Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl 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.
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.
1st incident: I went in to the Saturn dealer for an oil change and the dealer found a fuel leak between the tank and the filter. There was fuel on top of the tank top and also dripping down the side. The dealer said there was a cracked line in the fuel system close to the tank top. I had to replace the fuel pump assembly in order to repair the leak of my pocket as it was not covered by the warranty. 2nd incident: yesterday I went for a state inspection at the local Chevrolet dealer that takes care of my Saturn and they reported that I have a fuel tank leaking and have to replace the fuel pump. Because of this it failed the state inspection. My car currently has only 41152 miles on it and is driven mostly for pleasure. Is there a current recall on the fuel pump assembly or the fuel tanks of the Saturn l300 series?
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.
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 updated 01/11/12
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.
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.
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.
The engine in my car, a 2001 Saturn SL, seized. The car was well maintained, and had only about 43000 miles. The oil had been changed one week prior to this incident, and the engine showed no signs of leakage. I was fortunate that we were moving slowly, as somebody May have been injured at highway speeds.
Engine complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Saturn SL, 18% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Saturn SL engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Saturn SL, though it has 2 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 SL engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
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.