Three problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 2000 Saturn SL1. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When I start my car or park it after driving the rpms shoot up extremely high & the engine races. When I shut the car off the engine makes a loud clunk due to shutting it off with the rpms that high. I have had it diagnosed several times & no one knows what is wrong. I had the air idle sensor replaced thinking it was the problem but it is not. This is very bad for the engine.
Timing chain on my 2000 Saturn l broke. I only have 83,000 miles on it. I have read a lot of complaints online about this problem occurring consistently with gm cars, especially Saturns.
A 2000 Sl1 Saturn passenger vehicle is the source of this complaint. Saturns are often recognized as being 200k mile cars - look for the wall at the service centers. - polaroids of 'happy' Saturn customers. After 94k miles, my Saturn had a piston fragment inside the engine. The vehicle motor is a total loss. I just paid it off 6 months ago. Saturn refused to supply any explanation or offer to stand behind their product.