Saturn LS Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Saturn LS? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Saturn LS — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Good | — | 47 | 2 | 5 | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2003 | Caution | 1 | 133 | 14 | 8 | 1 | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2002 | Avoid | 1 | 306 | 7 | 2 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 2001Worst | Avoid | 2 | 366 | 13 | 11 | 9 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 2000 | Avoid | 1 | 287 | 8 | 15 | — | Engine And Engine Cooling | Full report → |
| 1999Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
6 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Saturn LS Problems
Based on 1,139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
LS Years to Avoid
Best LS Years to Buy
Years with fewest complaints and recalls.
Saturn LS Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Saturn LS Reliability
What year LS has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2001 Saturn LS had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 366 complaints and 2 safety recalls. See the full 2001 report for specific defects.
Is the Saturn LS reliable?
The Saturn LS has accumulated 1,139 owner-filed complaints and 5 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 10 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 1999 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used LS.
What are the most common LS problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine And Engine Cooling (357 reports), Electrical System (179 reports), Exterior Lighting (111 reports), Steering (54 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my LS has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Saturn LS VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Saturn LS VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily