Saturn Sl 2001

Model Sl made in 2001 by Saturn got 33 consumer complains there are 3 recalls as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding seats. There were some recalls concerningexterior lighting, fuel system, gasoline and power train. The car has one 1.9 engine.

Sl year 2001

Model
Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Consumer Complaints

Car dealers

Model 2001

Engine [L]	Cylinders	Transmission	Drive	Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined)	Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined)	Fuel	Fuel cost	Class
1.9	4	Lockup/automatic, 4 gears	F	27/37/31	30,2000/47,3000/36,0677	Regular	654	COMPACT CARS
1.9	4	Lockup/automatic, 4 gears	F	25/35/29	27,9786/45,2908/33,7910	Regular	699	COMPACT CARS
1.9	4	Manual, 5 gears	F	29/40/33	32,1000/51,5000/38,6521	Regular	614	COMPACT CARS
1.9	4	Manual, 5 gears	F	27/38/31	29,9000/48,4000/36,1113	Regular	654	COMPACT CARS

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date	Regulation Part Number	FMVSS Number
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
09E012000	SABERSPORT		E (Equipment)	16270	05/11/2009	OVSC	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	04/07/2009	04/07/2009	571	108
Defect Summary	Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence Summary	Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Corrective Summary	Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
Notes	This recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer.in order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport.the list can be found under document search located at the bottom of your screen.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
00V309000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 03/01/2000 to 07/31/2000	V (Vehicle)	6092	10/06/2000	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	10/12/2000	10/24/2000	571	301
Defect Summary	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.
Consequence Summary	Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. if an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. if necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.
Notes	Owner notification began october 6, 2000.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
00V310000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 03/01/2000 to 07/31/2000	V (Vehicle)	65000	10/06/2000	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	10/12/2000	10/24/2000	571	114
Defect Summary	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. if improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the park position with the ignition key removed.
Consequence Summary	This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
Corrective Summary	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. if owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.
Notes	Owner notification began october 6, 2000.owners who have questions about this recall should contact saturn at 1-800-553-6000. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Replacement Bulletin	Item no.	Summary	Added
SEATS
00T38	07/01/2000		614008	Some customers may comment about abnormal wear or a cut on the inboard edge of the driver or passenger seat back cover. *tt	09/26/2000

