IllustrationERRATIC PROBLEM WITH BRAKE GRINDING / SQUEAKING WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER SHOP THREE TIMES, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, AND THAT WAS NORMAL. CONSUMER KNEW THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOKINTO THIS MATTER AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
23 reportsONGOING PROBEM WITH TRANSMISSION NOT CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY ON ANY SPEED, AND SLOW RESPONDING FROM A STOP POSITION/TAKE OFF, HESITATION. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO THE FLOOR BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS …
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ONGOING PROBEM WITH TRANSMISSION NOT CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY ON ANY SPEED, AND SLOW RESPONDING FROM A STOP POSITION/TAKE OFF, HESITATION. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO THE FLOOR BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE, AND WILL BE TRADING IT IN WITHIN A FEW MONT ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE PASSING IT ON . *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE W/EMERGENCY BRAKES ON OF HAD NO KNOWLEDGE. WAS COMING OFF FREEWAY & WAS APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. STARTED TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER & FOUND BACK BRAKES BURNT OUT. ORGINIAL BRAKES CHECKED & WAS NOT BURNT OUT. OWNER HAS BRAKE PARTS. *AK
DEFECTIVE FAN BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ABS WHILE MAKING U-TURN. *AK
COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE, CREATING UNSTABLE CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO RADICAL VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER SOLUTION AND MANUFACTURER'S "BAND-AID" SOLUTION - CHANGING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WITH INFERIOR PARTS THAT CONTINUE TO FAIL (4 TIMES FRONT, 2 TIMES REAR; MOST RECENT - FRONT ROTORS CUT). MANUFACTURER'S…
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COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE, CREATING UNSTABLE CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO RADICAL VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER SOLUTION AND MANUFACTURER'S "BAND-AID" SOLUTION - CHANGING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WITH INFERIOR PARTS THAT CONTINUE TO FAIL (4 TIMES FRONT, 2 TIMES REAR; MOST RECENT - FRONT ROTORS CUT). MANUFACTURER'S EXPLANATION OF FAILURE ON 2 OCCASIONS: CAR IS NOT SUITABLE FOR NORTHEAST, CAR IS USED FOR LONG TRIPS TOO OFTEN (84 MILE ROUND-TRIP COMMUTE), AND DRIVER USING BRAKES TOO MUCH, CAUSING THE FAILURE IN MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT. SUMMARY: FEAR OF LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO SOFT BRAKING SYSTEM/NO BRAKES, INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO RADICAL PULSATION IN STEERING SYSTEM WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE, & FINANCIAL BURDEN ONCE BRAKES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
BRAKES CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCE NOISE AND REQUIRE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO ENGAGE.
WHILE DRIVING ALONG ON A DAMP DRAWBRIDGE, PROCEEDED TO PUT ON BRAKES THEN THE CAR PLOWED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT BETWEEN 50 TO 60 FEET STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN DAMAGES TO VEHICLE.
FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY BECAUSE REAR BRAKES WON'T ADJUST.
PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED, NOT RELEASING PROPERLY.
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.