KnownCarProblems2001 Saturn LS Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 582 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saturn LS, most often about the engine (58% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles). It is the most complained-about LS model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2001 Saturn LS problems
Engine
339 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH and turning a corner the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the timing chain fractured and caused damage to two cylinder heads. The dealer replaced the timing chain and cylinder heads. The battery was replaced. Updated 09/13/06.
Following routine maintenance by the dealer our Saturn l300 experienced stuttering and hesitation. I immediately brought the car back to the dealership and expressed my concern for the timing belt. Under the dealership's care the timing belt failed and the engine siezed, causing $3,000 worth of damage and subsequent…
Electrical
80 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
Saturn lw300 crankshaft position sensor failure (3/05) - replaced body control module failure (11/05) - replaced mass air flow sensor failure (11/05) - replaced oil cooler leak (11/05) - resealed battery failure (just over 1 year old, 11/05) - replaced under warranty.
Break lights in the 2001 Saturn l200 burn out fuses. There is a short that after correcting and buying new fused and new lamps keeps going out again and blowing fuses.
Lights
52 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: tail lights, brake lights, headlights, turn signal.
For the past several months I have noticed an electrical (burning) odor while operating my vehicle. The multi-function turn signal switch is very hot all the time and when I remove the key from the ignition, it too is very hot, to the point of it burning my leg through my pants pocket. I took the vehicle to the Saturn…
Rear tail lights on my 2001 Saturn l100 have had problems. Gm recalled other products for similar problems. The bulb holders have been replaced 2 months ago and now the dealer has stated that the assemblies are in need of replacement. These assemblies are failing sooner than what is to be expected. I have been trying…
Transmission
30 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, driveline, manual transmission.
Replaced water pump, timing chain and pulleys at approximately 90k miles. App. 10k miles later, timing chain broke and had to be replaced again. Multiple issues with suspension, fuel sensors, oil filter casing.
Increasing noise from drivers side rear wheel area. Upon removal of wheel/tire the hub bearing unit was not rotating freely. Bearing failure of sealed hub assembly. Hub replaced.
Suspension
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
The Saturn l-200 has a rear suspension problem. I know there is a service bulletin out there somewhere, but Saturn is neglecting to acknowledge this problem no matter if the car is in or out of warranty. It makes the car unsafe to drive, and could very easily cause loss of control.
Rear tires failed well within their expected mileage and had to be replaced, along with a rear-end alignment. This should be a recall issue for all 2001 Saturn l300 owners. Make: Saturn model: l-series year: 2001 service bulletin number: 00t72a NHTSA item number: 633545 summary description: subject regarding service…
Steering
29 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, hydraulic power assist, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist system.
While driving at 45/50 MPH three functions failed to operate simultaneously; accelerator/brakes and steering wheel. Also while driving at night headlights quit working without warning.
Grinding noise when turning left or right. 'sounds' like it comes from tire area. Independent mechanic states that strut is leaking & car requires new rack & pinion steering at 41k miles. Problem is continuous.
Fuel system
24 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
2001 Saturn l300 won't start, after several repairs including replacing the fuel pump, it still won't start. After being diagnosed, can't still find the problem.
Timing chain on 2001 Saturn l200 with 78,000 miles broke while driving along highway, lost all power. Saturn refused to acknowledge problem. Thiswas a well documented problem with most vehicles with a 2.2 l engine manufactured between 200-2003. They never issued a recall on the defective oil nozzle, and were telling…
Brakes
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, disc, power assist.
While driving at 45/50 MPH three functions failed to operate simultaneously; accelerator/brakes and steering wheel. Also while driving at night headlights quit working without warning.
While driving 35 mphand upon trying to stop the vehicle, the vehicle accelerated, and the brakes failed. Consumer stated that she had both feet on the brake pedal, trying to stop the vehicle. She then pulled the emergency brake. Contacted the dealer, and was told the brake would always over power the engine. Please…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Saturn LS recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If a timing chain link separates while the engine is running, the engine will stall and will not restart increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the timing chain free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2008. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2l 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
Lights: brake lights
Risk: This can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp) or tail lamps. A following driver may not know when the brakes have been applied, and a rear-end crash could occur without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2005. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: module
Risk: Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will (1) replace the ignition control module, (2) replace the ignition control module and spark plugs, or (3) replace the ignition control module, spark plugs, and update the powertrain control module calibration. Owner notification began on august 4, 2003. Owners should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt 3.
Full defect summary
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 result in the "service engine soon" light flashing, and may lead to secondary failures of the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and exhaust resonator.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began december 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on january 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on april 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk: Unexpected movement of the vehicle could cause a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the transaxle shift cable retainer clip to verify proper installation and, if necessary, replace the clip and adjust the cable to specifications.
Full defect summary
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 lever. The driver may put the shift lever in park, but the transaxle may be in reverse or neutral.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: This could cause injury to an occupant.
Fix: Dealers will replace the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module assembly.
