Reliability & cost of ownership
Saturn LS Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Saturn LS? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Saturn LS problems by model year
16 recall entries across 3 model years and 1,458 owner complaints across 4 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 LS | Not confirmed | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2002 LS | 3 | 493 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2001 LS | 7 | 582 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 LS | 6 | 382 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Saturn LS, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling638 complaints
- electrical system242 complaints
- exterior lighting180 complaints
- engine94 complaints
- power train78 complaints
- steering75 complaints
- suspension71 complaints
- fuel system, gasoline58 complaints