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Research · Compact Cars

2001 Saturn SLRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 128 owner complaints for the 2001 Saturn SL. Most complaints involve electrical system (31) and power train (22). The EPA rates it 26–29 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Apr 2009
Owner complaints
128
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Power train: park

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 12, 2000NHTSA 00V310000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 12, 2000NHTSA 00V309000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

128 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2000 – Jan 2024
  1. Electrical system31
  2. Power train22
  3. Engine and engine cooling21
  4. Air bags16
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  6. Seats7
  7. Tires4
  8. Structure4
  9. Exterior lighting4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each SL model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996315
1997256
1998183
1999193
2000171
2001128
2002149
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

31 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 10826037

Power train

22 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 9, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10435002

Engine and engine cooling

21 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10439385
All 2001 SL problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SL
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
253629$2,150306
SL
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
243427$2,300329
SL
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
233427$2,300329
SL
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
  • SL
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    25 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • SL
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • SL
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • SL
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Saturn SL as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4263
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 SL questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Saturn SL have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Saturn SL problems?

Owners filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (31), power train (22), engine and engine cooling (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Saturn SL get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Saturn SL at 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026