Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reports
64,734 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER LOCK AND THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER LOCK AND THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RELATED MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,734.
NHTSA ODI #10667296
41,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VISIBLE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.
NHTSA ODI #10561658
68,000 miles · Jun 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW2. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH BRACKETS WERE ROTTED OFF OF THE FUEL TANK. ONE BRACKET FELL OFF COMPLETELY. HE CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW2. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH BRACKETS WERE ROTTED OFF OF THE FUEL TANK. ONE BRACKET FELL OFF COMPLETELY. HE CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE VEHICLE EXCEPT ON THE FUEL TANK BRACKETS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10273132
25,000 miles · Nov 10, 2005
Seat Belts
DT: CONTACT STATED WHEN LATCHING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IT WILL NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE OCCUPANT. AS THE OCCUPANT LEANED FORWARD THE SEAT BELT CONTINUED TO LOOSEN. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAT BELT WAS USED UNDER LIGHT TO NORMAL CONDITIONS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10142358
48,000 miles · Apr 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, ANTI FREEZE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10059714
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2001
Power TrainCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. WHILE WALKING AWAY GEAR SOME HOW JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. SATURN HAS BEEN OCNTACTED. *AK THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND ANY MECHANICAL CAUSE FOR THE INCIDENT. *YH
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.
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.
2001 Saturn Sw Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year