Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2001 Saturn SL
NHTSA data on file today
The 2001 Saturn SL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 111 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V310000 GM/FMVSS 114/PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #00V309000 GM/FMVSS 301/VENT VALVE WELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 29 complaints
- Power Train 20 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 18 complaints
- Air Bags 13 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 12 complaints
- Seats 6 complaints
Of the 111 complaints on file, 14 report a crash; across all 111 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (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 SL exhibits reliability concerns, notably in the electrical system and powertrain, with a significant number of owner complaints and recalls related to critical systems like the fuel and transmission. Despite these issues, moderate repair costs make it somewhat manageable.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| powertrain | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| engine cooling | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$900 | occasional |
| brakes | 60,000–85,000 miles | $150–$450 | occasional |
| fuel system | 90,000–120,000 miles | $300–$800 | rare |
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 change every 5,000 miles
- Brake pads check every 20,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change at 40,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 50,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 10,000 miles
- Air filter replacement every 15,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Transmission slipping
- Electrical issues
- Fuel odor or leaks
- Brake pedal softness
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2001 Saturn SL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.