Three problems related to windshield wiper/washer have been reported for the 2000 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Have owned the car, 2000 Ls1, since it had about 8k miles. Have had to buy 3 sets of tires so far due to irregular wear. Been to Saturn dealership and other garages several times about this before finally learning from Saturn this past summer that the lower control arms on this make and model are defective and that Saturn had put together a shim kit to fix the problem. This solution would cost over $500, especially when you count the four wheel alignment that would also be necessary. Also having brake light problems. Brake lights don't work when parking lights are turned on. Have replaced bulbs several times, particularly the driver side brake light. Mechanic cleaned and adjusted the socket's contact points, but 3 weeks later the driver side brake light was not working again. Wipers don't get windshield clean, even when brand new. Auto unlock stopped working.
The windshield wipers on my Saturn Ls1 do not work properly. I brought the problem to the attention of the dealer one week after purchase, and they swapped the driver's side wiper with one from another new Saturn Ls, but offered no other solution. The blades on both sides scape the windshield, like fingernails scrapping over a countertop. The problem is worse at higher speeds, and the wipers do not clear the windshield effectively. During snowfall, the blades are virtually useless. I believe this is a design flaw; or the windshield is warped. The lack of visibility during rain and snow is a safety problem for this vehicle.
The windshield wiper arm and blades were defective.