29 of the 222 complaints about the 1998 Saturn SL are about the engine — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 65,000 miles.
29
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL!
NHTSA complaint #10651527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1998 SATURN SL2 MUFFLER BROKE OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0070-91.
NHTSA complaint #10218373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 181,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10189796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED, THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW AND THICKENED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND MIXED INTO THE OIL DUE TO THE GASKET BREAKING DOWN FROM CONTACT WITH THE COOLANT. THE OIL MIXED WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10173936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CAM SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE IDLE CONTROL WAS ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10001275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD ON 1998 SL1 SATURN WITH 70,000 MILES. CAR WAS LOOSING COOLANT. COST $2,000 IN LABOR TO REPAIR, PROBLEM SEEMS TO APPEAR WITH OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINING AS WELL. MANUFACTURER SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT AND REIMBURSE FOR COST OF REAPIR.
NHTSA complaint #10102855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME SATURDAY NIGHT, WENT TO DRIVE IT SUNDAY AND IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO SENT IT TO SATURN WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A BLOWN MOTOR (THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT,AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY).
NHTSA complaint #10073291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
SATURN SL2 1998 - CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10058414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FOR THE PAST 2-3 YEARS I HAVE HAD A MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH MY SATURN SL2 '98. I BROUGHT IT TO TWO SATURN DEALERSHIPS WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD NO LEAK NOR WAS MY CAR BURNING OIL, IN ESSENCE THAT I WAS IMAGINING THIS PROBLEM. IN JULY OF 2003, THE PROBLEM HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I WAS ADDING OIL EVERY 100 MILES, THEN THE CAR BROKE DOWN AND I BROUGHT IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIMING BELT/GASKET AND I REPLACED THEM ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION THAT IT WOULD FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS - COST $1000. THE CAR CONTINUES TO CONSUME MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND REGULARLY EXHIBITS A BURNING SMELL. I BROUGHT IT TO A SATURN DEALER LAST WEEK WHO NOW TELLS ME THAT THE CAM COVER IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, HE TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY INDEED HAVE SIGNIFICANT ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF MY MANY OIL PROBLEMS THAT THIS REPAIR WILL NOT FIX. I HAVE WORKED MY WAY UP THE SATURN CORPORATE COMPLAINT SYSTEM AND I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO EITHER PAY FOR THE REPAIR, REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIR OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNDERLYING ENGINE PROBLEM. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A JUST ME GETTING A "LEMON" BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM MY CONCERN IS MUCH MUCH GREATER. SPECIFICALLY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS (WELL OVER 100) COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET CITES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM - EVERYONE HAS MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND MANY PEOPLE'S ENGINES HAVE ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF LOW OIL. THEY HAVE ALSO TRIED TO GET SATURN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES AND TO NO AVAIL. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF IT CATCHING ON FIRE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEMS WITH SATURN ENGINES AND OIL CONSUMPTION. I AM AN ATTORNEY AND PLAN TO PURSUE MY OWN CASE AGAINST SATURN FOR THE COST OF MY REPAIRS, BUT REALLY FEEL LIKE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT SATURN OR THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ISSUE A WARNING TO CONSUMERS TO KEEP CAREFUL WATCH ON THEIR ENGINES.
NHTSA complaint #10043370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, HOWEVER THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. *AK THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, MAINLY IN FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10033577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE MOTOR MOUNT FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE MOUNT PROBABLY MALFUNCTIONED PRIOR TO 52184 MILES. THE MOUNTS FOR THE VIBRATION WAS FOUND ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE IN WHICH THE MOUNT(S) CRACKED. *SCC THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED BECAUSE A LEAK WAS FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10031340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ENGINE IS LEAKING OIL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10022594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MY 1998 SATURN (1.9)HAD OIL IN THE COOLANT. IT HAD A CRACK IN THE # 3 CAM JOURNAL. THE CAR ONLY HAD 72188 MILES. I HAD FOLLOWED ALL THEIR REGULAR SERVICE. I KNEW THAT THEY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD IN 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. BUT WAS TOLD THAT PROBLEM WAS FIXED. COST WAS $1990. