no report yet
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Risk. 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…
2003 Saturn L200Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 138 owner complaints about the 2003 Saturn L200, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 7, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Saturn L200 has problems
138 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
50Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
18Engine and engine cooling
16Exterior lighting2 crash/fire/injury
14Fuel system, gasoline
11Steering
10Visibility
9Engine
8Air bags
8Power train
5015 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 50 | 6 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 16 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 14 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 2 |
| Visibility | 10 | 2 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 5 |
| Power train | 8 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 50 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2003 Saturn L200 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Seat belts
Risk. IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
no report yet
Ignition: module
Risk. FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE.
no report yet
Windshield wiper/washer: motor
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
50kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 46 electrical system complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles39under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other L200 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the L200 median. How we score
'03
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Saturn L200, and the recalls they led to.
- TIMING CHAIN FAILURENo recall
- TIMING CHAIN FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What L200 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
BRAKELIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING TWICE. ALSO MULTIPLE ELECTRICLE PROBLEMS. ON 1 OCCASION, ABS LIGHT WAS OUT, CAME ON AGAIN WITH RESTART. ANOTHER TIME FUEL GAGUE SHOWED EMPTY, SHOWED FULL ON RESTART. ANOTHER TIME TURNED KEY AND NO ELECRIC AT ALL, UNPLUGGED BATTERY AND ALL WAS WELL.
LIGHT FLASHING ON DASH BOARD, CLIMATE CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF,OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON AND OF. EVERYTHING THAT'S ELECTRIC LIKE THE SUN ROOF. AM AFRAID OF GETTING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGH WAY. PLEASE HELP ME. [XXX]. I LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS ON RECALL. THANK YOU. WE ARE SECOND OWNER…
THREE TIMES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD SHUT OFF, LEAVING THE PASSENGERS STRANDED. AFTER AWHILE, THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD BECAUSE FUNCTIONAL. TWICE, THE VEHICLE ELCECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS CHECKED, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. NOTE: THE LAST DATE…
Own a 2003 L200?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.