Saturn LW200 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
117,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 21 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 19.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 12 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Engine: 12; Electrical System: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10499794 · 2013-02-23 (February 23, 2013)
DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AND CAR SUDDENLY STALLS. WOULDN'T RESTART AND FOUND OUT LATER THAT TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. ENGINE NOW ALSO HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT. IT IS A 2.2L ENGINE BUT APPARENTLY NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGHT THE CHAIN AND OILING NOZZLE ARE THE SAME AS THE OTHER 2001 RECALLED ENGINES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 157,082 miles reported. Look up ODI 10499794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547397 · 2013-10-09 (October 9, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610956 · 2014-07-16 (July 16, 2014)
THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A TAPPING SOUND @ THE VALVE COVER PASSENGER SIDE WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE TAPPING GOT LOUDER. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THEY SAID IT DEFINITELY WAS THE TIMING CHAIN AND CAUTIONED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE TILL I GOT THE CHAIN REPLACED. THE CHAIN COULD BRAKE AND CAUSE THE VALVES TO HIT THE PISTONS MAKING MAJOR ENGINE PROBLEMS $$$$.THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO WOULD NOT WORK ON SATURN TIMING CHAINS ANY MORE THEY HAD TO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISSUE. { 2000 L-SERIES 2.2L 4 CYL TWIN CAM …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10703682 · 2015-04-13 (April 13, 2015)
2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL BULLETIN 05052. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKED SPORDICALLY AND THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR YEARS. RELACING THE BULB WOULD ONLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10703682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10760239 · 2015-08-31 (August 31, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUR 30 MILES,CAR STARTED TO GO CROOKED. AS I PICKED UP SPEED 2 ABOUT 50, IT KEPT GOING TO RIGHT AND AS IF I WAS NOT CONTROLLING IT. HAPPENED VARIOUS TIMES WITH SPEED COMING TO 45-50. WOULD HAVE TO GET OFF FREEWAY, FELT IN DANGER, GO DOWN STREETS OR TURN AROUND . ALIGNMENT. BALANCE, TIRES NOT LAST LONG.CONTROLING STEERING WAS OFF BASE.WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT RECALLS FOR THAT TYPE OF CAR. HE HEARD OF SOMETHING WHILE BACK. CAR FINALLY CUT OF WHILE IN DRIVING AND PARKED. FINALLY AFTER 3-4 MONTHS WITH THIS, IT WOULD NOT STA…
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10760239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11006653 · 2017-07-20 (July 20, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT …
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11006653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10946331 · 2017-01-19 (January 19, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LW200. `THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A FUEL ODOR WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. .....UPDATED 03/08/17 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND RUNNING DOWN THE TANK. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE PUMP. UPDATED 03/13/17.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10946331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325514 · 2020-05-22 (May 22, 2020)
VEHICLE EXHIBITS A CONSTANT, STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ORIGINATING FROM REAR OUTSIDE AREA WITH NO ENGINE CODE AND NO LACK OF DRIVABILITY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10898893 · 2016-08-26 (August 26, 2016)
2 WEEKS AGO THE ODOMETER READ 42,000 MILES AFTER A BATTERY CHANGE IT NOW READS 692,208 MILES! EVEN THOUGH THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BCM COMPUTER GM SAYS I AM NOT COVERED FOR REPAIR . NO ONE IN BARA'S OFFICE AT GM OR SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE (GM) OFFICE CAN TELL US IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY ONLY WANT TO SELL A NEW CAR TO US! THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE CAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WE DONT WANT TO SELL IT AND WE FEAR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AS IT MAY NOT BE SAFE
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10898893 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
2000: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0