Summary
The Saturn LW has 5 recalls covering the 2000–2002 model years, with the most serious being a transmission shift cable defect on 2001 models where the transaxle may remain in Reverse or Neutral even though the shift lever reads Park, allowing the vehicle to roll away without warning.
The 2000 model year carries three recalls. In a frontal collision, an over-pressure relief valve in the fuel tank can stick open, and if the vehicle rolls over, fuel spills out and can ignite if there is an ignition source nearby. On the seat belt side, rear seat belt buckles on some 2000 models may not hold under the forces of a crash, releasing the buckle and leaving a rear occupant unrestrained. There is also a rear tail lamp housing that can warp when the brake lights stay on for an extended period, causing intermittent brake light failure or a short circuit that knocks out all brake and tail lights, including the center high-mounted stop lamp. On 2002 models, the right and center rear seat belt floor anchors can pull free from the floor in a crash before reaching the force needed to restrain the occupant.
