Saturn LS Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 640 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn LS across 3 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (300). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (75% of reports).
- 640engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $3,900typical repair cost reported by owners
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 483 of 640 complaints (75%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Saturn LS at $3,900, and half of them between $2,500 and $5,300.
Based on 114 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2014), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 548 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 640 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury.
Saturn LS engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.2l 4-cylinder engine, links in the engine's timing chain can separate.
Risk: If a timing chain link separates while the engine is running, the engine will stall and will not restart increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the timing chain free of charge. The recall began on january 15, 2008. Owners may contact saturn at 1-800-972-8876.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Well first my engine control monitor is sending a bunch of random off codes from ma's air sensor vol low to crankshaft sensor volume low to o2 sensors to transmission codes, my side airbag on driver side blue up out of no were my key fob stopped reading and now my car won't start i know all of a…
Timing chain broken, stalled while driving. *tr
I was backing out of a parking spot and my 2002 l200 stalled after a rattling sound from the engine. I had the car towed to the saturn dealership in marietta, georgia. They diagnosed that the timing belt had slipped/broke and had damaged the engine. They also said that the engine would need to be…
I took my car in for a tune up and found out the timing belt tensioner had gone bad destroying my motor. *tr
I have 2 children and im a part time single mom. I love my car. Never had any problems. One day after work. It simply wouldn't start. The timing chain defaulted on me. Now i am car less and in danger of losing employment. I have recently discovered that there had been a previous recall on this…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Saturn LSs have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 640 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Saturn LS. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Saturn LS engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn LS?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,900 (half paid between $2,500 and $5,300), from 114 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Saturn LS?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 483 of 640 complaints.
Other Saturn LS problems
See all Saturn LS problems.