Saturn LS Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year LS should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2001 Saturn LS has the most documented problems with a problem score of 439 — driven by 2 recalls, 366 complaints, and 9 reported deaths.

Q: What is the best year LS to buy?

The 2004 Saturn LS is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 57, meaning 0 recalls and 47 complaints on record.

Q: Which LS has the fewest problems?

The 2004, 2003 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Saturn LS model year (1999–2004) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

1139

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Saturn LS Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2001

2 recalls · 366 complaints

11 reported injuries

9 reported deaths

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Problem score: 439

#2 WORST

2000

1 recall · 287 complaints

15 reported injuries

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Problem score: 320

#3 WORST

2002

1 recall · 306 complaints

2 reported injuries

Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Problem score: 313

Best Saturn LS Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2004

0 recalls · 47 complaints

Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Problem score: 57

#2 BEST

2003

1 recall · 133 complaints

Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Problem score: 157

Found the right year? Verify that specific LS with a free VIN report.

Saturn LS — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2004	0	47	5	—	57	Good
2003	1	133	8	1	157	Caution
2002	1	306	2	—	313	Avoid
2001	2	366	11	9	439	Avoid
2000	1	287	15	—	320	Avoid
1999	0	0	—	—	0	Excellent

All 6 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Saturn LS Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older LS models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year LS should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2001 Saturn LS if possible. It has 2 recalls, 366 owner complaints, and 9 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 439 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year LS to buy?+

The 2004 Saturn LS is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 57. It has only 0 recalls and 47 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which LS has the fewest problems?+

The 2004, 2003 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Saturn LS Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Saturn LS.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Saturn LS.

Check a Specific Saturn LS VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →