Check a VIN

2003 Saturn L200 visibility problems

13 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 47,233.

owner complaints
13
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
47,233
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: heater core
    2
  • Windshield wiper/washer: motor
    1
  • Windshield
    1
  • Power window devices and controls
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Related recalls

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported October 29, 2002 · 1,448 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles exhibit a condition in which the windshield wiper motor could fail during use because of improper manufacture.
Risk
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.

Recall number 02V283000 · Recall details

What 2003 Saturn L200 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 18, 2019 · Visibility · 200,000 miles · VA

Passenger side wiper blade stopped working while driving in rain.

Filed Oct 24, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 135,000 miles · CT

Bottom engine 2 cells gone dealership m676 electrical system interior and exterior blew eengine

Filed Oct 22, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · SC

I purchased a 2003 saturn l200 in january 2014. About 4 months later I noticed that the lights were flashing on and off in the car. The lights would dim and come back on. The wipers would stop working or sometimes they would just slow down. One evening I went to the store and when I returned to the car the headlights were still on I continued on home and as I started the vehicle the steering column started smoking. When I arrived back into the parking lot the headlights would not go off. I called the saturn dealership and also the saturn headquarters who both stated there are no opened recalls on the car. So I asked them if I could get a copy of the service repairs for the recalls done on the car. They said there are no such records but I have a printout of recalls for the vehicle. The federal safety agency reference #05v245000 for the break lights #03v231000 for the ignition module and #02v283000 for the windshield wipers. The problems I have experienced are the same problems as the recalls. They informed me that I should file a complaint with your organization and maybe you would initiate a recall on the vehicle. The lady at the dealership wanted me to bring it to her so they could take a look at it. But according to the articles I read on the ignition module if you continue to drive it in that condition it may cause a fire, so I did not want to do that.

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Visibility · 75,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. The contact stated that the driver's side windshield failed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v283000 (visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 105,000 miles · OK · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saturn l200. While driving at any speed or even while the vehicle is in park, the headlights turn on and off, the gauges constantly flash on the instrument panel, the door locks will lock and unlock themselves, and the windows will roll down and back up automatically. The windows are currently inoperative due to this failure. Whenever the contact drives the vehicle, he smells burning wires, but there is no smoke. He feels that the vehicle is extremely dangerous to drive. He took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the body control module was the cause of the failure. The contact did not get the vehicle repaired because he believes it should be covered under a recall due to the safety risk involved. The manufacturer stated that the owner was responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2008 · Airbags, Electrical · 47,233 miles · IN

Sometimes would have a hard time starting the car or the car would not start at all. After about a week,the check engine light and passenger seat airbag light would come on. When these lights were on, the speedometer and tachometer did not work. Shortly after that the engine lock light came on and then nothing worked. The defrost front and rear, A/C, heating control, interior lights, airbag failure light lit up, seat belt light lit up and the self locking for the doors did not engage when putting the car into gear. Sometimes I would turn the car off and about a half an hour later, the exterior lights would come on all by themselves, sometimes draining the battery if I did not notice this. I felt totally unsafe driving the car when this would happen - I had no safety features to rely on and I did not even know if I would have a car that would run. I took the car to a saturn dealer and had the bcm (body control module) replaced. I also found out that saturn is having a problem with this and I have asked others that own similar saturns also experienced this problem. This was quite costly to replace approximately $600.00 (the cheapest around). Others paid more for this repair than I did.

Filed Jan 11, 2008 · Visibility · 75,000 miles · KS

Windshield wiper motor failure.

Filed Aug 22, 2005 · Visibility · 12,646 miles · KS

2003 saturn l200 developed problems with the heater system.*mr the vehicle has been in the shop 6 times for climate control system that will not hold a warm setting. Hvac was reprogrammed 5 times, however the problem still exist. *tt saturn corporation refused to let the dealer work on the vehicle. The heat would only come on when the climate control was set at 90 degrees. The hepa filter was replaced. When the HVAC was set to heat and has been on for a while, it would blow cold air. The control assembly/A/C was replaced. The passenger compartment air filter was replaced. At times, when using the HVAC climate control, it would become too hot or too cold and would have to constantly be adjusted.

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Electrical, Visibility · 43,400 miles · MA · fire

Preceeding the two electrical fires in my vehicle, I had intermittent issues with shorts in the electrical system (the locks unlocking/locking at random; lights going on and off and the alarm system triggering even when not set). There was also leakage from somewhere in the car (either through the windshield or elsewhere in the front) that was quite noticeable during a heavy storm. Earlier this year, I was exiting a parking garage when I first saw and then smelled smoke coming from out of the dash. The electrical wires shorted out and caused a fire that melted a portion of the wiring in the front of the car. The dealership could not repair the car for several days and during a storm two days later, the entire system shorted out again (lights and other components would not turn off) and the battery completely discharged. The dealership determined that the leak was due to a faulty windshield placement and replaced the windshield (and water-tested it) along with the affected wiring systems, the battery and the carpeting. Now, just two days ago, I have had a recurrence of the same issue. Again, after a heavy storm, I woke to discover that the wiring in the same area of the car had shorted out. This time, the resulting fire melted the plastic housing surrounding the fusebox, and the housing is now a pile of melted goo on the carpet in the driver's side of the car. The dealership has yet to determine the cause of the short.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Visibility · 750 miles · NJ

Temperature control is limited there is no mid point between hot and cold. If temperature is set between 87-90 blows only hot air, if temperature is set from 60-86 blows out cold air.

Questions about the 2003 Saturn L200 visibility

Does the 2003 Saturn L200 have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Saturn L200, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Saturn L200 visibility problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 47,233 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Saturn L200 visibility?

Yes, 1 recall: 02V283000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2003 Saturn L200 problems

Electrical 50Engine 27Fuel system 18Lights 16Steering 11Airbags 8Transmission 8Brakes 7Suspension 7Body 5Acceleration 4Seat belts 4Locks 3Tires 3Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Saturn L200?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history