Two problems related to coolant leaking have been reported for the 2001 Saturn LS. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving on the interstate at 55 miles per hour, my car suddenly decreased speed to 20mph. My car continued to limit it's speed to 30mph for one hour. After an hour I was able to regain speed. I later took my car into a shop where they told me that my timing chain guide had rubbed up against a cylinder cause it to crack thus leaking coolant into the engine. My car has 102,000 and now requires a new engine. In 2007 I had all the cylinder head gaskets replaced and head bolt set replaced because my intake valves was leaking and the head the gaskets were all blown.
Oil cooler failure. Noticed orange colored "gunk" on ground under car following oil change. Seemed to be coming from coolant reservoir. Took car in for coolant flush. Was informed that there was oil in the coolant and that engine had major problems. Independent mechanic said that he would have to tear into engine to discover source. Found it to be a leaking oil cooler. Oil cooler was replaced along with all coolant hoses, thermostat, and coolant reservoir. Total was $2100 ($571 for oil cooler). Have all old parts. Saturn customer service acknowledges a TSB regarding oil cooler in the l81 engine but refuses to reimburse even for parts.