Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 49 of 287 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
50 crash reports2 fire reports34 injury reports
What owners actually said
287 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2001
SeatsCrashInjury
WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED US. OUR 22-MONTH OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE REAR, BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS HIT, THE SEAT LATCH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RELEASED. THE SEAT FULLY RECLINED, STRIKING OUR SON IN THE FACE. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS FACE AS A …
Read full complaint
WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED US. OUR 22-MONTH OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE REAR, BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS HIT, THE SEAT LATCH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RELEASED. THE SEAT FULLY RECLINED, STRIKING OUR SON IN THE FACE. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS FACE AS A RESULT. IF THE SEAT LATCH HAD NOT RELEASED, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED DURING THE CRASH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #755113
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
LOSS OF COOLANT DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #899676
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754329
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Electrical System
VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY IN A COOL DAMP SPOT. HORN STARTED TO BLOW ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE OUT FUSE TO STOP HORN FROM BLOWING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS A SHORT IN HORN THAT COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #897531
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2001
Tires
RIGHT FRONT TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED DURING A 40MPH TURN ON A PAVED MOUNTAIN ROAD, TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 101F. TIRES WERE NOT UNDER INFLATED, THEY WERE ROTATED THE DAY BEFORE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #9004403
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Suspension
FEDERAL-MOGUL BEARING MANUFACTURE #512000 WAS REPLACED IN AUGUST OF 2000, BROKE WHILE DRIVING , THE WHEEL CAME OFF . I WAS LUCKY I WAS GOING SLOW AROUND A SHARP CURVE, AND THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE ROLLING WHEEL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747227
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2001
Electrical System
HORN ASSEMBLY FAILED IN SAME MANNER AS RECALL, SATURN CLAIMS THIS VEHICLE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745423
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THE VEHICLE WAS IN TOW WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED, THERE WERE NO INJURIES (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA ODI #561142
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2001
Seats
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AT 15 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CONSUMER REALIZED IT WAS BROKEN WHEN IT WOULD NOT ADJUST PROPERLY, SATURN SAID THE SEAT WAS UP TO STANDARD. *MJS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL STEERING. THE PINION BEARING CAGE IN THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE UNDER HIGH STEERING SYSTEM LOAD CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKING LOT OR SIMILAR LOW SPEED MANEUVERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Saturn Sl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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