IllustrationHORN WAS SOUNDING WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HORN, UNDER THE HOOD. UNPLUGGED THE HORN. SAME PROBLEM AS SEEN IN RECALL 98V307000. *TR
1997 Saturn Z
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Z years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 1 of 1 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsOfficial recalls
298V307000 · Electrical System:horn
Dec 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED OR SERVICED WITH A HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD FAIL. THE HORN COULD EITHER BECOME INOPERABLE OR ACTIVATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HORN ASSEMBLY.
97V055000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Apr 8, 1997
IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CYLINDER IS IN THE RUN POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE IGNITION KEY MUST BE REINSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION CYLINDER RE-CODED. OWNERS CAN PERFORM THIS FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES IF THEY SO DESIRE.
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.