2001 Saturn SW Problems & Complaints

Better than average75% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SW at the same age

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2001 Saturn SW with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 75% fewer than a typical SW model year at the same age, making the 2001 one of the better SW years. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (2 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

6complaints
2recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2001 Saturn SW problems

  • Fuel & propulsion system~68,000 miles
    233%
  • Transmission & drivetrain
    117%
  • Engine & cooling~48,000 miles
    117%
  • Seat belts~25,000 miles
    117%
  • Electrical system~65,000 miles
    117%

Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Saturn SW complaints by model year

19951996199719981999200020013620312716156
Owner complaints per model year, Saturn SW. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best SW years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →

2001 Saturn SW recalls (2)

Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA recall 00V-310 · Oct 12, 2000 · 65,000 vehicles

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.

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 00V-309 · Oct 12, 2000 · 6,092 vehicles

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.

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.

2001 Saturn SW engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.9L 4-cyl5-speed manualFWD23 / 34 / 27
1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD23 / 32 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2001 Saturn SW a good car?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 SW rates better than average: 75% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SW at the same age. It is one of the best SW years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Saturn SW?

The fuel & propulsion system — 2 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (1) and engine & cooling (1).

How many recalls does the 2001 Saturn SW have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2001 Saturn SW, the most recent from October 12, 2000 (park/neutral start interlock switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SW?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1998 and 1997. See the full Saturn SW years comparison.

At what mileage do 2001 Saturn SW problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 60% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.