The Lemon IndexSaturn SL reliability.
Is it reliable? Yes. About half as many complaints as the average car.
Better than average · 2000–2002
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Saturn SL videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2001.
Only 3 Saturn SL years have enough complaints and sales to score, too few for best and worst lists. 2001 drew about half as many complaints as the average car.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/saturn-sl/" title="Saturn SL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/saturn-sl/">Lemon Index</a> (Saturn SL reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Saturn SL.
Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →
Quick answers.
Is the Saturn SL reliable?
Yes. It draws about half as many complaints as the average car. Fewest complaints: 2001.
Is the Saturn SL a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2000-2002: Lemon Index 52; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2001 drew the fewest complaints and 2002 the most.
What are the best Saturn SL years to buy?
Only 3 Saturn SL years have enough data to score, so we don't list best years. 2001 drew the fewest complaints (about half as many complaints as the average car).
What Saturn SL years should you stay away from?
Only 3 Saturn SL years have enough data to score, too few to single out years to avoid.
How many recalls does the Saturn SL have?
12 safety recalls across the 3 model years we track. Most: 2000 (8), 2001 (3), 2002 (1). Each year's page lists them, and every Saturn SL recall is in one list here.
What are the most common Saturn SL problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, electrical and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 49 | about half as many complaints as the average car | 96 | engine (21%) | 8 | — | 26–29 |
| 2001 | 48 | about half as many complaints as the average car | 82 | electrical (21%) | 3 | — | 26–29 |
| 2002 | 63 | about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car | 75 | transmission & drivetrain (19%) | 1 | — | 26–29 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: sec.gov. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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