Model year record

2001 Saturn SL recalls & problems

The 2001 Saturn SL has 3 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (31 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints111filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

2001 Saturn SL in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 12, 2000

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V3090006,092 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Power trainOct 12, 2000

Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 00V31000065,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2001 Saturn SL 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

SL

29mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition	31	1	0	64,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	20	0	0	60,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	18	0	0	63,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Master cylinder	14	1	0	43,576 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	13	8	5	73,000 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Mid/rear assembly	6	4	2	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire	4	0	0	—
StructureFrame and members; Body › Roof and pillars	4	2	2	—
Unknown or other	4	0	0	65,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Accelerator pedal	3	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	3	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the pressure, and it looked completely normal. If I had a flat tire then, I would have put it on the car without hesitation. I suspect that it would have failed on the road leading to a possible disaster. My…
Jan 8, 2024
Air bagsCrash
I HAVE SOO MUCH PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR
May 9, 2017 · 127 miles
Electrical system
MY SATURN THAT I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF NOW, COMPLETELY CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING IT. LUCKILY I WAS AT A DRIVE THEY SO SO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ME OR ANYONE ELSE. COULD NOT GET IT TO START BACK UP FOR A GOOD 5-10 MINS. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT IN IT AND I'M CONSTANTLY HAVING TO ADD FLUID SO IT DOESNT SKIP. THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS KEEP HAVING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY KEEP BLOWING OUT.
Sep 19, 2015 · 190,000 miles
Unknown or other
MY KEY COMES OUT THE IGNITION IN THE RUN POSITION, WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW. THIS STARTED ABOUT THE YEAR OF 2009 AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES. I HAVE 165,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW.
Jun 9, 2009 · 65,000 miles
Unknown or other
I HAVE TROUBLE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONCE STARTED THE KEYS CAN FALL OUT OF THE SWITCH. PLEASE ADD THIS TO THE IGNITION RECALL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!
May 1, 2012 · 185,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TOWARDS THE ON POSITION, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN THE KEY AND IT TOOK NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS REMOVED WITHOUT THE IGNITION BEING TURNED TO THE OFF POSITION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO INDICATE WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FUEL CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE…
Jun 1, 2013 · 142,000 miles
Electrical system
AFTER THE KEY IS INSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AND TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK REMAINS STUCK IN THE "OFF" POSITION. OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME CONSISTENTLY WORSE. WE HAVE BEEN STRANDED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING WE ARE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH SATURN'S VEHICLES. *TR
Jul 16, 2014 · 118,025 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
OUR DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON 10/9/2014. A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HER. OUR DAUGHTER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF THE SATURN TO THE DRIVERS DOOR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT WE BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE. OUR DAUGHTER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *TR
Oct 9, 2014 · 66,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.