2001 Saturn LS transmission problems

The 2001 Saturn LS has 31 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Transmission complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

LS transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

00V344000TransmissionOctober 30, 2000 · 1,637 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE CLIP MISSING OR IMPROPERLY SEATED. WITHOUT THE CLIP, THE CABLE CAN SLIP OUT OF ITS BRACKET AND THE TRANSAXLE LEVER WOULD NOT MOVE ALONG WITH THE SHIFT LEVER. THE DRIVER MAY PUT THE SHIFT LEVER IN PARK, BUT THE TRANSAXLE MAY BE IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSAXLE SHIFT CABLE RETAINER CLIP TO VERIFY PROPER INSTALLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CLIP AND ADJUST THE CABLE TO SPECIFICATIONS.

What owners report

“ON MARCH 17, 2006, MY WIFE AND I RETURNED HOME FROM SUPPER AROUND 8:45 PM. AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 PM, I HEARD A CRASH OUTSIDE. I SOON DISCOVERED THAT OUR SATURN HAD ROLLED OUT OF THE GARAGE AND INTO OUR NEIGHBORS YARD ACROSS THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION INSIDE THE CAR, I DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS NOT IN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 17, 2006 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2001 Saturn LS have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2001 Saturn LS transmission — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Saturn LS transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V344000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.