NHTSA lists 138 complaints for the 2003 Saturn L200, 7 of them mention a crash and 7 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as SATURN L200.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
4 recalls.
Date: 2005-06-02. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2005-04-20. Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2003-06-23. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: 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 CATAL (excerpt)
Consequence: FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. (excerpt)
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2002-10-29. Systems: VISIBILITY.
Defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
2 investigations; 0 open.
PE06006
Opened: 2006-01-24. Closed: 2006-06-06.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ON DECEMBER 12, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION (DP05-008) REQUESTING THE INVESTIGATION OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURES THAT COULD CAUSE STALLING IN SATURN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L (L61) ENGINE. ODI OPENED PE06-006 ON JANUARY 24, 2006, WITH 24 VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGED A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP OPERATING.ON APRIL 12, 2006, ODI RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM GENER
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP05008
Opened: 2005-12-20. Closed: 2006-02-06.
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE
ANALYSIS UNDERTAKEN IN RESPONSE TO THE PETITION IDENTIFIED 26 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING TIMING CHAIN FAILURES IN MY 2000-2003 SATURN L-SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE 2.2L L4 ENGINE.MOST COMPLAINTS OF TIMING CHAIN FAILURE REPORTEDLY RESULTED IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND STALLING.ODI ALSO NOTED THAT CERTAIN MY 2002-2003 SATURN VUE AND MY 2003 SATURN ION MODEL VEHICLES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE VEHICL
Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
382 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 165 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 62 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 59 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 28 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 21 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 15 |
|---|
| WHEELS | 14 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 13 |
|---|
11020816
Date: 2025-07-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
11007208
Date: 2024-09-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician s
11006621
Date: 2024-08-26. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is com
11004557
Date: 2024-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
11002312
Date: 2024-06-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
11000576
Date: 2024-05-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process.
10252735
Date: 2024-03-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
10251890
Date: 2024-03-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
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 how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
10250775
Date: 2024-02-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
This 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 oiling system.
10249579
Date: 2024-01-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN.
This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.