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Saturn LS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 303 owner complaints on the Saturn LS from 80 production runs; the worst run has 16, the typical one 3.8.

NHTSA complaint records · 303 complaints · 80 runs · 2000–2000 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported LS run is 1G8JU52F6YY (2000 builds) with 16 complaints, 4.2× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 37% of reports; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for LS model years 2000–2000.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn LS has 80 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every LS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Saturn LS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1G8JU52F6YY••••••200016——
1G8JU52F3YY••••••200015—1
1G8JU52F8YY••••••200015——
1G8JU52F7YY••••••200014——
1G8JU52F5YY••••••200013——
1G8JU52F9YY••••••200012——
1G8JU52F0YY••••••200010—1
1G8JU52F2YY••••••200010—1
1G8JW52R4YY••••••20009——
1G8JW52R6YY••••••200081—
1G8JW52RXYY••••••200081—
1G8JW52R0YY••••••20008——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 68 LS runs has 8 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.

FIG.02·Saturn LS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20003.8303808
ROWS 1·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2000 at 3.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2000 at 3.8.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 37% of everything Saturn LS owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 114 of 303 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Saturn LS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Engine And Engine Cooling114—1
Electrical System44—2
Exterior Lighting4311
Steering28——
Suspension21——
Service Brakes201—
Power Train19——
Structure181—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Saturn LS; the 6 below cover build years 2000 to 2000. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Saturn LS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
05V245000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights2000
99V345000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage2000
00V228003Seat Belts2000
03V231000Electrical System:ignition:module2000
99V199000Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch2000
99V197000Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly2000
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

05V245000 was opened in 2005 on cars built from 2000: 5 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 303 reports on the Saturn LS, 2.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Saturn LS — complaint severity
OutcomeSaturn LSAll vehicles
Complaints filed3031,115,966
Involved a crash8 (2.6%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire5 (1.7%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1558,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 55% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn LS share of that is 303 complaints over 80 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.

Everything on the Saturn LS
Recalls6 campaignsFuel economy24 mpg bestReliability3.5/5Common problems416 complaintsCargo space18 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2000–2000

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Saturn LS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 303 NHTSA complaints from 80 LS runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which LS production run has the most complaints?

1G8JU52F6YY, a 2000 build, with 16 complaints. The typical LS run has 3.8.

How many LS complaints involve a crash?

2.6% of 303 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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