Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
138Complaints
4Recalls
7Crashes
7Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (25.4% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
35 · 25.4%
Recalled
Recall 03V231000
Exterior Lighting
11 · 8%
Recalled
Recall 05V245000
Engine And Engine Cooling
9 · 6.5%
not available
—
Engine
9 · 6.5%
not available
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
8 · 5.8%
not available
—
Electrical System:ignition:module
8 · 5.8%
Recalled
Recall 03V231000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 138 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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 CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP) OR TAIL LAMPS.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“CAR IGNITION DOES NOT WANT TO TURN TO "OFF" WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN PARK, REFUSES TO RELEASE KEY UNTIL WE PRY IT…”NHTSA complaint 10521799 — filed 06/25/2013 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SATURN L-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE…”NHTSA complaint 10409190 — filed 06/28/2011 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“WHEN DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS AND ALL GAUGES TURN OFF AND COME BACK ON BUT NOW THE GAUGES DON'T WORK THE HEAD LIGHTS STAY ON WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 10327339 — filed 04/25/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saturn L200?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 35 of 138 NHTSA complaints (25.4%), followed by exterior lighting (11), engine and engine cooling (9), engine (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Saturn L200 have?
138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Saturn L200 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 05V245000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Saturn L200's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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