
| 2001 SL | 18 | 16% |
| 1999 SL | 45 | 25% |
| 1998 SL | 28 | 17% |
| 1997 SL | 38 | 17% |
| 1996 SL | 63 | 22% |
| 1995 SL | 67 | 19% |
| 1994 SL | 38 | 13% |
| 1993 SL | 30 | 17% |
| 1992 SL | 24 | 20% |
| 1991 SL | 2 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2000 Saturn SL
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.