← 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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Dec 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10439385

132,000 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. ....UPDATED 12/03/12 *BF UPDATED 01/11/12

NHTSA ODI #10435002

66,636 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT RECALL ON HER VEHICLE, BUT THEY WOULD COVER HALF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SHE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN PERTAINING TO THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,636.

NHTSA ODI #10265707

160,000 miles · Jul 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233617

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MULTI ENGINE MISFIRE, KNOCK SYSTEM, IDLE SPEED HIGH, IGNITION SYSTEM VOLTS. THE INTAKE GASKET WAS LEAKING. MY REPAIRMAN THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS IN MULTIPLE DIFFERENT SATURNS ESPECIALLY IN THE SL1 MODEL. IF NOT FIXED, IDLE WILL INCREASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224218

75,000 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - EPA PROBLEM AT 75,000 MILES OUR 2001 SL2 BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. 1 QT IN LESS THAN 150 MILES. THIS IS LESS THAT ONE QUART PER FUEL STOP. NO OIL IS DRIPPING AND THE ENGINE IS DRY OF OIL. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUCH CASES POSTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES. ALL WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS S…

Read full complaint

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - EPA PROBLEM AT 75,000 MILES OUR 2001 SL2 BEGAN TO CONSUME OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. 1 QT IN LESS THAN 150 MILES. THIS IS LESS THAT ONE QUART PER FUEL STOP. NO OIL IS DRIPPING AND THE ENGINE IS DRY OF OIL. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF SUCH CASES POSTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES. ALL WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS STARTING AT BETWEEN 60,000 AND 80,000 MILES. IT SEEMS THAT GM USED LOW TENSION OIL RINGS AND THEY STICK EASILY ALLOWING THE OIL TO BURN IN THE CYLINDER. A TEMPORARY FIX CAN BE OBTAINED BY REMOVING THE SPARK PLUGS AND FILLING EACH CYLINDER WITH CAR CLEANER. A SOAKING OF SEVERAL HOURS WILL STOP THE OIL USAGE FOR ABOUT 3000 MILES THEN IT WILL START AGAIN. THIS IS ALSO AN EPA PROBLEM AS THE OIL IS GOING OUT THE EXHAUST. THE RESPONSE FROM SATURN IS THIS FALLS IN THE REALM OF NORMAL OIL USAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218553

57,777 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR MADE A PFFFF SOUND AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR THE MOTOR JUST STOPPED. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN JUST SNAPPED AND THEN 12 OUT OF THE 16 VALVES IN THE CAR BENT. I FOUND THIS INCREDIBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH …

Read full complaint

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR MADE A PFFFF SOUND AND I LOST ALL POWER TO THE CAR THE MOTOR JUST STOPPED. I HAD NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED THE TIMING CHAIN JUST SNAPPED AND THEN 12 OUT OF THE 16 VALVES IN THE CAR BENT. I FOUND THIS INCREDIBLE ON A VEHICLE WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10197989

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

10,000 miles · Dec 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE CAR WAS ENGINE WAS RACING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE BAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES FROM A NORMAL 750 RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 1750 RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL, INTERMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES AFT…

Read full complaint

WE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE CAR WAS ENGINE WAS RACING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE BAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES FROM A NORMAL 750 RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 1750 RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL, INTERMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR ENGINE WHEN IT DOES THIS WILL EXCEED 1100 RPM WHILE IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONE TIME SPECIFICALLY WHILE IT WAS EXHIBITING THE HIGH IDLE AND NO CAUSE WAS DISCOVERED, NO PARTS REPLACED; THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS TODAY. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH WE TOOK IT IN WHILE THE ENGINE WAS HIGH IDLING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144634

41,000 miles · Feb 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE HAD TO HAVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED ON OUR 2001 SATURN SL2 WITH ONLY 41,500 MILES. THE CAR RECEIVED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAY BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES AND BELIEVE THAT SATURN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10058564

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.