Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Saturn LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My daughter [redacted] was the passenger and [redacted] was driver. The kids went for drive and were found the next early morning around 6 am. The car was so burned and destroyed the kids could not be identified, and all who were there questioned the straight tire tracks without any correction or over correction in the steering of tire tracks, no braking in the county road tracks, and with fracture and damage of the skull area we later were told that the air bags never deployed! The tracks were approx 150 yrds long and went at an angle of perfection gradually pointing towards a ravine that would end both of the kids lives. We sent a forensic specialist to look at car 2 months later and was told to save our money on full report because the specialist said the car was so destroyed he couldn't make heads or tails as to a case against GM. …
Driving down in congested morning traffic on highway when engine shut off. With engine off, brakes hard to push and steering very difficult. Vehicle coasted to stop. Engine would not restart. It just turned over. Shop said timing chain snapped and engine had to be replaced.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saturn ls2. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, while driving, a stream of smoke appeared from the steering column. The first time was two weeks ago and the most recent was on June 5, 2007. The contact stated that the vehicle's high beams illuminate when the turn signal is activated and the day time running lamps and the brake lights flash interchangeably. The purchase date, engine size, and powertrain were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 56,979. Updated 09/05/07.
I brake hard to avoid an animal in the road. When I stepped on the gas the car would not move. When I put it in park, the car would roll. Upon inspection, the frame had buckled, causing the cv joint to fall out. I did not hit anything or go off the road. All I did was hit the brakes and the framed collapsed in the area of right front a-arm.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saturn l300. The contact stated that tires rubbed against the vehicle whenever he drove in reverse at a low speed while turning sharply. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop but the failure could not be determined. The current mileage was approximately 118,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
My car is 2001 l 200 and I have had numerious problems with emer. Brake and steering. I have recently had problems with the struat mount, and brake roters. I have only 45,000 miles on the car and have already begun the high repair bills. With no help from Saturn as of yet. I still am trying.
While under warrenty my Saturn l200 had "growlilng noise:"while steering, Saturn fixed power steering. Approx 18mo later growling noise returned and was diagnosed as rack and pinion steering failure, not covered, cost $1400. Car had only 50000miles on at the time of steering failure.
I have had constant vibration thru the steering wheel while driving at highway speeds. I have taken the car to my Saturn dealership 4 times to have it repaired and is still an issue. This makes the car difficult to handle or manuver on the highway.
The rack gear on power steering and rack and pinion steering becomes faulty and makes for a big power steering fluid leak and also makes for hard steering. No injuries due to failure, however this is a safety issue and should be looked into.
Power steering system. At high speeds (I.e. Freeway speeds of 65-75) becomes very inoperable and hard to control. Power steering pump and rack and pinion steering gear go out at the same time. Leaks prevent further use of power steering.
Steering complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Saturn LS, 5% of the model year's 582 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › pump (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Saturn LS steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Saturn LS, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Saturn LS steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries and 2 deaths to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.