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1996 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

About this comparison →

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
150,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL1. WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING TIGHTENS. WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS, THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. THE GEARS FELL APART INTERNALLY. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL1. WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING TIGHTENS. WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS, THE STEERING BECOMES LOOSE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS VERY UNSAFE. THE GEARS FELL APART INTERNALLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE CHEAPER PARTS WHEN HE DISCOVERED A RECALL RELATED TO HIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO SATURN VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229018

85,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL1. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN ACTIVATES WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND IS WAITING FOR AN INSPECTION. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL1. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HORN ACTIVATES WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD OCCUR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND IS WAITING FOR AN INSPECTION. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229014

63,000 miles · Apr 14, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ON THE GROUND AND ALL OVER THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEPT FLUCTUATING INTO THE RED ZONE. THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ON THE GROUND AND ALL OVER THE COOLING SYSTEM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEPT FLUCTUATING INTO THE RED ZONE. THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $2,257. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SPECIAL POLICY LETTER FROM SATURN IN JUNE OF 1999 CONCERNING A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THE LETTER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN AND IT WAS UNNECESSARY TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/06/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10224402

120,000 miles · Mar 19, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. ON MARCH 16, 2008, THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS DISCONNECTED TO STOP THE HORN FROM BLOWING. THE NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO THE VIN; HOWEVER, THEY LATER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE RECALL. AN INDEPE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. ON MARCH 16, 2008, THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW WITHOUT WARNING. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS DISCONNECTED TO STOP THE HORN FROM BLOWING. THE NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER STATED THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO THE VIN; HOWEVER, THEY LATER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE RECALL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE HORN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR IN THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VIN, RECALL NUMBER, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10221730

148,000 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SET AT DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,0…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SET AT DIFFERENT SPECIFICATIONS, WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #10202406

150,000 miles · Aug 3, 2007
SteeringCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS BEFORE THE CRASH WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART, MANUFACTURED BY TRW AUTOMOTIVE (PART NUMBER ES32…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS BEFORE THE CRASH WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART, MANUFACTURED BY TRW AUTOMOTIVE (PART NUMBER ES3238). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TIE ROD END. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BETWEEN THE BALL AND SOCKET STEERING ABILITY WAS COMPLETELY LOST. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198381

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM LOSING A LOT OF OIL. I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC HE STATED THAT A LOT OF TIMES IT IS THE VALVE COVER GASKET, SO HE CHANGED IT. THE CAR IS STILL LOSING A LOT OF OIL. ABOUT A QUART EVERY 400 MILES. I STARTED RESEARCHING ON MY OWN AND HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL SATURN OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197712

50,000 miles · Mar 13, 2007
Electrical System

1996 SATURN SL2. HORN TURNS ON BY ITSELF AND WON'T TURN OFF, HAD TO UNPLUG IT. HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAD THE HORN SHORT OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE. I'VE ALMOST BEEN RUN OFF THE ROAD A FEW TIMES BECAUSE I COULDN'T HONK THE HORN WHEN SOMEONE WAS CHANGING LANES AND DIDN'T …

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1996 SATURN SL2. HORN TURNS ON BY ITSELF AND WON'T TURN OFF, HAD TO UNPLUG IT. HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAD THE HORN SHORT OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE. I'VE ALMOST BEEN RUN OFF THE ROAD A FEW TIMES BECAUSE I COULDN'T HONK THE HORN WHEN SOMEONE WAS CHANGING LANES AND DIDN'T SEE ME. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS. MANY PEOPLE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR HORN MORE THAN 3 TIMES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184921

125,000 miles · Jan 8, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

1. HIGH REVVING ON IDLE MANUAL TRANS 2. FRONT END NOISE MANUAL TRANS P/S SIMILAR TO OTHER RECALL WORN OUT ? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10178114

52,000 miles · Dec 29, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury

TL* - THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE BRAKES ON 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH GAVE NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE BEING CUT OFF THE BRAKES DID WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT …

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TL* - THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE BRAKES ON 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH GAVE NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE BEING CUT OFF THE BRAKES DID WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 5, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS A NICE DAY, AND THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT PULLED MUSCLES IN HER BODY, AND WAS CURRENTLY ON MUSCLE RELAXANTS. THE CONTACT ASKED THE SATURN DEALER FOR THE DAMAGED PARTS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE THROWN AWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES PULSATING AND GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HAD BRAKE WORK DONE IN 2001 AT 36,000 MILES, THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY THE RHODE ISLAND STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10177314

Official recalls

1

97V138000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)

Aug 29, 1997

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.