NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns and 1,458 owner complaints for the Saturn LS, covering model years 2000 to 2004. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (582), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.
Decode your Saturn LS VIN
See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.
12 recall campaigns on file
· 1,458 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
· 4 model years with data (2000–2004)
most complaints: 2001 (582 for that model year)
· top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (640 complaints)
· latest recall 07V519000 (reported Nov 7, 2007)
36 complaints reporting a crash (2.5%)
· 32 complaints reporting a fire (2.2%)
· 30 complaints reporting an injury (2.1%)
· 2 complaints reporting a death (0.1%)
Saturn LS complaints by model year
4 model years · NHTSA complaints
The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 582 of 1,458, or 39.9%. Next come 2002 (493) and 2000 (382). The fewest are for 2004, with 1 complaint.
Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Saturn LS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Saturn LS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year
Complaints
Reporting a crash
Reporting a fire
Reporting an injury
Reporting a death
2000
382
10
5
11
0
2001
582
14
14
14
2
2002
493
12
12
5
0
2004
1
0
1
0
0
All model years
1,458
36
32
30
2
Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.
Most-reported Saturn LS components
top 15 · NHTSA categories
Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 640 complaints (43.9% of all 1,458), followed by Electrical System (245) and Exterior Lighting (183).
Components named most often in Saturn LS complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Saturn LS complaints (top 15)
Component
Complaints
Share of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling
640
43.9%
Electrical System
245
16.8%
Exterior Lighting
183
12.6%
Engine
94
6.4%
Power Train
81
5.6%
Steering
77
5.3%
Suspension
75
5.1%
Fuel System, Gasoline
58
4.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
45
3.1%
Tires
43
2.9%
Structure
40
2.7%
Unknown or Other
31
2.1%
Air Bags
30
2.1%
Vehicle Speed Control
30
2.1%
Visibility
28
1.9%
One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.
What NHTSA owner complaints mean
These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.
They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.
Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.
Saturn LS recalls
12 campaigns · newest first
Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name LS, newest first. The 12 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2002. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).
12 recall campaigns
Saturn LS recall campaigns covering each model year
2000: 6 campaigns
2001: 7 campaigns
2002: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.
CampaignReportedComponent, defect and remedy
NHTSA campaign 07V519000
Reported
Engine and Engine Cooling
Model year 2001
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 05V245000
Reported
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Model years 2000–2002
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 05V158000
Reported
Seat Belts
Model year 2002
Certain wagons fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." The seat belt anchor may separate from the floor of the vehicle before holding the required test load for the required time.
Consequence:
If a separation occurred in crash, the right and center rear seat occupants may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will install a rear seat center belt anchor reinforcement plate to the floor pan of the vehicle free of charge. The recall began on April 25, 2005. Owners may contact Saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 03V231000
Reported
Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Model years 2000–2002
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 02V329000
Reported
Air Bags › Frontal
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 01V026000
Reported
Air Bags › Frontal
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 00V344000
Reported
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (PRNDL)
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
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.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 00V235000
Reported
Air Bags › Side/Window
Model year 2001
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.
Consequence:
This could cause injury to an occupant.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module assembly.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 00V228003
Reported
Seat Belts
Model year 2000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with TRW seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Consequence:
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 99V345000
Reported
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Model year 2000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Fuel tank assemblies in these vehicles have an over pressure relief (opr) valve that can become stuck open in a frontal collision. If the vehicle rolls over, fuel spillage could occur.
Consequence:
If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.
Remedy:
Dealers will permanently seal the outlet port of the opr valve.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
[+][−]Show 2 more recallsHide older recalls
NHTSA campaign 99V199000
Reported
Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Switch
Model year 2000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Because of a problem in the hazard warning switch assembly, the turn signal lamps may not work or may work intermittently when the driver uses the turn signal lever or hazard warning switch. If the vehicle turn signal indicators are not flashing, then the turn signal lamps may not be flashing.
Consequence:
Other drivers may not be alerted that the vehicle is turning and a crash could occur.
Remedy:
Dealers will replace the hazard warning switch assembly.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
NHTSA campaign 99V197000
Reported
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Model year 2000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 301, "fuel system integrity." These vehicles may have been produced with an inoperative valve within the fuel tank assembly.
Consequence:
If a vehicle with an inoperative valve were involved in a rollover, fuel spillage could occur.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure that the fuel tank assembly valve is operating as intended. They will replace the fuel tank assembly if necessary.
Filed by General Motors, LLC
Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.
How to read this recall list
This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.
What each recall field means
What each recall field means
Field
What it tells you
Campaign number
NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component
The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary
What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence
The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy
What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.
NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recall campaigns for the Saturn LS, covering model years 2000 to 2004. The most recent, 07V519000, was reported on November 7, 2007 and is filed under “Engine and engine cooling”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).
▶▼
Which Saturn LS model year has the most complaints?
The 2001 model year, with 582 of the 1,458 complaints in NHTSA’s file (39.9%). The next are 2002 (493) and 2000 (382). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.
▶▼
What is the most common Saturn LS complaint?
Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 640 complaints, or 43.9% of all 1,458. Electrical System (245) and Exterior Lighting (183) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.
▶▼
Does every recall on this page apply to my Saturn LS?
Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Saturn dealer.
▶▼
How many Saturn LS complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?
Of the 1,458 complaints, 36 report a crash, 32 a fire, 30 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.
Other Saturn models
8 models · most complaints first
The Saturn models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Saturn VIN decoder with every Saturn model page, WMI code and VIN note.
Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.