L-Series (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Saturn L-Series Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
L81
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 4 additional engine variants with limited data
LL0
1.9L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LV6
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.2-I4-Gas
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L66
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Saturn L-Series, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series
On a used 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (299), the cooling system (235) and the electrical system (190). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 299 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 190 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series about the electrical system.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 110 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series about the exterior lighting.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 79 owner complaints on the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series about the fuel system, all engines combined.
Recalls (13)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.
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.
CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.
Show 8 older recalls
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP MISSING OR IMPROPERLY SEATED. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE CABLE CAN SLIP OUT OF ITS BRACKET AND THE TRANSAXLE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SHIFT LEVER. THE DRIVER MAY PUT THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK, BUT THE TRANSAXLE MAY BE IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS A LOWER SIDE IMPACT SAFING SENSOR THRESHOLD THAN SPECIFIED. BECAUSE OF THIS REDUCED THRESHOLD, THERE COULD BE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG WITH SEVERE SLAMMING OF THE DOOR.
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."
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." BECAUSE OF A PROBLEM IN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH ASSEMBLY, THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT WORK OR MAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE DRIVER USES THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER OR HAZARD WARNING SWITCH. IF THE VEHICLE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS ARE NOT FLASHING, THEN THE TURN SIGNAL LAMPS MAY NOT BE FLASHING.
Alternatives in Midsize Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series complaints?
Owners have filed 772 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system.
Is the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 772 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series have?
NHTSA has 772 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series?
NHTSA lists 13 recalls covering some 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Saturn L-Series?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the L-Series have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2005 Saturn L-Series. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 772 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.