IllustrationVEHICLE COLLISION RESULTING IN TURNOVER AND FIRE.
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
What owners actually said
227 reportsBOTH BUCKET SEATS WENT TO A FULL RECLINING POSITION WHEN VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED.
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
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
HORN FAILED. QCAW
WHEN TRAVELING 35 MPH AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE DUE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHICH WENT OUT AND NEEDED REPLACING. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
BRAKES FAILED SEVERAL TIMES RESULTING IN DAMAGES TO VEHICLE.
WHEN CLOSING THE BACK DOORS, THE HANDLES STICK WHICH CAUSES THE DOORS NOT TO LATCH. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE DOORS HAVE COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL BE SEEN BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
SEAT BELT LOCK. BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED.
FRONT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY BECAUSE REAR BRAKES WON'T ADJUST.
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.