Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Saturn S-Series Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign across the Saturn S-Series, 1993–2002. Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 10 model years with settled counts, the 2001 drew the most (11) and the 1993 the fewest (2).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Saturn S-Series complaints by model year

58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

2 5 3 3 4 4 6 10 11 110
1993199419951996199719981999200020012002
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1993 · 2 complaints
  • 1995 · 3 complaints
  • 1996 · 3 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2001 · 11 complaints
  • 2002 · 10 complaints
  • 2000 · 10 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1993–2002. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Saturn S-Series owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1993199419951996199719981999200020012002
Electrical system 1002112400
Engine and engine cooling 0100113121
Power train 0011000014
Air bags 0100001121
Seats 0110011010
Service brakes 0000000023
Seat belts 1000001020
Tires 0110100010

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Saturn S-Series recalls (1)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one S-Series model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Saturn S-Series
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
02V020000Jan 17, 2002GM/FMVSS 210/214/SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE2002—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Where to next

Saturn S-Series FAQ

How many recalls has the Saturn S-Series had?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaigns that cover at least one Saturn S-Series model year from 1993 to 2002. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Saturn S-Series year has the most complaints?

Among the last 10 model years with settled counts, the 2001 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (11) and the 1993 the fewest (2). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Saturn S-Series problems?

Across the 1993–2002 model years, owners most often name the electrical system, engine and engine cooling, power train in complaints filed with NHTSA.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
Was this page useful?Report a data error