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Engine coolingPart report

2001 Saturn SL Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
16%of 111 total for the year
Median mileage
63,400miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2001 Saturn SL, 16% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,400 miles.

Example complaints

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

“I was pulling out of a parking lot onto the main highway when the car made a pffff sound and I lost all power to the car the motor just stopped. I had no power steering and no power brakes. The dealer stated the timing chain just snapped and then 12 out of the 16 valves in the car bent. I found this incredible on a vehicle with such low mileage.”

NHTSA complaint #10197989, filed 2007-07, 57,777 miles

“I purchased a 2001 Saturn SL from a small car dealership at the end of june 2006. The car was purchased with a 30 day warranty. In the middle of august, many components of the electrical system began to fail - alternator, battery, starter. All were replaced. In addition, the engine failed. Just today (12/27/06) the car started to act up again. Worst car I've ever owned.”

NHTSA complaint #10177132, filed 2006-12, 64,000 miles

“We had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced on our 2001 Saturn sl2 with only 41,500 miles. The car received regular maintenance and was just out of warranty. I understand this may be a common problem with GM vehicles and believe that Saturn should be responsible for the cost of the repair.”

NHTSA complaint #10058564, filed 2004-02, 41,000 miles

“The engine in my car, a 2001 Saturn SL, seized. The car was well maintained, and had only about 43000 miles. The oil had been changed one week prior to this incident, and the engine showed no signs of leakage. I was fortunate that we were moving slowly, as somebody may have been injured at highway speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #10039604, filed 2003-09, 43,000 miles

“We noticed that sometimes the car was engine was racing when coming to a stop and you have to hold extra pressure on the bake pedal to keep the car from moving forward. The idle speed increases from a normal 750 RPM to approximately 1750 RPM while in neutral, intermediately, sometimes right after starting the car, sometimes after driving for a while. The car engine when it does this will exceed 1100 RPM while in drive with your foot on the brake. …”

NHTSA complaint #10144634, filed 2005-12, 10,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20021612%
20011816%
20003423%
19994525%
19982817%
19973817%
19966322%
19956719%
19943813%
19933017%
19922420%
199127%

Other parts of the 2001 Saturn SL

Electrical system
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsAir bags
13 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Saturn SL

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