The Saturn L300 spans 1995–2026 with 2 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Saturn L300 a good car?
Short answer: yes — this one scores near the top of what we track. Our score for the Saturn L300 is 4.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
If you're choosing a year, 1995, 1996, 1997 score best in our data, and 2026, 2025 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Saturn L300 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Saturn L300 VIN — every digit explained
Every Saturn L300 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Saturn and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this L300.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number on a L300, use our free tool.
How many recalls does the Saturn L300 have?
The Saturn L300 has 2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2004 Saturn L300 recalls 2
Exterior Lighting:brake Lights
What's wrong. ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.
Risk. 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. A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL TWO NEW TAIL LAMP REINFORCING SOCKET ADAPTERS AND SOCKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Seat Belts
What's wrong. CERTAIN WAGONS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." THE SEAT BELT ANCHOR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE HOLDING THE REQUIRED TEST LOAD FOR THE REQUIRED TIME.
Risk. IF A SEPARATION OCCURRED IN CRASH, THE RIGHT AND CENTER REAR SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REAR SEAT CENTER BELT ANCHOR REINFORCEMENT PLATE TO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
Best and worst years for the Saturn L300
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Saturn L300 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Saturn L300 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Saturn L300 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Saturn L300 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Saturn L300. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Saturn L300 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Saturn L300 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the L300 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 97 cu ft of passenger volume and 18 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Saturn L300 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Saturn L300 get?
The Saturn L300 returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,400/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2005 Saturn L300 (3L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 L300 | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2004 L300 | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2003 L300 | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2002 L300 | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2001 L300 | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 2004 Saturn L300 (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 355 g/mi CO₂ — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 L300 | 21 | 31 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the L300 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this L300's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Saturn L300 have? Power & range
The Saturn L300 is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Saturn L300 cost to own?
A Saturn L300 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used L300 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this L300 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the L300 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Saturn L300 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the L300 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Tired of ads? Go Pro.
- Zero ads — clean, fast pages
- Exact mileage-adjusted car values
- Full research reports + PDF
- Market charts & price-drop alerts
- …and much more
How many miles does a Saturn L300 last?
A well-maintained Saturn L300 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Saturn L300’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this L300’s VIN free →All Saturn L300 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Saturn L300 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2024 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2023 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2022 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2021 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2020 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2019 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2018 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2017 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2015 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2014 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2013 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2012 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2011 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2009 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2008 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2007 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2006 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2005 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 L300 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2003 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2002 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2001 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 1999 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 1998 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 1997 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 1996 L300 | 0 | — | |
| 1995 L300 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the L300?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Saturn L300.
How many recalls does the L300 have?
2 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Saturn recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the L300 get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a L300 last?
A well-maintained L300 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the L300 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the L300 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Saturn L300 warranty?
New Saturn models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Saturn dealer.
Where is the Saturn L300 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your L300's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Saturn may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the L300 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.