2001 Saturn SW

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Fuel System

Fuel System leads by volume: 2 of 6 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Transmission & Drivetrain include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 15 in 2000 to 6 in 2001.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category199920002001vs. 2001 Small Station Wagons
Annual fuel cost ($)2,250–2,4002,300–2,4002,300–2,400
Combined MPG26–2826–2726–27
City / Highway MPG22–24 / 32–3422–23 / 32–3422–23 / 32–34
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)317–342329–342329–342
Complaints filed16156Not compared
Recalls issued172Not compared
Crash-involved complaints421Not compared
Fire-involved complaints010Not compared
Injuries reported321Not compared
Deaths reported100Not compared
Configurations compared433

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Saturn SW have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2001 Saturn SW?

Fuel System: 2 of 6 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Saturn SW get?

EPA rates it 26–27 MPG combined across 3 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2001 Saturn SW?

EPA estimates $2,300–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd41.9LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons23 mpg (high)32 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)$2,400 (high)342 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd41.9LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons22 mpg (low)32 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)$2,400 (high)342 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 5-spd41.9LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Station Wagons23 mpg (high)34 mpg (high)27 mpg (high)$2,300 (low)329 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine10000
Transmission & Drivetrain11010
Fuel System20000
Electrical10000
Brakes00000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints10000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches00000
Visibility & Lighting00000
Other00000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 00V309000 · Oct 24, 2000

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

    Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · Campaign 00V310000 · Oct 24, 2000

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

    Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

    Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.