Saturn LW300: problems, complaints, bulletins

Summary for the Saturn LW300 across 2 model years: 3 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.

Model years

Year	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)	YouTube repair videos
9999	2	0	0	0
2003	1	0	0	0

What fails most often

1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
2 Engine 33% of all complaints
3 Steering 33% of all complaints
4 Suspension 33% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Electrical system: 2 complaints (67% of all).
Engine: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Steering: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Suspension: 1 complaints (33% 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 2004
3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2001–2005
automatic, 4-speed 2001–2005

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

vibration1 · 33%
stalls while driving1 · 33%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash	Technical service bulletins (TSB)
Electrical system	2	0	0
Engine	1	0	0
Steering	1	0	0
Suspension	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.

While driving engine stalled causing steering to lock preventing turns, and not allowing acceleration
Electrical system · 2003 · 2024-01-05 · NHTSA complaint #11563828
The horn can not be easily identified and excessive force must be used to get the horn to operate. (saturn lw300 2003)
Electrical system · 9999 · 2003-09-04 · NHTSA complaint #10038190
Vehicle always pulls to the right and steering wheel shakes,at any speed/ gets worse at higher speed.dealer replaced tires and did alignment. Did not remedy problem.
Suspension · 9999 · 2001-11-14 · NHTSA complaint #899084

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20011
20031
20241

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.

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.