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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Saturn LS Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
300about this part
Share
52%of 582 total for the year
Median mileage
84,972miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 300 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Saturn LS, 52% of the 582 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,972 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“There were no problems with the car until it died and would not restart. We had it looked at and the mechanic determined it was the timing chain. I saw the recall for the timing chain online and called Saturn. They said the recall did not affect my car and the timing chain breaking was a coincidence.”

NHTSA complaint #10412119, filed 2011-07, 124,000 miles

“I was driving to work and suddenly the engine started running rough, then stalled. I coasted off to the side of the road to get out of traffic. It would not re-start, so I had my car towed home where I started troubleshooting. After investigating, I found it was the timing chain. The chain had enough slack in it to jump about 6 teeth. This caused a total loss of compression in all cylinders.”

NHTSA complaint #10307211, filed 2010-02, 117,560 miles

“Left my driveway and started down street. Got a block or so away and car just stopped. Was on main highway. Was very lucky took to garage it is the timing chain. If there was a recall on this I never received it took to GM dealer was told there was never a recall for this”

NHTSA complaint #10475223, filed 2012-09, 102,294 miles

“I have a 2001 Saturn l2000,with 95,000 miles. I brought the car in 2007 with 86,000 mile. On august 30, I tried to start my car, and it would not turn over. I had it checked and my timing chain was broken. My repairs are suppose to be around $1000 or more. I haven't decided whether it's worth repairing.”

NHTSA complaint #10353494, filed 2010-09, 95,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200220041%
200130052%
200014037%

Other parts of the 2001 Saturn LS

Electrical system
80 complaintsExterior lighting
51 complaintsEngine
41 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsSteering
29 complaintsSuspension
29 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEquipment
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Saturn LS

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology