Check a VIN

2000 Saturn SW problems

The most common problem on the 2000 Saturn SW is engine and cooling. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical SW model year.

Typical year2.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
43
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
26-27mpg

The worst 2000 Saturn SW problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    5
  • Electrical
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Airbags
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    5
  • Electrical
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 7

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported October 12, 2000 · 6,092 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
Risk
Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Recall number 00V309000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switchReported October 12, 2000 · 65,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.
Risk
This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
Remedy
Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.

Recall number 00V310000 · Recall details

Structure: bodyReported October 27, 1999 · 7,505 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

Recall number 99V297000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported October 20, 1999 · 265,698 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.
Risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

Recall number 99V280000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported August 24, 1999 · 5,373 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.
Risk
If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

Recall number 99V231000 · Recall details

Unknown or otherReported August 23, 1999 · 2,692 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn quality standards.
Risk
A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy
Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

Recall number 99V230000 · Recall details

Structure: body: bumpersReported August 23, 1999 · 1,592 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "bumper standard." these vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.
Risk
If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.
Remedy
Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

Recall number 99V232000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SW

Technical service bulletins for the 2000 Saturn SW 43

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 43 bulletins for the 2000 Saturn SW

2000 Saturn SW fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.9L 4‑cylFWD22-2332-3426-27

What 2000 Saturn SW owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 65,000 miles · IN

Airbag should have been recalled and was in system but not replaced. Ignition problems with fuel not able to reach. Ignition switch wire burned and was recalled prior but not given to my make model. Muffler not able to control exhaust system.

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · 170,000 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

On may 29th, 2015 at approx. 5:30 pm est the driver's 2000 saturn sw2 had uncontrollable sudden full throttle acceleration when put into drive from reverse without a foot on the accelerator & could not be stopped by brakes while attempting to leave a private business parking lot onto a public roadway. Driver travelled approx.100 ft. With full on brakes applied & avoided potentially striking oncoming road traffic by driving parallel to the roadway & driving head on into a roadway bridge guardrail terminal end to stop the forward progress of the vehicle. There was severe frontal damage to the front of the vehicle. Airbags deployed. Driver was extracted from the vehicle by the local emergency rescue squad & transported to the emergency room of the local hospital. The driver was treated for multiple fractures to the left foot & right ankle. Other physical injuries are presenting themselves a few days after the accident.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2000 saturn sw. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that it was due to an electrical failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Locks · 230,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn sw2. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH and attempting a turn when the rear driver side door released independently and swung open. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was told that the failure was common amongst the year, make and model. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and current mileage was 230,000. Updated 04/25/11

Filed Oct 23, 2008 · Fuel system · NC

Letter on behalf of constituent (nc) the defective fuel tank vent valve on her 2000 saturn sw1, dealer claims there was no recall. The consumer stated the vehicle would not take gas. She went to an auto repair shop and they printed out a recall and advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer.

Filed Dec 27, 2004 · Engine · WI

Two major gasket problems with a saturn 2000 sw2 wagon. Total repair cost $1,500.

Filed Oct 15, 2003 · Engine · FL

While driving at a low speed and without any warning vehicle would stall, causing the driver to pull off the road.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Suspension · 75,833 miles · MI

The rear stabilizer links froze up, due to road dirt, salt etc. *ak

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Seats · WV

The bolts broke, which caused the driver seat back to collapse.

Filed Nov 25, 2002 · Engine · 54,000 miles · NC

While driving at highway speed the engine shut down causing lost of power steering. Consumer was able to coast to the side of the road. Dealer notified said crank shaft position sensor is defective. Ts

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2000 Saturn SW before you buy

Compare the 2000 Saturn SW

Other model years

1992199319941995199619971998199920002001

Questions about the 2000 Saturn SW

Is the 2000 Saturn SW reliable?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2000 Saturn SW, 2.5 times a typical SW model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Saturn SW?

Engine and cooling, with 5 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2000 Saturn SW have?

7 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, power train and structure.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Saturn SW get?

Official estimates for the 2000 Saturn SW range from 26 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-23 city and 32-34 highway.

Share your experience with the 2000 Saturn SW

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2000 Saturn SW?

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

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN