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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 →
178Owner complaints

Model-year median: 171.5

1Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
287
1996227
1997168
1998178
1999148
2000111
2001131
2002
Compare all Sl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
45Service Brakes, Hydraulic
28Power Train
22Air Bags
20Electrical System
20
All reported categories
Seat Belts
12Tires
12Seats
8Suspension
8Steering
7Vehicle Speed Control
7Visibility
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Parking Brake
4Unknown Or Other
4Structure
3Engine
2Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Air
2Equipment
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

2 reports
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115,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

1999 SATURN SL PLASTIC GROMMET CONNECTION BETWEEN SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. JUST BROKE. APPARENTLY ENGINEERED WITH A MIND FOR OBSOLESCENCE RATHER THAN SAFETY OR DURABILITY. ENABLING A HIGH REPAIR COST FOR A 50 CENT BUSHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. CHEAP FIX (TIME AND PART WISE) FOR CAR…

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1999 SATURN SL PLASTIC GROMMET CONNECTION BETWEEN SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. JUST BROKE. APPARENTLY ENGINEERED WITH A MIND FOR OBSOLESCENCE RATHER THAN SAFETY OR DURABILITY. ENABLING A HIGH REPAIR COST FOR A 50 CENT BUSHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. CHEAP FIX (TIME AND PART WISE) FOR CAR MANUFACTURER IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONVENIENTLY COSTLY FOR OWNER WHEN CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302322

108,000 miles · Aug 4, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

DT: PRIOR TO FAILURE THE REAR DOOR HANDLE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, AND THE WINDOW HAD A MOTOR PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DOOR POPPED OPEN.CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR, AND CONSUMER STOPPED IMMEDIATELY, TOOK IT TO GET REPAIRED. THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS BEING BROKEN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10131576

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.