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Saturn LSModel year report

2001 Saturn LS Problems

Complaints
582filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,000miles, 443 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Saturn LS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Saturn L-Series most often describe the engine's timing chain letting go, frequently with little or no warning, leaving the car stalled and needing a tow. Fuel odors and leaks around the tank and lines, along with lamp and switch faults that can leave lights dead or drain the battery, are the next most common themes in the sample. Reports arrive across a wide mileage spread, from roughly 30,000 miles to well past 150,000, so low mileage on a used example does not by itself rule out the engine problem.

  1. Engine

    Timing chain failure and sudden engine stalling

    • 326 complaints (56%)
    • median 88,500 mi at 7.8 yrs old (291 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,489 (median of 78 quotes)
    • filed 2001–2022

    Complaints describe the engine quitting without warning at highway or city speeds, sometimes after a rattle, ticking or banging noise, and often not restarting. Mechanics and dealers quoted in the complaints typically diagnosed a broken or jumped timing chain, in many cases with bent valves, damaged pistons or a damaged cylinder head, and repairs ranged from a chain and gear replacement to a used engine. Several owners say they were told their vehicle identification number was not covered by the timing chain recall even though the symptoms matched it. Reported from about 30,000 miles up to 170,000 miles, with many between 50,000 and 110,000 miles and several at 55 mph or faster when the engine stopped.

    Recall 07V519000

    What to check: Ask whether the timing chain, tensioner and related parts have been replaced and keep the receipts, and have a mechanic listen for chain noise at cold start and check the vehicle identification number against the timing chain recall. Because a failure can total the engine, budget for this before buying a high-mileage example.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Saturn 2001 l-200 2.2l I was driving down the road in rush hour morning traffic. As I slowed down for stopped traffic ahead of me, my engine shut off, and I lost power steering, and power brakes. I did not know what to do so I recklessly veered off onto a side street where I came to a complete stop. The car would not restart but would only turn over. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10272669, filed 2009-06, 150,000 miles

    “A strange noise sounded when I cranked the car to return home from the lake wales medical center (located about 15 miles from my home) after the car idled for a few minutes I was able to drive it home. When I drove it to the repair shop the noise got much louder. The repairman diagnosed the problem as noise from ting area due to tensioner pulley bearings; timing had jumped causing internal valve damage. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10508190, filed 2013-04, 92,250 miles
  2. Fuel system

    Fuel smell and leaks around tank, lines and pump

    • 23 complaints (4%)
    • median 91,949 mi at 9.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2021

    Complaints describe a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin or around a parked car, sometimes with visible fuel on the ground or fuel reaching the rear seat and carpet, and in some cases a check engine light. Owners report replacing the fuel cap and filter first, then the fuel pump assembly, lines or sending unit, and some were told the tank itself had to come out or be replaced. One owner reported that a dealer declined further repair because of the vehicle's age. Reported from roughly 55,000 to over 200,000 miles, often noticed while parked, at start-up or during a fill-up.

    What to check: Smell for fuel around the filler neck, under the rear seat and near the tank after the car has sat, and look for staining or damp areas on the tank and lines. Ask whether the fuel pump, lines or tank have been replaced, since the tank has to be lowered for most of this work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I started to notice the smell of gas coming from my car, but I could not identify where the leak was. I took it to my mechanic and he identified the fuel pump assembly, pressure line, return line, and sending unit all needed to be replaced. The mechanic said that the fuel pump was difficult to get to and the entire gas tank needed to be removed. Parts alone cost $793.53 while the labor was $382.00 for a total after tax and shop supplies of $1257.28. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10565018, filed 2014-02, 54,620 miles

    “The contact stated while driving various speeds, gas fumes were noticed and the gas gauge dropped at an accelerated rate. This has been an ongoing problem for a few months. Once while pulling out of the driveway a leak was observed under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined the fuel line clip needed to be replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10170403, filed 2006-10, 59,500 miles
  3. Exterior lighting

    Brake lamps and headlamps not working

    • 74 complaints (13%)
    • median 65,321 mi at 4.8 yrs old (46 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $522 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2001–2017

    Complaints describe brake lights that quit working or keep blowing fuses, and headlights that are dim or go out, sometimes with repeated bulb and fuse replacements that did not last. One owner reported having no brake lights other than the rear window lamp, and another described a brake light that kept failing after a new bulb. Complaints note that diagnosis was sometimes inconclusive at the dealer. Reported mostly between about 50,000 and 110,000 miles, with occasional reports at lower mileage.

