Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Saturn LS

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 709 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V519000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
20,514
Reported to NHTSA
2007-11-07
Owners notified
2008-01-15

Defect description

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

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V245000

Exterior lighting: brake lights

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
291,652
Reported to NHTSA
2005-06-02
Owners notified
2005-10-17

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V231000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
239,993
Reported to NHTSA
2003-06-23
Owners notified
2003-07-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FAILURE OF THE RESONATOR WILL CAUSE INCREASED EXHAUST NOISE. PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING A RESONATOR FAILURE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V329000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
272
Reported to NHTSA
2002-12-09
Owners notified
2002-12-16

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V026000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
38
Reported to NHTSA
2001-02-01
Owners notified
2001-01-29

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V344000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,637
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-30
Owners notified
2000-10-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V235000

Air bags: side/window

Component
Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
168
Reported to NHTSA
2000-08-23
Owners notified
2000-08-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling15092,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine9185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys4568,000 mi
Electrical system4267,000 mi
Engine41110,000 mi
Power train14100,670 mi
Suspension1448,467 mi
Air bags1376,663 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1370,068 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1337,000 mi
Steering1340,000 mi
Exterior lighting1279,000 mi
Tires119,000 mi
Unknown or other1196,296 mi
Vehicle speed control1180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline969,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission958,767 mi
Suspension: rear816,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline7105,184 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights630,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition5130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module564,950 mi
Equipment570,068 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump544,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor527,561 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel477,535 mi
Electrical system: horn4141,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch471,140 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4101,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4125,000 mi
Interior lighting435,000 mi
Service brakes4106,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump453,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion450,000 mi
Suspension: front4193 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery383,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring3109,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers372,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash335,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3109,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly372,000 mi
Seats339,281 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip346,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack310,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Air bags: frontal261,000 mi
Child seat2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator283,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)275,185 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch252,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal289,850 mi
Fuel system, other2—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system2—
Parking brake210,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust230,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor210,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic240,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar28,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system230,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid253,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly270,068 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs243,407 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2200 mi
Air bags: side/window164,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan198,022 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings144,343 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe164,715 mi
Equipment: electrical1200 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch159,253 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings159,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap178,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages125,500 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1111,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft130,297 mi
Power train: axle hubs195,000 mi
Power train: driveline195,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint117,774 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly110,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper134,980 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column156,979 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector117,774 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1196 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar157,329 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—

The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.