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1999 Saturn Sl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Saturn Sl do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 171.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

73 reports with mileage · 105 unknown

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 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports1 fire reports17 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

20 reports
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118,000 miles · Jun 19, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I JUST RECEIVED A 1999 SATURN SL 2 SERIES A YEAR AGO FROM MY MOTHER FOR MY VERY FIRST CAR. I GOT IT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW CURRENTLY AT 122,446. I NOTICED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING, USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING, MY GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. I KEPT UP WITH JUST ABO…

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I JUST RECEIVED A 1999 SATURN SL 2 SERIES A YEAR AGO FROM MY MOTHER FOR MY VERY FIRST CAR. I GOT IT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW CURRENTLY AT 122,446. I NOTICED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING, USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING, MY GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. I KEPT UP WITH JUST ABOUT MONTHLY OIL CHANGES, ACCOMPANIED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF. MY TRANSMISSION OIL HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THEN, ABOUT 4 DAYS AGO I WENT TO LEAVE FROM MY WORK ORIENTATION, AND I COULDN?T BACK UP MY CAR FROM MY PARKING SPOT, THE REVERSE HAD WENT OUT. SO I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE, THEN BACK TO REVERSE THINKING MAYBE IT DIDN?T GO INTO REVERSE ALL THE WAY AND IT DID NOT WORK. I REVVED UP THE ENGINE, NOTHING HAPPENING UNTIL I DID IT PRETTY HARD, AND EVENTUALLY IT STARTED ROLLING BACK A LITTLE. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A PRETTY BIG ISSUE OR NOT, AND I REALIZE I SEE IT A LOT IN 1999 SATURNS. A RECALL I BELIEVE WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE AND WOULD FURTHER PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND IT?S CURRENTLY SITTING THERE NOW. I DON?T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO TELL ME. I BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SMALL PART THAT JUST NEEDS REPLACED, BUT I?M SURE THEY?RE GOING TO JUST HAVE ME PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS NOT WHAT I PREFER TO DO AS A 18 YEAR OLD COLLEGE STUDENT. ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR WAS ONLY 700$ THAT I PURCHASED IT FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329753

140,000 miles · Sep 21, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10766344

112,000 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering

THE LOCK ON THE STEERING COLUMN IS TOO LOOSE TO BE TURNED EFFECTIVELY ONLY SOMEONE WHO HAS DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A WHILE KNOWS HOW TO GET THE KEY TO TURN SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626736

225,000 miles · Aug 1, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ODI #10618240

140,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD DISOBEYED THE STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD DISOBEYED THE STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE THREE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10609952

75,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE A 1999 SATURN SL THAT I BOUGHT OFF A SATURN EMPLOYEE TWO MONTHS AGO; IT WAS MAKING A WHINING SOUND BUT SHE SAID THAT THE SOUND WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A NON STANDARD PART ON IT. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONCE OR TWICE AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK NOR START. I HAVE CHECKED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER-SOLENOID AND ALL WIRES AND…

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I HAVE A 1999 SATURN SL THAT I BOUGHT OFF A SATURN EMPLOYEE TWO MONTHS AGO; IT WAS MAKING A WHINING SOUND BUT SHE SAID THAT THE SOUND WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A NON STANDARD PART ON IT. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONCE OR TWICE AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK NOR START. I HAVE CHECKED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER-SOLENOID AND ALL WIRES AND CABLES. I HAVE ALSO CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE AND THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PARTS ABOVE NOR ANY THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO CRANK OR START. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT IN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281130

135,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V307000 (COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V307000 (COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10229351

76,500 miles · Jan 28, 2007
Electrical System

1999 SATURN SL2 77,500 MILES THIRD TIME FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10180909

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2006
Electrical System

I CALLED MR.AKINBUSOLA DESOLA AKINTOLA HARRISON ON 08/03/06 FOR '99 SATURN SL2 FOR SALE OVER CRAIGS LIST WEB-SITE DATE 08/02/06AD#189307708@CRAIGSLIST.ORG. WHEN MEETING HIM IN PERSON I ASKED HIM IF THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGES, ACCIDENTS OR PERHAPS TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR. HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITI…

