IllustrationAT A DEAD STOP ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT FROM THE REAR, AND BOTH FRONT SEATBACKS COLLAPSED.CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
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
Seats complaints
17 reportsSEAT BACK FAILED IN REAR END COLLISION PASSENGER SEAT RECLINED INTO REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *AK
WE WERE HIT STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND REAR-ENDED BY SOMEONE GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. DURING THE ACCIDENT MY FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED AND BOTH MY FIANCE AND I SUFFERED FROM SORENESS AND NECK PAIN. EACH DAY WE ARE GETTING BETTER BUT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE SEATS COLLAPSED.
I WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR OF MY CAR WHICH CAUSED BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEATS TO SNAP TO A FULL RECLINE POSITION. AS A RESULT OF LAYING FLAT ON MY BACK I COULD NOT TAKE ANY EVASIVE ACTION. BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. I HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE BACK INJURIES.
BOTH BUCKET SEATS WENT TO A FULL RECLINING POSITION WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED.
IN A REAR END COLLISION THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK AND RESULTING IN INJURIES. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT ADJUSTER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED BOTH FRONT SEATS TO BREAK FROM THE FRAME. BOTH SEATS WENT BACK INTO THE REAR SEAT BECAUSE OF THE FRONT SEATS BROKE FROM THE FRAME. *AK
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.