2000 Saturn SW recalls and problems

7 recalls and 15 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Saturn SW.

7
recalls
15
owner complaints
2
complaints mentioning a crash
1
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2000 Saturn SW recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 00V309000 · reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 6,092 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA campaign 00V310000 · reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 65,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
The fix
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.

Structure: body

NHTSA campaign 99V297000 · reported October 27, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 7,505 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
The fix
Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

Seat belts: front, anchorage

NHTSA campaign 99V280000 · reported October 20, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 265,698 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
The fix
Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

NHTSA campaign 99V231000 · reported August 24, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 5,373 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

Unknown or other

NHTSA campaign 99V230000 · reported August 23, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 2,692 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
The fix
Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

Structure: body, bumpers

NHTSA campaign 99V232000 · reported August 23, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,592 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 14, 2016 · Electrical system · 65,000 miles

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.

Jun 1, 2015 · Unknown or other · 170,000 miles · crash reported

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…

Sep 2, 2014 · Electrical system · 200,000 miles · fire reported

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…

Mar 30, 2011 · Latches/locks/linkages · 230,000 miles

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…

Oct 23, 2008 · Fuel system, gasoline

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.

SW model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 71521
2001 2610

All Saturn SW years →

Questions

Does the 2000 Saturn SW have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2000 Saturn SW, the most recent reported on October 12, 2000 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SW?
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints), followed by electrical system (2).
How many 2000 Saturn SW complaints mention a crash or fire?
2 of 15 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 14, 2016.