Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2001 Saturn LS recalls
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA campaign 07V519000 · reported November 7, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 20,514 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2l 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Exterior lighting: brake lights
NHTSA campaign 05V245000 · reported June 2, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 291,652 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Electrical system: ignition, module
NHTSA campaign 03V231000 · reported June 23, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 239,993 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Failure of the resonator will cause increased exhaust noise. Prolonged operation of the vehicle following a resonator failure may lead to a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal
NHTSA campaign 02V329000 · reported December 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 272 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal
NHTSA campaign 01V026000 · reported February 1, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 38 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 00V344000 · reported October 30, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,637 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Unexpected movement of the vehicle could cause a crash without prior warning.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: side/window
NHTSA campaign 00V235000 · reported August 23, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 168 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could cause injury to an occupant.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module assembly.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jan 14, 2025 · Seats · 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Saturn LS1. The contact stated that the front driver’s seat failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the power adjust switch was inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the electrical wiring for the switch was…
Mar 2, 2022 · Engine
Recall bulletin #06074a ,timing chain engine stall. I called gm,and gm arbitration and they said I have no recallcs. This car only has 28,700 miles on it!! My Vin fits the criteria of the recall,and I went to the dealership and they confirmed it,but GM does not acknowledge it! page 4, dealer recall responsibility-all…
May 21, 2021 · Fuel system, gasoline · 226,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Saturn L200. The contact stated while driving, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fuel pump needing to be replaced. The vehicle had…
Mar 13, 2020 · Fuel/propulsion system · 264,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LS200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND CARPET. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE FUEL TANK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CABLE DAHMER…
Nov 3, 2018 · Unknown or other · 141,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC AND IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN. FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED, THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE HAD A RECALL BUT ONLY ON SPECIFIC ONES MADE WITHIN A FOUR MONTH PERIOD BUT MY CAR FALLS INTO THE RECALL DESCRIPTION AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 14, 2025.