2001 Saturn LS

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #07V519000November 7, 200720,514 vehicles affected

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #05V245000June 2, 2005291,652 vehicles affected

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V231000June 23, 2003239,993 vehicles affected

  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 result in the "service engine soon" light flashing, and may lead to secondary failures of the catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and exhaust resonator.

  Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #02V329000December 9, 2002272 vehicles affected

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #01V026000February 1, 200138 vehicles affected

  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.

  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.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V344000October 30, 20001,637 vehicles affected

  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 lever. The driver may put the shift lever in park, but the transaxle may be in reverse or neutral.

  Unexpected movement of the vehicle could cause a crash without prior warning.

  Remedy

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V235000August 23, 2000168 vehicles affected

  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 of the door.

  This could cause injury to an occupant.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module assembly.

Other model years

• 2000 382
• 2001
• 2002 493