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
AIR BAGS
01/26/2007	96650	1	09/01/2000
	While parking, at the speed of about 3 mph i hit the side of a cemented driveway which was higher than the street, and the driver and passenger airbags deployed. there is no damage to my bumper or any other parts of my car. *jb
AIR BAGS - FRONTAL
10/19/2003	47000	1
	While parking vehicle,both air bags inadvertently deployed. had not hit anything while parking vehicle. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
08/15/2006	64000	4	06/25/2006
	I purchased a 2001 saturn sl from a small car dealership at the end of june 2006. the car was purchased with a 30 day warranty. in the middle of august, many components of the electrical system began to fail - alternator, battery, starter. all were replaced. in addition, the engine failed. just today (12/27/06) the car started to act up again. worst car i've ever owned. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
06/21/2001		15	04/01/2001
	I have contacted saturn corporation and two dealerships to have this problem fixed it has not been fixed or taken seriously. no safety defect listed. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
04/05/2004		1
	While driving 55 mph, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. the vehicle stalled. the driver was unable to restart. the driver had the vehicle towed to a mechanic the mechanic reset the computer system. ak the consumer discovered there was a recall on certain 2000-2003 l-series saturns regarding the ignition control module, so the consumer contacted the manufacturer and was told the problem was not widespread. the consumer believed the problem he experienced with his car was stated in the recall. jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
07/02/2008	160000
	Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn sl. while driving 70 mph, the timing chain failed and the vehicle had to be towed to a mechanic. the mechanic stated that the engine needed to be replaced. the current and failure mileages were 160,000.
05/24/2001	63400	2	11/11/2000
	Temperature sensor and top motor mount both cracked. *tt
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
08/15/2006	64000	4	06/25/2006
	I purchased a 2001 saturn sl from a small car dealership at the end of june 2006. the car was purchased with a 30 day warranty. in the middle of august, many components of the electrical system began to fail - alternator, battery, starter. all were replaced. in addition, the engine failed. just today (12/27/06) the car started to act up again. worst car i've ever owned. *jb
08/23/2003	43000	1	06/19/2001
	The engine in my car, a 2001 saturn sl, seized. the car was well maintained, and had only about 43000 miles. the oil had been changed one week prior to this incident, and the engine showed no signs of leakage. i was fortunate that we were moving slowly, as somebody may have been injured at highway speeds.
08/27/2003		1
	The vehicle shut down while driving and check engine light illuminated on the dash *ak
03/12/2001	8715	4	10/01/2000
	Defective brake rotors on 2001 saturn sl. mr front brake pads and rotors had to be replaced 4 times. intermittently vehicle bucked and stalled at idle. dealer was unable to duplicate concern on road test. radio light inoperative. radio assembly replaced. tt *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
08/25/2002		1
	Consumer states that while driving at highway speed when the engine suddenly died. cause is unknown. please provide any further information. nlm
09/13/2001		1
	Consumer states while driving at highway speeds the vehicles engine suddenly died. please provide any further information. nlm
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
03/12/2001	8715	4	10/01/2000
	Defective brake rotors on 2001 saturn sl. mr front brake pads and rotors had to be replaced 4 times. intermittently vehicle bucked and stalled at idle. dealer was unable to duplicate concern on road test. radio light inoperative. radio assembly replaced. tt *jb
06/26/2003	55153	5	10/09/2000
	The vehicle brake rotor warp several times which caused vibration while braking. the dealer replaced the rotors. when the vehicle was moved from a stop the vehicle jerked forward. the vehicle also acts as if it want to stall when sitting idle. the dealer was unable to duplicate either concern. the radio light was inoperative therefore the dealer replaced the radio. ak cb *nlm
OTHER
10/15/2002			10/01/2001
	No summary. dt
POWER TRAIN
06/26/2003	55153	5	10/09/2000
	The vehicle brake rotor warp several times which caused vibration while braking. the dealer replaced the rotors. when the vehicle was moved from a stop the vehicle jerked forward. the vehicle also acts as if it want to stall when sitting idle. the dealer was unable to duplicate either concern. the radio light was inoperative therefore the dealer replaced the radio. ak cb *nlm
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/15/2000		2	11/22/2000
	While in 5th gear at 65 mph vehicle automatically shifted into neutral, there was a truck right behind consumer when this happened. ak there was a second occasion when at an intersection in heavy traffic, vehicle was in third gear and as consumer accelerated, transmission slammed into neutral, causing rapid deceleration, after first incident, dealer adjusted a bushing and stated problem should not reoccur, however it did and dealer stated there was nothing that could be done and it was due to the way the transmission was engineered. slc
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
09/03/2008	140000	1
	While driving to work this morning, my gear shifter just went loose and the car was stuck in gear without any ability to shift. fortunately, i wasn't hit as i was crossing the road at 6:19 in the am and i was able to pull over safely into the emergency lane. the failure was the shift cable bushing had broken. http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_80337.html will show more detailed comments from other consumers. shouldn't something that can cause such a loss of control be made out of something a bit more durable than plastic and also be sold as an individual part and not a $250 assembly that costs another $250 to install? the part was ordered from saturn and will be installed by a local aamcco transmission repair shop that was the closest place to my home. the incident occurred about 1 mile away from my house. *tr
06/14/2007		1	10/15/2000
	Plastic bushing on transmission cable broke. have to buy the entire cable ($240), plastic bushing is not available to purchase by itself - but the cable is not broken, only the plastic bushing. saturn doesn't even have a part number for that part. found information on the internet where other saturn owners had the same problem, so it is apparently a common occurrence. reference website: http://www.coolgoose.com/sites/flemco/car/car.html for a detailed description of this saturn owner's experience (same as mine, except my transmission was stuck in first gear). i may also be posting my incident on the internet to my blog, so as to warn people who are looking to purchase a saturn. *ak
SEATS
06/01/2002		1
	The driver side seat lock will not stay in place in order to lock the seat down. the dealership is aware of the problem.*jb
SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER
05/21/2001		1	10/01/2000
	Freeway traffic suddenly came to a stop. i stopped but was rear ended by a vehicle traveling at approximately 25 mph and pushed into car in front of me. drivers seat back collapsed. i sustained minor back, hip, bruised stomach muscles and knee injuries that i feel would have been avoided or much less severe had the seat back held. i'm having a problem comprehending gms contention that the seat back yielding is a desirable response to this or any situation (and the fact that their product adheres to all relevant standards, etc).*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
03/12/2001	8715	4	10/01/2000
	Defective brake rotors on 2001 saturn sl. mr front brake pads and rotors had to be replaced 4 times. intermittently vehicle bucked and stalled at idle. dealer was unable to duplicate concern on road test. radio light inoperative. radio assembly replaced. tt *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
06/26/2003	55153	5	10/09/2000
	The vehicle brake rotor warp several times which caused vibration while braking. the dealer replaced the rotors. when the vehicle was moved from a stop the vehicle jerked forward. the vehicle also acts as if it want to stall when sitting idle. the dealer was unable to duplicate either concern. the radio light was inoperative therefore the dealer replaced the radio. ak cb *nlm
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
03/01/2003		0	04/01/2001
	Front brake rotors have had to be turned two or three times and vehicle only has 33k miles on it. dealer is aware and has so far covered under warranty.
04/15/2002
	Vehicle would vibrate severely when brakes are applied. vehicle been to the dealer on four occasions, but problem reoccurring. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
		3	03/01/2001
	When applying brakes vehicle will shutter and vibrate. rotors are prematurely warping. took to dealer to replace brake pads and rotors but problem still exists.ak dealer replaced and turned rotors once, stating there was no mechanical problem found. jg
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
10/15/2002			10/01/2001
	No summary. dt
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
08/01/2001
	While driving at any speed vehicle shimmies. took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that the brake drums needed changing. please provide any further information.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
10/15/2002			10/01/2001
	No summary. dt
10/22/2002		1	10/01/2001
	I have not even owned this vehicle for one full year and it has cost me $700.00 in less than 2 weeks. dt
TIRES
10/15/2002			10/01/2001
	No summary. dt
VISIBILITY - WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
12/05/2000		2	09/01/2000
	It is very hard to see due to the windshield wiper's.ak consumer states that the dealer change the blades and installed new wiper arms but the problem still exist. yh

Car dealers selling

State	City	Zip	Name	Phone
AL	BIRMINGHAM	35216	SATURN OF BIRMINGHAM	2059784123
CA	PALMDALE	93550	SATURN OF THE ANTELOPE VALLEY
CT	WALLINGFORD	06492	CERRITOS
PA	HARRISBURG	17104	SATURN OF HARRISBURG
PA	MECHANICSBURG	17055	SATURN OF CARLISLE PIKE	717-796-1111
PA	WEST CHESTER	19380	SATURN OF WEST CHESTER
TX	SAN ANTONIO	78238	SATURN OF SAN ANTONIO	(800) 728-8766