Full defect summary
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 of the door.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Timing chain breaks, engine stall
Summary
On may 22, 2008, theoffice of defects investigation (odi) was petitioned by the north carolina consumers council (nccc) to broaden the scope of safety recall 07v-519, which was conducted by general motors corporation (gm) for model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with the l61 2.2l engine and built during a 4-month period from november 2000 through february 2001 (dp08-002). On october 16, 2008, odi granted dp08-002 and opened pe08-061 to investigate timing chain failures resulting in engine stall while driving (swd) in the saturn l-series vehicles equipped with l61 engines and that used the same design timing chain and timing chain lubrication system as the recalled vehicles.
Timing chain failure-stall
Summary
On june 6, 2006, odi opened an investigation of timing chain failure resulting in engine stall while driving with no restart in approximately 20,514 model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with 2.2l engines (l61) built from november 2000 through february 2001 (ea06-009).the vehicles built during those months exhibited higher failure rates than similarly equipped vehicles built before and after.gm introduced a new timing chain design in production in may 2002.odi closed its investigation after gm initiated a safety recall on november 7, 2007 (recall 07v-519). On may 22, 2008, the north carolina consumers council (nccc) submitted a defect petition to odi requesting the expansion
Timing chain failure - stall
Summary
In a november 7, 2007 letter, general motors (gm) notified odi that it had determined that a safety defect existed in certain model year (my) 2001 saturn l-series vehicles equipped with the 2.2l 4-cylinder (l61) engine built from november 2000 through february 2001.the defect could result in engine stall while driving with no restart. Gm will recall (07v-519) the vehicles to replace the timing chains with redesigned parts. During this engineering analysis gm and odi contacted saturn owners that had warranty work performed related to timing chain replacements or repairs in order to determine certain safety consequences associated with timing chain failure.based on analysis of warranty claim v
Timing chain failure
Summary
On december 12, 2005, odi received a defect petition (dp05-008) requesting the investigation of timing chain failures that could cause stalling in saturn vehicles equipped with the 2.2l (l61) engine. Odi opened pe06-006 on january 24, 2006, with 24 vehicle owner complaints that alleged a broken timing chain caused the vehicle to stop operating.on april 12, 2006, odi received information from general motors (gm) concerning timing chain failures in approximately 412,000 model year (my) 2000 through 2003 saturn l-series and ion vehicles with 2.2l engines. Gm's response included 1,020 owner complaints and field reports concerning timing chain failure, including 228 that alleged the failure cause
Timing chain failure
Summary
Analysis undertaken in response to the petition identified 26 complaints alleging timing chain failures in my 2000-2003 saturn l-series vehicle equipped with the 2.2l l4 engine.most complaints of timing chain failure reportedly resulted in a sudden loss of engine power and stalling.odi also noted that certain my 2002-2003 saturn vue and my 2003 saturn ion model vehicles with the 2.2l engine vehiclescovered by a technical service bulletin (03-06-01-017) that addressed timing chain design and service procedure changes, exhibited no complaints of timing chain failure.odi will grant the petition and open a preliminary evaluation to assess the frequency, trend, scope and safety consequences assoc
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
General motors has decided that a safety related defect exists on certain model saturn 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.this can cause (1) an intermittently inoperative brake/tail lamp bulb or (2) a short circuit that opens a fuse causing inoperative brake or tail lamps (including the center high-mounted stop lamp).gm will conduct a safety recall on an expanded scope of saturn vehicles to install a reinforcing socket adapter (and corresponding nw socket) to the back of the existing lamp assembly.general motors will recall 291,652 my 2000-2002 saturn ls sedans and my 2000-2004 saturn lw
Inoperative tail lamps
Summary
On january 25, 2005, a safety defect petition was received by the office of defects investigation (odi), requesting an investigation of inoperative tail lamps on my 2000-2002 saturn l-series vehicles.the petitioner alleges a defect in the design and assembly of the tail lamp assembly circuit board and light socket contact.the petitioner identified 47 vehicle owner questionnaire's (voq's) associated with the alleged defect, and odi concurs that 40 of those voq's satisfy the scope of this investigation.odi has found an additional 10 voq's related to the allegation.odi has granted the petition and opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-010).
Headlamps flicker off and on
Summary
This pe was opened based on six odi complaints that headlamps flicker off and on, and two odi complaints that the switch is hot to the touch.the investigation has found no occurrences of headlamps going out.the complaints are due to sporadic dimming (flickering) of the headlamps as a result of variation of the voltage to the headlamps.gm has shown that a 1.5 -2.0 voltage drop occurs when other electrical devices are activated, however at no time do the headlamps turn completely off.with respect to allegations that the headlamp switch is hot to the touch, gm reports that the ambient temperature of the switch is 35 degrees c which is not hot enough to burn a finger or hand.in may 2001, gm modi
Questions about the 2001 Saturn LS
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saturn LS?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (339 complaints, typically around 88,000 miles); electrical (80 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); lights (52 complaints, typically around 59,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Saturn LS have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 7, 2007 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Saturn LS?
- It is the most complained-about LS model year since 2000, with 582 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.