2001 Saturn Ls: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Saturn Ls: 7 recalls, 582 owner complaints.
Recalls
7 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #00V235000 · 2000 · 168 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This could cause injury to an occupant.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module assembly.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #00V344000 · 2000 · 1,637 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Unexpected movement of the vehicle could cause a crash without prior warning.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V026000 · 2001 · 38 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #02V329000 · 2002 · 272 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002.
Electrical Vehicle recall #03V231000 · 2003 · 239,993 vehicles
What's wrong: 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,…
Why it matters: Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure May lead to a fire.
The 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…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #05V245000 · 2005 · 291,652 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Dealers will install two new tail lamp reinforcing socket adapters and sockets free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2005.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #07V519000 · 2007 · 20,514 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2l 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the timing chain free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2008.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 19 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (300): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (106), noise or vibration (25).
- Electrical (80): the most common themes are electrical failure (29), fire / smoke (14), stalls / loses power (14).
- Exterior lights (51): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), stalls / loses power (4).
- Engine (41): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (26), noise or vibration (6), warning light on (3).
The 2001 Saturn Ls has 582 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 4 Ls model years for complaints (1.6× the average Ls year). Complaints peaked in 2008 (70 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (382 complaints, 6 recalls), 2002 (493 complaints, 3 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Saturn Ls.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2001 Saturn Ls have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Saturn Ls. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Saturn Ls problems?
Owners have filed 582 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (300), electrical (80), exterior lights (51).
Where can I get a 2001 Saturn Ls repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.