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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Saturn LS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Saturn LS has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 582 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saturn dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Saturn LS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Saturn LS owner complaints

Owners have filed 582 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saturn LS, describing incidents dated October 1, 2000 to May 12, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 339 complaints
  • Electrical System 80 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 51 complaints
  • Power Train 30 complaints
  • Steering 29 complaints
  • Suspension 28 complaints

Of the 582 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 582 complaints, owners report 19 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11635950 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11454788 · Filed

    Recall bulletin #06074a ,timing chain engine stall. I called gm,and gm arbitration and they said I have no recallcs. This car only has 28,700 miles on it!! My Vin fits the criteria of the recall,and I went to the dealership and they confirmed it,but GM does not acknowledge it! page 4, dealer recall…

  • ODI #11418062 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2001 Saturn L200. The contact stated while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump needing to be…

Read all 582 complaints

Owner-reported

2001 Saturn LS mileage at failure

442 of the 582 complaints on file for the 2001 Saturn LS give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
EngineMedian 90,000 milesMiddle half 65,000–110,000 milesBased on 297 complaints
Electrical SystemMedian 70,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–90,000 milesBased on 52 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Saturn LS in 8 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

3 more NHTSA investigations
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN

NHTSA #07V519000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 7, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 20,514 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06074 · Owners notified January 15, 2008 · Vehicles built November 1, 2000 – February 28, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.

Safety consequence

IF A TIMING CHAIN LINK SEPARATES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06074.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #05V245000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported June 2, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 291,652 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05052 · Owners notified October 17, 2005 · Vehicles built June 1, 2000 – June 30, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05052.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/IGNITION CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA #03V231000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 239,993 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03033/03-C-06 · Owners notified July 1, 2003 · Vehicles built June 18, 2001 – July 17, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03033/SATURN RECALL NO. 03-C-06.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/PASSENGER AIR BAG MISSING CHECK VALVE PIN

NHTSA #02V329000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported December 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 272 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02061 · Owners notified December 16, 2002 · Vehicles built September 3, 2001 – September 28, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 02061. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE

NHTSA #01V026000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 1, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 38 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 01004 · Owners notified January 29, 2001 · Vehicles built January 1, 2000 – February 28, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANT. A MODULE WITH NO GENERANT WOULD NOT INFLATE THE AIR BAG, AND THE OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP

NHTSA #00V344000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Gear Position Indication (PRNDL) · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,637 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00089 · Owners notified October 27, 2000 · Vehicles built October 2, 2000 – October 9, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 27, 2000.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 SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #5. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG

NHTSA #00V235000 · Air Bags — Side/Window · NHTSA notice

Reported August 23, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 168 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00071 · Owners notified August 23, 2000 · Vehicles built July 1, 2000 – August 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Notes

NO VEHICLES HAVE BEEN SOLD TO CUSTOMERS.

Other Saturn LS model years

Check your 2001 Saturn LS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saturn LS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Saturn VIN