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1998 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 38 of 168 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

23 crash reports2 fire reports19 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

5 reports
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180,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386884

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL FAILED. *YC

NHTSA ODI #607541

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1998
Exterior Lighting

DESIGN OF THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE TURN SIGNAL DIAL ALLOWING FOR ACCIDENTAL DISENGAGMENT WHILE ENGAGING THE TURN SIGNAL.

NHTSA ODI #542291

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

FRONT END MISALIGNED, RESULTING IN PULLING.

NHTSA ODI #536547

Mileage unknown · May 29, 1998
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

UPON APPLYING STEADY PRESSURE THE BRAKES RELEASE A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER INITIAL APPLICATION.

NHTSA ODI #536002

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.