AI DamageSaturn LW200: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn LW200 across 4 model years: 21 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 57% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 10% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 12 complaints (57% of all).
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (24% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2001–2003named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2001–2003
- manual, 5-speed 2001–2003
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Airbag light came on for no reason, and when the consumer was involved in an accident, the airbag light didn't come on and the airbags never deployed. The vehicle was totaled.
driving at 35 mph when engine stopped running and failed to restart. inspection determined timing chain had failed due to failure to keep tension. the timing chain tensioner on Ecotech 2.2 engines from 2000-2004 had tensioners which failed to keep the chain taught which lead to GM redesigning the tensioner.
Vehicle exhibits a constant, strong gasoline smell originating from rear outside area with no engine code and no lack of drivability.
Crankshaft sensor cause car to shut off while driving and stall I had sensor replace it occur again
Recall 03033/03-c-06 ignition control module was never serviced. Owned by a 88 year old lady. Must some kind of a repair scam in la.
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 owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.