FaultScore

FaultScore report

2001 Saturn LW200 problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2001 Saturn LW200 with NHTSA between 2013 and 2017. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

11

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

108,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

13%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2001 compares with every other Saturn LW200

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2001 Saturn LW200

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 7 63.6%

Median failure at 116,500 miles

Lights 1 9.1%
Suspension 1 9.1%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Steering 1 9.1%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Electrical System 1 9.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 12.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 6 75.0%
150,000+ miles 1 12.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 2013 peak 3 Jul 2017

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

SUSPENSION

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Mansfield, OH 2 injured

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN IT MY STEERING WHEEL WENT CRAZY. IT WENT FROM BEING CENTER TO VERTICAL. I DROVE AS CLOSE TO HOME AS I COULD GET AND THEN MY CAR CAME TO A GRINDING HAULT. I THOUGHT I UAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THATS NOT WHAT IT WAS. AFTER TOWING IT HOME WE LOOKED UNDER IT AND THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD BROKE!! WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT BROKE THE CONTROL ARM ON MY CAR CAUSING MY TIRE TO ROTATE INWARD AND BACK INTO THE FENDER WELL. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT AND WE HAVE NO OTHER CAR. THE ONLY WAY THE CHILDREN WERE HURT WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, SINCETHEY ARE AUTISTIC. NOONE WAS INJURED BUT IF THE CRADLE BROKE CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO BREAK WHILE DRIVING I VERY WELL COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK, WITH 2 SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS AND NOWAY HOME. IF WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL!!

NHTSA complaint #11006653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 124,000 miles Bloomington, IN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATOR FUNCTION AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA complaint #10816763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Buffalo Grove, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL BULLETIN 05052. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WORKED SPORDICALLY AND THE PROBLEM WENT ON FOR YEARS. RELACING THE BULB WOULD ONLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10703682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Seymour, IN

ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR , IT DIED. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE TIMING CHAIN FOR THE SATURN L SERIES FOR THE YEAR OF MY VEHICLE. YET, MINE IS 2 MONTHS SHY OF THE RECALL DATE. MY MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR. TELL ME WHY THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION TIME OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED? SEEING HOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT INVOLVED IN THIS SITUATION, BUT I AM SURE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN. I AM ASKING THAT MY ENGINE BE REPLACED BY GM. I AM ASKING THAT THE THE RECALL BE EXTENDED FOR THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHO NOW HAVE VEHICLES THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A FAULTY MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO EXTEND THE RECALL!

NHTSA complaint #10616592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Soquel, CA

ENGINE

AFTER STARTING CAR AND ROLLING BACK TO LEAVE PARKING SPACE AT 5MPH THERE WAS A MUFFLED POP AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING.I TRIED TO CRANK ENGINE AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO PUSH IT INTO A NEARBY PARKING SPOT. LOCAL REPAIR PERSON DIAGNOSED THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TIMING CHAIN. SAID SAME YEAR AND MODEL WAS INVOLVED IN GM SAFETY RECALL 06074 ISSUED DECEMBER 2007 ACCORDING TO HIS DATABASE. GM SAYS MY CAR ISN'T INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BREWING FOR YEARS AS THE CHAIN SEEMS NOT TO BE GETTING PROPER OILING AND WOULD RATTLE MAKING A DREADFUL NOISE WHICH WOULD SUBSIDE AFTER A FEW MILES NORMALLY. IT HAS OCCURRED PERIODICALLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED WITH 32K MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10596097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmwood Park, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING REALLY BAD, RUNNING ROUGH AND WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED A RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10568462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmwood Park, IL

ENGINE

2001 SATURN L200. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN DECEMBER 2013, THE VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING REALLY BAD, RUNNING ROUGH AND WOULD SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HIS MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED A RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC FIXED THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HIS MECHANIC, AND HE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10568462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Denver, CO

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN LW200. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #10547397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 157,082 miles NEW Carlisle, OH

ENGINE

DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AND CAR SUDDENLY STALLS. WOULDN'T RESTART AND FOUND OUT LATER THAT TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN. ENGINE NOW ALSO HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT. IT IS A 2.2L ENGINE BUT APPARENTLY NOT ON THE RECALL LIST EVEN THOUGHT THE CHAIN AND OILING NOZZLE ARE THE SAME AS THE OTHER 2001 RECALLED ENGINES.

NHTSA complaint #10499794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.