2001 Saturn LS: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 582 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (50% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 582 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2001 Saturn LS1. The contact stated that the front driver's seat failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the power adjust switch was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electrical wiring for the switch was damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.”Owner report · Seats · May 2024
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn ls200. The contact stated that fuel leaked onto the rear passenger seat and carpet. The contact removed the fuel tank from the vehicle. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and agreed to have the vehicle towed to a local dealer. Once the vehicle was towed to cable dahmer chevrolet of independence located at (1834 s noland rd, independence, mo 64055), the contact was informed that due to the age of the vehicle, the vehicle could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 264,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2019
“I was driving my car and it stalled and would not restart. I had it diagnosed by a mechanic and it is the timing chain. From what I've researched, this year make and model vehicle had a recall but only on specific ones made within a four month period but my car falls into the recall description and I'm not sure about the time frame. My car was being driven on the highway at about 55 mph when this happened.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The saturn l series when filled with gasoline will stall causing imminent harm to the driver, passengers, and any other cars on the road. In addition, the dashboard at night is so dim that it cannot be seen by the driver. There are several electrical failures involving this vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
“I'm having the exact problem as recall 05v245000. Examining my car confirms this was not replaced. It has shorted out multiple times having me drive at night time with no lights! This is dangerous and has almost caused me an accident several times.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2017
“Car stopped while at a stop light just after exiting the freeway , and would not restart. After walking home, had car towed to a car repair shop. They determined that the timing cable had broken and had damaged other parts of the engine. We noticed that there is a recall in place for some saturns, but don't know if our car is included in the recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn l100 (na). The contact stated that the ignition was stuck in the accessory mode and would not shift to the locked position. The contact stated that the key could be removed from the ignition, but the accessory mode was still engaged. As a result, the doors on the vehicle could not be locked. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. ...updated 08/15/16 *bf the consumer stated she was able to remove the key from the ignition, while the vehicle was in motion. Updated 08/17/16.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn ls. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the air bag and the engine warning indicators illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the air bag was removed and not replaced with another. The contact was uncertain of the location of the air bag that was removed. The failure persisted after the repair. In addition, the engine oil leaked onto the ground. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,726. Updated 09/08/16*lj *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Vehicle stalled while driving and would not turn back over. Found out later it was timing chain failure. The vehicle was traveling at highway speed in sourt carolina.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn ls. When the vehicle was started, it immediately stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v519000 (engine) the manufacturer was notified of failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP MISSING OR IMPROPERLY SEATED. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE CABLE CAN SLIP OUT OF ITS BRACKET AND THE TRANSAXLE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SHIFT LEVER. THE DRIVER MAY PUT THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK, BUT THE TRANSAXLE MAY BE IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE RETAINER CLIP TO VERIFY PROPER INSTALLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLIP AND ADJUST THE CABLE TO SPECIFICATIONS.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL RESULT IN THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT FLASHING, AND MAY LEAD TO SECONDARY FAILURES OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND EXHAUST RESONATOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, (2) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS, OR (3) REPLACE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SPARK PLUGS, AND UPDATE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT 3.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO OWNERS ON JANUARY 29, 2001. FOLLOW UP OWNER MAILING BEGAN ON APRIL 17, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS A LOWER SIDE IMPACT SAFING SENSOR THRESHOLD THAN SPECIFIED. BECAUSE OF THIS REDUCED THRESHOLD, THERE COULD BE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG WITH SEVERE SLAMMING OF THE DOOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE ASSEMBLY.
How other years compare
Check your exact LS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Saturn LS reliable?
NHTSA has 582 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Saturn LS. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (50% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Saturn LS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,312 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Saturn LS have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.