Saturn LS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Saturn LS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2004 drew the fewest (1) and the 2001 the most (582).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | — |
| 2000 Among the fewest complaints |
382 | 6 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20–24 |
| 2002 Among the fewest complaints |
493 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
582 | 7 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Saturn LS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2001 Saturn LS: 582 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 300 (52%); Electrical system 80 (14%); Exterior lighting 51 (9%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 14 fires, 19 injuries, 3 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 80,000 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Saturn LS: 493 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 200 (41%); Electrical system 102 (21%); Exterior lighting 69 (14%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 12 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,755 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Saturn LS: 382 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 140 (37%); Electrical system 63 (16%); Exterior lighting 62 (16%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Saturn LS years with the fewest complaints
2004 Saturn LS: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Exterior lighting 1 (100%); Steering 1 (100%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Saturn LS: 382 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 140 (37%); Electrical system 63 (16%); Exterior lighting 62 (16%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 5 fires, 16 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 77,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Saturn LS: 493 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 200 (41%); Electrical system 102 (21%); Exterior lighting 69 (14%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 12 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 75,755 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn LS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 493 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 0 | 75,755 |
| 2001 | 582 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 3 | 80,000 |
| 2000 | 382 | 10 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 77,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Saturn LS recalls
- REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY (2000–2002 model years; 291,652 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2005; 05V245000)
- GM/IGNITION CONTROL MODULE (2000–2002 model years; 239,993 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2003; 03V231000)
- GM/FMVSS 209/TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLES (2000 model year; 156,305 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2000; 00V228003)
- GM/FUEL TANK RELIEF VALVE (2000 model year; 36,848 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1999; 99V345000)
- SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ANCHOR/FMVSS 210 (2002 model year; 20,701 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2005; 05V158000)
All 12 Saturn LS recall campaigns · Saturn LS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Saturn LS years FAQ
Which Saturn LS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2004 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Saturn LS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2001, 2002 and 2000 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Saturn LS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (640 of 1,458 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Saturn LS have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns covering the Saturn LS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn LS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.