    Recall 05V245000

    What to check: With a helper, check that all brake lamps and both headlamps work, including the high-mount lamp, and watch for fuses that have been replaced recently or a tail lamp housing that looks warped. Ask whether the brake lamp recall work was completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am the second owner of this vehicle. There have been numerous recall issues associated with this vehicle, most of these issues are safety related. This auto is my sole means of transport. I have a 2 month old grandson who lives with me, and I have no clue if any of these recall issues have been rectified, aside from the brake lamps adapter which has not been fixed. I have no brake lights except for the roofline anti-collision lamps. Repeated attempts to get a hard copy of recall items as being fixed, have been met with no response. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10579159, filed 2014-04, 106,000 miles

    “Tie rod end- drivers side. Lso have problem with left brake light- replaced bulb and keeps going out ignition switch locked up now engine and coil pack blown-- engine oil pressure light never came on to alert of impending problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10116432, filed 2005-04, 70,068 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Turn signal switch overheating and battery drain

    • 61 complaints (10%)
    • median 72,000 mi at 6.3 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $350 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2001–2017

    Complaints describe a multi-function turn signal and headlamp switch that became very hot, gave off a burning smell and in one case smoked and started a small fire in the steering column. Others report daytime running lamps or headlights that stayed on after the key was removed, draining the battery overnight, and one owner described the ignition staying in accessory with the key out so the doors could not be locked. Dealers quoted in the complaints replaced the switch, ignition module or wiring, sometimes without a clear diagnosis. Reported between roughly 50,000 and 95,000 miles.

    What to check: Turn the lights on and off and feel the turn signal stalk for heat, then switch everything off, remove the key and confirm the lamps and radio go dark. Ask whether the turn signal switch or ignition switch has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have a 2001 Saturn l300 I bought the car 5 months ago 2 weeks after the purchase the check engine light comes on. I took the car to the dealership mechanic which is not affiliated with Saturn and was told it was nothing (I think partially in part because I am a female) by the way I was given a 2 week warranty lol! About a month or two ago I noticed that I would go to start my car and it would be dead. Later I realized my lights were staying on after I turned them off. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10343898, filed 2010-07, 92,000 miles

    “A short circuit of some sort in the the headlight/turn signal switch caused a small electrical fire. While driving, the dashboard indicators showed that the daytime running lights and high beams were turning on and off on their own. When the car was turned off, the daytime running lights remained on. After a few moments, I began to smell the odor of something burning and smoke began to come out of the steering column. The smoke subsided only after I pulled the fuses on the two headlamps. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10072384, filed 2004-05, 52,000 miles

Buying note. The timing chain is the main thing to look into on this model year, so ask for service records and have a mechanic check the car and the recall status before buying. Fuel odors, lamp faults and front-end noises are also worth checking on a test drive, and on a car this age, condition and maintenance records matter more than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 582 consumer complaints for the 2001 Saturn LS. 443 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 14 involved a crash, 14 a fire, 19 an injury, 3 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 70 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (13), Vehicle speed control (12), Equipment (11), Tires (11), Seats (5), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (5), Interior lighting (4), Seat belts (2), Body and structure (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “The timing chain on my 2001 l series sedan broke on 3/2/2011 and the vehicle could not be restarted. A recall had been issued for this repair (recall campaign 07v519000); however my VIN was approximately 30,000 vehicles outside of the recall range. I believe that this vehicle should be covered by the recall due to the close proximity to the recall range.”

NHTSA complaint #10386433, filed 2011-03, 88,000 miles

Electrical system: “The horn has stopped to sound, the fuse was replaced and the horn was pressed and the fuse blew again. There is no horn on the vehicle now causing it to be very dangerous to drive as deer have run our in front of me while driving and have almost been hit by a car that could have resulted in a number of accidents which could be prevented or noticed with a horn.”

NHTSA complaint #10248036, filed 2008-11, 141,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10970631, filed 2017-04, 190,000 miles

Engine: “We drove the car to eat. When we came back out the car would not start. We had it towed to the mechanic and he told us the timing chain jumped a couple of teeth. It also bent some or all the values. The same makes and models have had recalls for this issue. Our car was not under recall for some reason. What if I was driving 70 MPH and this happened we could of been in a huge wreck.”

NHTSA complaint #10704804, filed 2015-04, 138,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 443 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 57,000 and 106,744 miles.

2%0–103%10–2512%25–5026%50–7525%75–10025%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (443 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’01’04’0770’10’13’16’20’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2001 Saturn LS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 70 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 70 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saturn LS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200249375,6283——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200158280,0007——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200038277,0006—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Saturn LS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saturn LS?

Owners of the 2001 Saturn L-Series most often describe the engine's timing chain letting go, frequently with little or no warning, leaving the car stalled and needing a tow. The issues reported most often: Timing chain failure and sudden engine stalling; Fuel smell and leaks around tank, lines and pump; Brake lamps and headlamps not working.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Saturn LS have?

NHTSA recorded 582 consumer complaints for the 2001 Saturn LS as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Saturn LS is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 300 complaints (52% of the total), followed by electrical system with 80.

Has the 2001 Saturn LS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Saturn LS reported?

Among the 443 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 57,000 and 106,744 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.