2000 Saturn LS ls2 from North America - Comments

I own a ls2 2000 with v6 and I can't get a radiator that is like my old one which has two ins and two outs for coolant. Could somebody help me because I am very discouraged.

All the radiators that they try to sell me only have one in and one out for coolant.

I have a ls2 2000 with v6 and I can't find a radiator like my old one anywhere, for some reason it has two outs and two ins for coolant, can somebody help me with this.

Wow what a site. We have owned our 2000 LS2 since 1999. Currently up to 123,000. miles and runs great. In June 2007 we replaced the Timing Chain before relocating 1200 miles. October 2007 dealer noted a cooler and water pump leak. Having paid $1400. in June, I declined the $1900. October fix. $2.99 Radiator seal solved the problem!!! Now the Service Engine Light. Yes the transmission slams and diagnosis?? Mass Air Flow Sensor. $410.00 I cannot decide. Does the problem get worse? Will the car fail emission testing? Thanks.

I wrench on the side and I am currently working on a 2000 LS2. The car has only 49k miles on it and have already done the MAF sensor. It has had the taillight problem fixed as well. I now have 2 other issues... the wipers do not work but the wiper motor works out of the car but blows the fuse when plugged into the harness... also steering feels like a tie rod end is going or something. Is this common to the rack and pinion issue?

Most recent problems with my 2000 LS2 88,000 on it is the turn signals quit canceling after turns so you have to manually turn them off.

Also smelled burning plastic and found my electric seat switch melted, THEN flipped the fuse. My Saturn mechanic said there was a service bulletin out about this because there are exposed sharp edges under the seat that in time will cut through the wires and short them out. Anyone else have these problems come up?

Same car as above, different problem. Car died on freeway wouldn't restart. Waited 20 minutes then it started and the service light came on. Died again in driveway, had it towed to my mechanic. Turns out it was the Crankshaft Position Sensor that was failing. Had it replaced, $308.00 later back on the road for now.

I'm getting to know my Saturn mechanic way too well these days, we're now on a first name basis.

I have had all the above problems with my 2000 Saturn LS. I bought the car 2 years ago with 110k on it because my buddy had Saturn with 170k.

After 1 month the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. $300.

Power seat stopped working. Mechanic told me it was a short somewhere and would involve checking wires until he found the problem. I can live without that.

Tail lamps kept going out.

At 117k the timing belt snapped and the engine seized up. The manual says to replace the belt at 100k, so you'd better do it or the warranty will not replace the engine.

Water pump failed recently.

Air Conditioning stopped working.

Front springs cracked at 115k.

Premature brake wear has been a problem.

Check engine light came on after buying it. Had dealer clear the code but it continues to come back on.

Had to replace the front flex pipe (the car has 2 flex pipes.) to the tune of $700.

Speedometer stopped working at 133K.

Now transmission is slamming it into gear. Will try the MAF sensor.

Thanks to those who wrote about it. This car has been nothing but problems. If you are on the fence about buying one, hopefully all these testimonials to Saturn's shoddy build quality will deter you. I would love to trade mine in or drive it off a cliff, but I still owe 3 grand.

Also keep in mind, this model shares the same platform with the Saab 9-3 and GM's Opel, so parts are very expensive. All in all, I would never buy a Saturn again.

2000 Saturn LS 99235 miles, I bought this car used 2 years ago 2006 with about 81k miles on it. Check engine light came on a week later had the codes checked it was the oxygen sensor. But the car still drove fine. Then the service light came on with the wrench the trans with was shifting hard. I purchased an xtend warranty the car was bought from a used car lot not a Saturn dealer. The warranty did not cover repairs because the parts were electronics. The trans needed a solenoid pressure control total $713, Mass air flow sensor $195. Oil leak caused by an engine oil/air separator $402. Total bill 1332. That was 2007 that car ran like a champ after the repairs. This year 2008 the water pump went out, and they recommend changing the drive belt because it was soaked in coolant. Total $654 next the front brakes and rotors $200, the pads were not wore out they just deteriorated. The reason I came to this site today because when I park on an incline the car won't start, but after sitting it starts. Check engine light came on but did not come back on the next day. This has happened 3 time this week. I hope it is not the fuel pump. The car is fast but it should not have these kinds of problems in less than 100k. I should have kept my GMC 1999 Jimmy.

Just to add to my above comments, I took the car to the Saturn dealership. Less than 2 hours later they fixed the problem it was the crankshaft position sensor. Part $65, labor $74, total after tax $143.

I am glad I found this site. The problems with the 2000 LS2 are consistent. I hope Saturn realizes that you don't get repeat business selling cars that need major repairs before they get 100k miles on them.

Just some info for the thread. I've had my 2000 LS2 V-6 since it was new. Even though I've experienced a lot of the same issues as everyone else, it is still incredibly fun to drive. However, if your 2000 LS2 has left a bad impression with you, please keep in mind that this model was rushed to market using mainly European parts. The V-6 engines were actually built in the UK, as were many of the suspension parts. This car was pieced together in a short time to get a mid-sized Saturn on the market. Later models (especially the Aura) don't have these issues.

I traded in my Honda for a 2000 Saturn LS2 and six months later the engine started knocking and I had to replace the engine ($4,000). Then 1 month later another piece that has teeth (that's how it was explained to me anyway) broke off and I had to get that whole new piece replaced which meant taking out the engine again. ($400.00 and 2 more weeks) Now the check engine light is on, my coolant light is on, my change oil light is on! I was denied an oil change from a local shop because I have a valve cover leak and oil with detergents will only make the leak worse! Oh and my car has started shaking violently now when I am at a complete stop! It's never ending... I want my Honda back.

I bought a new 2000 LS when they first came out.

First off I’d like to say I loved this car when it worked. It handled great and had a lot of power. I was never much for flashy interiors so the even that was OK for me.

Now for the bad stuff; I had so many electrical problems that the car was in the shop three of four times before it reached 6000 miles, and after that the problems continued off and on.

At one point they called me and told me the car was fixed and I should come and pick it up. When I got there and stated the car it would barely idle. When I put it in drive it stalled (note this was an automatic). I walked back into the dealer and complained. So they went out and test drove it. When the guy got back from his test drive he stalled the care before he was able to park it. They did take the car back and eventually fix for a few more thousand miles, but again it had similar problems later.

The last straw was when the key got stuck in the ignition. They did fix the problem but I simply didn’t have the time to deal with all the problems. I bought a new Subaru (which has been pretty good) the same day and soon after I donated the Saturn to charity.

I wish I could buy and American car, but after having all these problems and seeing all the issues my friends have had, I will only buy another one when their world or mouth changes. I don’t really trust the statistics.