10 of the 286 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL are about the steering — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 72,844 miles.
10
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10105021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
THERE IS ALOT OF PLAY IN STEERING, AND THERES AVERY LOUD POPING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #887089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #785360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
AS OF TODAY'S DATE, 7/12/00 THE SATURN AUTO IS WITH THE DEALER IN SANTA ANA, CA. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR MAKING A TURN AROUND A CORNER CONSUMER HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE OR SOMETHING LOOSE. TOOK TO DEALER , AND THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK.
NHTSA complaint #863333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
DEFECTIVE FAN BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ABS WHILE MAKING U-TURN.
NHTSA complaint #844630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #825655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING NOISE THEN PULLED VEHICLE IHNTO A PARKING LOT. CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING, AND STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONNECTION TO COLUMN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #813309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
TRAVELING ABOUT 5 MPH THERE WAS TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING, RESULTING IN STEERING LOCK UP DIAGNOSIS, THE RETAINING CLIP OMITTED DURING ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #812434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY APART WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #809623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.