On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
Covers2001 Saturn LS
2000-2002 · 3 model years
Saturn LS Problems by year
Owners have filed 387 complaints about the Saturn LS across 3 model years, and it has 12 recalls. The 2000 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (387). The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the electrical system.
- Complaints
- 387
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 16
- Deaths
- 0
LS complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common LS problems
Saturn LS recalls 12
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
Covers2001 Saturn LS
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...
Covers2001 Saturn LS
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...
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.
Covers2000 Saturn LS
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...
Covers2000 Saturn LS
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.
Covers2000 Saturn LS
Latest LS complaints
I am listing this vehicle identification number to fulfill your request on the safety complaint form, however I believe what I am about to share is an issue that applies to all vehicles on the road today, regardless of their source of motive power, if they have a hydraulic-brake system. I believe the current federal specifications for brake lines are too susceptible to corrosion, and although the materials brake lines are made of on most vehicles, probably meet Federal standards. Federal standards for this and...
Read the full complaint
other vehicle parts should evolve more frequently, sensitive to modernization and field experience. Corrosion-resistant brake lines are available and Federal statutes should be upgraded to specify they be constructed of more durable material and also be positioned in vehicles to increase their ease of replacement. Replacement of just the rusted sections of my rear brake lines cost me approximately $3000, and most of that cost was driven by brake line inaccessibility. Brake lines are typically one of the first components installed during vehicle assembly and several layers of components are then placed over them. Given the difficulty of replacement they should be one of the most durable components in the vehicle and calculated to last an appropriate multiple of the vehicle's service life that is economically feasible.
The whole subframe on my 2000 saturn ls is rotted so bad that I can't even drive the vehicle. It started with my car not starting and putting it up on a lift to see what the problem was. That not starting problem is a bad resonator, but in the process the subframe was found to be seriously rotted away. *Tr
CAR LEAKING OIL - NOW ENGINE TROUBLE
Nothing, thank god had happened yet, but it will in a matter of time, how much time I have no idea. The problem is the motor cradle or frame is rusting out, the front where the motor sets had wholes rusted in it, the whole thing is rusting away.
While driving down the interstate my timing chain snapped. Car lost power and put me and my family at risk of an accident.
Ref: 07v519 I am filling this complaint concerning my 2000 saturn ls1 2.2L engine. While driving on a southern california freeway in july 2008 my timing chain broke. This caused us to try and get to the side of the freeway from the left side of the freeway, a very nerve-racking situation. After talking to the dealership and several independent repair shops I elected to replace the engine instead of fixing the timing chain and the other damage that was caused in the broken timing chain. The repair was completed by claremont auto center in pomona ca on 14/july/2008. If necessary I should be able to get a copy of the repair bill.
Questions about the Saturn LS
Which Saturn LS years have the most problems?
By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2000 (387). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2000 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.
Which Saturn LS years have the fewest complaints?
Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2002 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other LS years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.
What are the most common Saturn LS problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (150), electrical system (62), lights (61) most often.
How many recalls does the Saturn LS have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls across all Saturn LS model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data