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I CALLED MR.AKINBUSOLA DESOLA AKINTOLA HARRISON ON 08/03/06 FOR '99 SATURN SL2 FOR SALE OVER CRAIGS LIST WEB-SITE DATE 08/02/06AD#189307708@CRAIGSLIST.ORG. WHEN MEETING HIM IN PERSON I ASKED HIM IF THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGES, ACCIDENTS OR PERHAPS TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR. HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITIONS ITS A CLEAN CAR, NO ACCIDENTS, NO DENTS THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN I ASKED HIM TO BRING THE DMV PAPERWORK ALONG WITH REGISTRATION AND PINK SLIP HE ONLY BROUGHT THE DMV FORMS TO FILL OUT. THE SELLER LOST THE PINK SLIP, BUT WITH DMV FORM REG 227 YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A COPY. ONCE WE FINISHED WITH THE FORMS HE ASKED FOR THE PAYMENT TO BE IN CASH $2,500. AFTER THE TRANSACTION I DROVE HIM BACK TO HIS HOME. HE ADVISED ME TO CHANGE THE CARS BATTERY BECAUSE HE GOT THE WRONG ONE (A DIFFERENCE OF $30.00 ALREADY!) I HEADED BACK TO WORK & THIS CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE STILL DRIVING I PARKED IT OVER MY JOB'S PARKING LOT. I CHECKED THE REGISTRATION: WHICH WAS ISSUED ON 7/11/2006 PR/HIST: SALVAGE!!! HE MANAGED TO FOOL ME & MR.KHAN AS WELL! HE BROUGHT A PRINTED OUT SALES CONTRACT ALONG WITH THE DMV FORMS WHICH SEEMED FAIR. MR.AKINTOLA HARRISON KEPT THE VEHICLE'S REGISTRATION WITH HIM AT ALL TIMES UNTIL HE GOT THE PAPERS FILLED OUT, AND SIGNED AND THE $2,500.00 IN CASH. HE RELEASED THE CAR'S REGISTRATION PLACING IT IN BETWEEN OF ALL THE DVM DOCUMENTS. I CALLED HIM ON MONDAY 08/07/2006 UNTIL NOW ASKING HIM IN GOOD FAITH TO DO A FAIR EXCHANGE (THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVER WHERE I WORK SINCE I BOUGHT IT) IN A FRIENDLY MANNER I ASKED HIM TO GET MY MONEY BACK WITH NO HARD FEELINGS & WHEN CAN WE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? I DID CHANGED THE BATTERY AS REQUESTED (A $30.00 LOSS ON ME)MR. HARRISON CALLED MY WORK NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SPENT THE $2,500 ALREADY; INSTEAD I SHOULD BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR! PLEASE HELP ME WITH ADVICE IN HOW TO APPROACH THIS EVENT! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165133

75,000 miles · Mar 28, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

SATURN WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK AND WATER IN THE OIL. OVER HEATING REALLY BAD THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND NOT START UNTIL COOL, AND IT BOILS OVER IN THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK. OCTOBER '03 HAD HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, AND THE HEADS SENT OFF FOR SERVICE, ONE MONTH LATER, ITS BACK TO LEAKING OIL IN THE…

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SATURN WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK AND WATER IN THE OIL. OVER HEATING REALLY BAD THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND NOT START UNTIL COOL, AND IT BOILS OVER IN THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK. OCTOBER '03 HAD HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, AND THE HEADS SENT OFF FOR SERVICE, ONE MONTH LATER, ITS BACK TO LEAKING OIL IN THE COOLANT AND WATER IN THE OIL. OXYGEN SENSOR WENT OUT, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SO DID THE IGNITION MODULAR, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10064044

Official recalls

1

99V280000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Oct 20, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

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.