Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Saturn LS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Saturn LS has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 582 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #07V519000 ENGINE TIMING CHAIN NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V245000 REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V231000 GM/IGNITION CONTROL MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V329000 GM/PASSENGER AIR BAG MISSING CHECK VALVE PIN NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #01V026000 GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V344000 GM/TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V235000 GM/SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 300 complaints
- Electrical System 80 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 51 complaints
- Engine 41 complaints
- Power Train 30 complaints
- Steering 29 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2001 Saturn LS has notable issues, with 582 complaints and 7 recalls. Engine and cooling concerns dominate complaints, suggesting reliability issues. Recalls mostly target serious failures like timing chain and ignition module problems. Overall data indicates potential for significant repairs. Repair needs and costs could vary widely, suggesting a higher-than-average cost to own.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing chain | 60,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | common |
| Ignition control module | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and service
- Transmission fluid change
- Coolant system flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Timing belt inspection
- Battery check and replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires
- Illuminated check engine light
- Difficulty starting engine
- Unusual engine noises
- Erratic transmission behavior
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Saturn LS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.