2001 Saturn SL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 61 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 111 complaints (12.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 18.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 15.3% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 6.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 14; Electrical System: 10; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 50 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2001: 8; 2002: 20; 2003: 15; 2004: 10; 2005: 9; 2006: 4; 2007: 7; 2008: 15; 2009: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2014: 9; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002740 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
2001 SL1 SATURN
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003424 · 2003-01-26 (January 26, 2003)
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TRUNK AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010890 · 2003-03-22 (March 22, 2003)
IGNITION LOCKED DOWN WAS REPLACED BUT PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. COMPLAINED TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT RECREATE PROBLEM. STOPPED GOING TO DEALERSHIP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011082 · 2003-03-26 (March 26, 2003)
2001 SATURN 1.9 LITER L4 SL2 5 SPEED. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WENT BAD CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO GO BAD. THE CAR HAD 46,000 MILES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011541 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE AXLE SQUEAKED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.*JB. FRONT LEFT AXLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT NOISE CONTINUED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN LOCATED THE PROBLEM-AXLE SEALS. TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH AXLE SEALS, AND PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016822 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE "TURNED" TWO OR THREE TIMES AND VEHICLE ONLY HAS 33K MILES ON IT. DEALER IS AWARE AND HAS SO FAR COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020861 · 2003-06-01 (June 1, 2003)
TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND TOP MOTOR MOUNT BOTH CRACKED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 63,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024545 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS ON 2001 SATURN SL. *MR FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE BUCKED AND STALLED AT IDLE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN ON ROAD TEST. RADIO LIGHT INOPERATIVE. RADIO ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,715 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024545 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V310000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