IllustrationTHIS VEHICLE ([XXX])LOSES OIL 1 QUART PER 700 MILES! *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
1997 Saturn Sl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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: 38 of 227 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
29 crash reports9 fire reports23 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
38 reportsPOSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW IS CAUSING THE STEEL TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. NLM
THE SERPENTINE BELT BECAME LOOSE AND THE AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER FELL APART CAUSING ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP AND POWER STEERING INOPERABLE. YH
SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER KEPT TENSION ON THE BELT FELLED. LATER, ALTERNATER CAME ON, AND THEN CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. IF CONSUMER WAS TO LOSE IT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAYS BELT WAS VERY POORLY DESIGNED. *AK
LEAK DISCOVERED WHEN GETTING OIL CHANGED. TOOK IT TO DEALER, ADVISED NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, REPLACED SHIFT GEAR.. 5 MONTHS LATER LEAKS AGAIN. *AK
DEFECTIVE FAN BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ABS WHILE MAKING U-TURN. *AK
PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, NOT RELEASING PROPERLY.
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER. HAVE TO PUT THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO COAST OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND HAS HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED 6 TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED SINCE HAVING FIXED. *AK *YH
Official recalls
297V155000 · Seats
Sep 12, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT COLD WELDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE TUNNEL AREA OF THE FLOOR PAN. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.