← New search

2001 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Sl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

61 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

29 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2008
Electrical SystemSteering

SATURN 2001 ION IGNITION - CAR WON'T START BECAUSE KEY WON'T TURN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND IS A BAD SAFETY ISSUE. PEOPLE ARE STRANDED WITH VEHICLES THAT WON'T START OR SOMETIMES EVEN TURN OFF. THIS IS AWFUL, AND SATURN KNOWS ABOUT IT, AND GM IS ASKING FOR A BAILOUT? THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IF GOVERNMEN…

Read full complaint

SATURN 2001 ION IGNITION - CAR WON'T START BECAUSE KEY WON'T TURN THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SATURNS AND IS A BAD SAFETY ISSUE. PEOPLE ARE STRANDED WITH VEHICLES THAT WON'T START OR SOMETIMES EVEN TURN OFF. THIS IS AWFUL, AND SATURN KNOWS ABOUT IT, AND GM IS ASKING FOR A BAILOUT? THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. IF GOVERNMENT WON'T FORCE A RECALL ON KNOWN ISSUES, THE COMPANY WINDS UP GOING EXTINCT DUE TO POOR QUALITY ISSUES. RECALL THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252496

96,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Electrical System

MY 2001 SATURN SL2 HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IGNITION LOCK ON DISCUSSION BOARDS. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR, BUT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO JIGGLE IT TO START. I'VE BEEN LUCKY. IF THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A PROBLEM WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL RATHER THAN ALL THE FALSE CHARGES AND REPAIRS PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO PAY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239160

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2002 SATURN SL1. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS CUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY**CC THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK FINE. THE DASH LIGHT ALSO STOPPED WORKING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183710

64,000 miles · Dec 27, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I PURCHASED A 2001 SATURN SL FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP AT THE END OF JUNE 2006. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, MANY COMPONENTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL - ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER. ALL WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. JUST TODAY (12/27/06) THE CAR START…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2001 SATURN SL FROM A SMALL CAR DEALERSHIP AT THE END OF JUNE 2006. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH A 30 DAY WARRANTY. IN THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST, MANY COMPONENTS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BEGAN TO FAIL - ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER. ALL WERE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE FAILED. JUST TODAY (12/27/06) THE CAR STARTED TO ACT UP AGAIN. WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10177132

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2005
Electrical System

WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, IT DOESN'T TURN MOST OF THE TIME. IT HAS BEEN TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND ALSO REINSERTING THE KEY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND IT IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I ALSO KNOW OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS WITH OTHER MODELS WHICH HAVE TH…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION, IT DOESN'T TURN MOST OF THE TIME. IT HAS BEEN TRIED TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH AND ALSO REINSERTING THE KEY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW AND IT IS GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. I ALSO KNOW OF OTHER SATURN OWNERS WITH OTHER MODELS WHICH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SAY THAT THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS.

NHTSA ODI #10129662

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2005
Electrical System

DT: AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE KEY WAS REMOVED WITH THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION,. THEN, THE KEY COULD NOT BE REENTERED. ALSO, KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DEALERSHIP TOLD THE OWNER IT WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. OWNER DID NOT THINK THAT SHE SHOULD …

Read full complaint

DT: AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE THE KEY WAS REMOVED WITH THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION,. THEN, THE KEY COULD NOT BE REENTERED. ALSO, KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DEALERSHIP TOLD THE OWNER IT WAS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. OWNER DID NOT THINK THAT SHE SHOULD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10126255

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2005
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. FOUND POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL ON ORIGINAL AC DELCO BATTERY LEAKING AND CORRODING THE BATTERY CABLE. REPLACEMENT BATTERY CORRECTED PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10110630

38,000 miles · Jun 15, 2004
Electrical System

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WIRING BURNT OUT AND BROKE. THIS WIRES ARE LOCATED CLOSE TO OTHER WIRES IN THE ENGINE, AND COULD OF RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BURNT WIRES. THE CAUSE OF THE WIRES BURNING IS UNDETERMINED. *L…

Read full complaint

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WIRING BURNT OUT AND BROKE. THIS WIRES ARE LOCATED CLOSE TO OTHER WIRES IN THE ENGINE, AND COULD OF RESULTED IN AN ENGINE FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BURNT WIRES. THE CAUSE OF THE WIRES BURNING IS UNDETERMINED. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10076236

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC THE MECHANIC RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *AK THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2000-2003 L-SERIES SATURNS REGARDING…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC THE MECHANIC RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *AK THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2000-2003 L-SERIES SATURNS REGARDING THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE, SO THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS NOT WIDESPREAD. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WITH HIS CAR WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10065530

39,040 miles · Mar 26, 2004
Electrical System

BATTERY ACID LEAK ON POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL (SATURN 2001 SL2). ON 3/13/04 AT NIGHT TRIED TO START MY SATURN AND COULDN'T START IT. CALLED SATURN ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A JUMP (CAR STARTED). *AK ON THE DRIVE HOME CAR LOST ALL POWER COMING OFF THE FREEWAY AFTER PUSHING THE CAR TO A GAS STATION I FOUND THE POSITIVE BATTERY …

Read full complaint

BATTERY ACID LEAK ON POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL (SATURN 2001 SL2). ON 3/13/04 AT NIGHT TRIED TO START MY SATURN AND COULDN'T START IT. CALLED SATURN ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A JUMP (CAR STARTED). *AK ON THE DRIVE HOME CAR LOST ALL POWER COMING OFF THE FREEWAY AFTER PUSHING THE CAR TO A GAS STATION I FOUND THE POSITIVE BATTERY WAS CORRODED. I ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND THE BATTERY TERMINAL WITH THE CABLE FELL OUT OF THE BATTERY. CALLED SATURN ROADSIDE SERVICE FOR A TOW TO SATURN OF TORRANCE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. 3/15/04 SATURN OF TORRANCE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOOK THE CAN IN FOR REPAIR. AND FOUND THE FOLLOWING: POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL OUT OF BATTERY POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORRODED CLEANED AFFECTED AREA I WAS CHARGED $127.57 FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE CORRODED WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (NO CHARGE) NOTE: BATTERY WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND HAD GREEN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWING THE BATTERY WAS STILL GOOD. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH BEING CHARGE FOR A REPLACEMENT BATTERY FOR A NEW CAR, AFTER LEARNING THAT QUITE A FEW OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT SATURN SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE (SERVICE BULLETIN 01-T-26) NOTE: (STATEMENT POSTED ON THE INTERNET SAME PROBLEM) YES THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IS BASICALLY CAUSED BY SOMEONE OVER-TORQUING THE CABLE MOUNTING BOLTS. THERE IS ACTUALLY A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM (NOT A RECALL OR CAMPAIGN) )1-T-26 .THE CONDITION CAN OCCUR ON ANY YEAR AND MODEL SATURN OR OTHERWISE WITH A SIDE POST BATTERY. BUT FOR WHAT-EVER REASON THE BULLETIN SPECIFIES ONLY 2000-2001 S-SERIES. (OVER-TORQUED AT FACTORY??) HTTP://WWW.SATURNFANS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP3?S=D24372B7D0378A6EBF7DB656F9578E7E&THREADID=26203&HIGHLIGHT=SATURN+BATTERY+LEAK

NHTSA ODI #10063984

Official recalls

2

00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

00V310000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.