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
What owners actually said
227 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
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 …
Read full complaint
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
NHTSA ODI #850779
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Unknown Or Other
FABRIC ON INSTRUMENT PANEL NEXT TO SPEAKERS BURNED OUT. LEFT CAR PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND BACK DECK PANEL BURNED RIGHT THROUGH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER IS DOING SOMETHING TO CAUSE THE FABRIC TO BURN. CONSUMER STATES SUN IS BURNING THE FABRIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850565
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF HOLDER. THIS OCCURED WHILE ON VACATION DEALER AT MY VACATION LOCATION CHARGED FOR REPAIR I FELT SHOUD HAVE BEEN DONE FREE.
NHTSA ODI #712658
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1999
Air BagsCrash
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #849566
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Equipment
AFTER TURNING VEHICLE ON HAD HEARD A FUNNY NOISE. HAD A TUNE UP DONE ON VEHICLE. THIS NOISE PERSISTED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD GONE OUT. AIR CONDITIONER WOULD EVENTUALLY FREEZE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848191
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Air BagsPower Train
DURING MINOR IMPACT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED VIOLENTLY CAUSING FACIAL INJURY AND JAW PAIN TO PASSENGER. NLM
NHTSA ODI #548632
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
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
NHTSA ODI #847508
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Electrical SystemPower Train
TRANSMISSION--BUSHING WENT OUT. SPARK MISFIRE--COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER.
NHTSA ODI #609776
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Seats
THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD AFTER A SUDDEN STOP.
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.
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.
1997 Saturn Sl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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