2001 SATURN LS

708 complaints filed with NHTSA.

708
Complaints
18
Crashes
21
Fires
19
Injuries
9
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING150
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE91
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS45
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM42
ENGINE41
SUSPENSION14
POWER TRAIN14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS13
STEERING13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS13
AIR BAGS13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING12
TIRES11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER11

Recalls (7)

00V34400030/10/2000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP MISSING OR IMPROPERLY SEATED. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE CABLE CAN SLIP OUT OF ITS BRACKET AND THE TRANSAXLE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SHIFT L

00V23500023/08/2000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS A LOWER SIDE IMPACT SAFING SENSOR THRESHOLD THAN SPECIFIED. BECAUSE OF THIS REDUCED THRESHOLD, THERE COULD BE AN INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE HEAD CURTAIN AIR BAG WITH SEVERE SLAMMING

03V23100023/06/2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.2L L4 (L61) ENGINES, A FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE MAY CAUSE DETERIORATION IN IDLE QUALITY, REDUCTION IN OVERALL ENGINE POWER, AND THE VEHICLE MAY BE HARD TO START. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SUCH AN IGNITION MODULE FAILURE WILL

02V32900009/12/2002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.

07V51900007/11/2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.2L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, LINKS IN THE ENGINE'S TIMING CHAIN CAN SEPARATE.

05V24500002/06/2005

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND WAGONS, THE PLASTIC HOUSING IN THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME DISTORTED IF THE BRAKE LAMPS REMAIN ON FOR AN EXTENDED TIME.

01V02600001/02/2001

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.

Recent Complaints

20210521FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn L200. The contact stated while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump needing to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired however, the contact removed the fuel tank. The contact was relating the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact wa

Mileage: 226,000

20140625CrashFireFatalAIR BAGS

MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 1

Mileage: 30,000

20140625CrashFireFatalSERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 1

Mileage: 30,000

20140625CrashFireFatalSTEERING

MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 1

Mileage: 30,000

20140625CrashFireFatalELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 1

Mileage: 30,000

20140616FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE; HOWEVER, THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH

Mileage: 150,000

20140512FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE SWITCH THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE

Mileage: 221,744

20140327CrashAIR BAGS

MY BROTHER SUFFERED A CLOSED HEAD INJURY DUE TO AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A SATURN WHERE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. HE WAS AIR LIFTED FROM OUR AREA TO A HEAD TRAUMA CENTER IN MINNESOTA. HE HAS SUFFERED RESIDUAL EFFECTS FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND WILL SO FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS LIFETIME. WE WOULD LIKE HIM TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE CLASS ACTION SUIT THAT ARE BEING FILED AGAINST GM FOR THEIR FAILURE TO NOTIFY AUTO OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT CAUSED BY THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, THAT THEY HAD RECA

20140315FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A FIRE IN THE RESONATOR AND 4 OR 5 TIMES WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDDLE MAKING ME GO 65 IN 30 WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AT STOP LIGHTS THE WHEELS KEEP SPINNING W

20140315FireVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A FIRE IN THE RESONATOR AND 4 OR 5 TIMES WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDDLE MAKING ME GO 65 IN 30 WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AT STOP LIGHTS THE WHEELS KEEP SPINNING W

20140315FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, A FIRE IN THE RESONATOR AND 4 OR 5 TIMES WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS RUNNING AND I'M NOT ABLE TO GET IT TO START AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE PEDDLE MAKING ME GO 65 IN 30 WITH NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TIMES WHERE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS STUCK AND I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES. AT STOP LIGHTS THE WHEELS KEEP SPINNING W

20120829FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

Mileage: 109,000

20120829FireEQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. ..UPDATED 09-26-12 *BF UPDATED 10/01/2012 *JS

Mileage: 109,000

20101220CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE KEY REMOVED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS DESTROYED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AS WELL. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED TH

Mileage: 111,000

20090601CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I OWN AN 2001 SATURN L-33, WITH 38,280 MILES. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE SERVICE LIGHT (NOT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT HARSHLY. ON 04-30- 2009, I HAD STARTED THE CAR, WHICH HAD NO BEEN USED THAT DAY, I WAS SITTING SOMEWHAT SIDEWAYS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT TALKING TO MY FATHER, WHEN THE AUTO WHEN THE AUTO WENT INTO REVERSE BY ITSELF, AND DRAGGED ME ACROSS THE STREET, HITTING A BLOCK WALL. I GOT UP AND INTO THE AUTO, AND NOTICED THE SHIFT LEVER WAS

Mileage: 38,105

20080421FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE BLINKER / LIGHT HANDLE ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE BRIGHT LIGHTS. WHEN I TURN THE BLINKER ON EITHER TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT, THE BRIGHT LIGHTS COME ON, AND CAUSES THE BLINKER ELECTRICAL WIRING TO ARC AND CAUSE A SMALL FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA, WHICH EMITS SMOKE INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, ALSO AN ODOR OF BURNING WIRES. AT ONE POINT THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE IN THAT AREA, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PULL OVER AND BLOW OUT MANUALLY (DO NOT HAVE A P

Mileage: 114,000

20071231CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN L200. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EASILY REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK TWO VEHICLES AND CAUSED $2,320 IN DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO A SAFETY DEFECT. THE SATURN DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO AN OLD STEERING COLUMN AND THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE KEY HAS BEEN USED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,900 AND CURREN

Mileage: 66,900

20071217ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE. DUE TO TIMING CHAIN NOW DEALER SAID THAT IT WILL COST ME FOR THERE PROBLEM, BUT NOT MY FAMILY'S LIFE. MY WIFE IS WITH CHILD. *TR

Mileage: 66,500

20070315CrashAIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON WON'T GO OFF WAS IN WRECK AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ONLY LIT UP ON DASH *JB

Mileage: 64,000

20070209CrashAIR BAGS

MY SATURN LW300 HAD MANY PROBLEMS WHILE I OWNED IT. ON TUESDAY I HAD A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF MY CAR. THE IMPACT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE CAR BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOLD ME THE LIGHT WENT ON BUT THEY MALFUNCTIONED. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED NOR WAS MY THREE YEAR OLD SON. *NM