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SATURN SL2 WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR 15,000 CHECK UP ON 3/17/, AS I WAS SELLING TO SON. CAR HAS APPROX. 15,690 MILES ON IT. SERVICE MGR. HOWARD GORMAN TOOK INFORMATION. MY HUSBAND TOLD HIM THE PLACE THAT CHANGES THE OIL SAID TO HAVE ANTI-FREEZE FLUSHED BECAUSE WE WERE LOSING ANTI-FREEZE AND WE COULD NOT SEE LEAK. MR. GORMAN AFTER CHECKING CAR AND CALLING US, PERFORMED CLOSE TO $500 WORTH OF REPAIRS ON CAR, INCLUDING ROTATING TIES ETC. HE THEN TOLD US THAT CAR MAY HAVE A HAIRLINE CRACK IN HEAD. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AT SATURN NORTH, 8600 NORTH HIGH ST., WORTINGTON, OHIO. I DRIVE CAR BACK AND FORTH TO WORK WHICK IS APPROX. 8 MILES ONE WAY. MR. GORMAN SUGGESTED THAT WE TAKE CAR HOME AND PUT SOME MILES ON THE CAR AS IT IS NOT DRIVEN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. IT STAY IN GARAGE AND IS NOT LEFT OUT IN WEATHER. HE PUT DIE IN THE ANTI-FREEZEE TO CHECK AND ASKED US TO BRING BACK IN A WEEK AND HE WOULD RECHECK. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK ON 3/31/03 AT THIS TIME MR. GORMAN TOLD US SPECIAL DIE CAME THROUGH THE HEAD ON #4 CYLINDER POSITION. AFTER TAXES IT WOULD COST US $3000 TO FIX. WE ARGUED AND COMPLAINED . THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD REDUCE THAT TO $2,268.35 BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILES. I THEN CALLED A CHRISTIE AT SATURN HEADQTRS. AFTER MR. GORMAN SUGGESTED WE DO THIS. SHE TOOK SEVERAL DAYS TO GET BACK TO US AND TODAY TOLD US SATURN WOULD DO NOTHING FOR US. I FEEL THAT FOR A HEAD TO HAVE A CRACK AT 15,000 MILES IS HORRIBLE AND WONDER HOW MANY OTHER CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN AND THE FIRST CAR I TRADED IN HAD ONLY 16,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS MY WORK CAR AND I DO NOT DRIVE GREAT DISTANCES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10013888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*JB PH
NHTSA complaint #10003992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRACKED CYL HEAD, OIL & COOLANT WERE MIXING TOGETHER.
NHTSA complaint #764982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #764412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I CHECK MY CAR WEEKLY. WITH NO WARNING OR TELL TALE SIGNS, I FOUND WATER IN THE CRANKCASE AND OIL IN THE RADIATOR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE CLAIMS I HAVE EITHER A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR A CRACKED ENGINE HEAD WITH ESTIMATED REPAIRS IN EXCESS OF $2, 000.00. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE CAR HAS A WARRANTY OF 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEARS AND I AM OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO TIME.
NHTSA complaint #759056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED IN ENGINE AFTER APPROX. 85000 MILES. ALL ENGINE OIL LEAKED FROM THE AUTOMOBILE AS A RESULT. ENGINE WAS COVERED WITH OIL UPON INSPECTION BUT LUCKILY, DID NOT IGNITE. NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW ENGINE AT A COST OF $2400 AS REPAIRS WOULD HAVE BEEN RISKY AND AT A HIGHER COST.
NHTSA complaint #756691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE LOOSES 30% OF POWER AT RANDOM TIMES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CAR OVERHEATED WITH NO WARNING AND SMOKE SPILLED OUT OF FRONT. COOLANT BURST OUT OF CONTAINER AND FLOODED CAR AND GROUND. TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE SENSOR BROKEN AND WIRES REMOVED BUT COULD NOT OFFER ANY EXPLANATION. CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND HAS NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH. THE ONLY PEOPLE WITH ACCESS TO ENGINE IS SATURN TECHNICIANS.
NHTSA complaint #743108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE EXPERIENCING KNOCKING PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #536547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #712656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE MADE ARE ALREADY LISTED ON YOUR LIST EXCEPT THE WINSHIELD FLUID PUMP. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN REGARDING THE RATTLING NOISE THEY COULDN'T HEAR SO THEY TOLD ME TOO BRING IT IN IF IT BECOMES MORE NOTICABLE.
NHTSA complaint #711558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VALVE REPLACED DUE TO FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #607285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE COOLANT OVERFLOW TANK CAP NOT TIGHT. YH
NHTSA complaint #606846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRACKED HEAD CYLINDER AT 16K MILES WITHOUT ANY UNUSUAL OR HARSH DRIVING. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. NO OIL WAS LEFT IN THE CAR -- IT WAS IN AN "UNDRIVEABLE" CONDITION. THE SERVICE DEPT WAS SHOCKED THIS HAPPENED ON A TWIN OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE & THUS DIDN'T EVEN STOCK THE PART TO FIX THE CAR. DEALER ALSO SAID THERE WAS NO ENGINE DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE SINCE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR SOME TIME WITHOUT REALIZING THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #707746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER AND EVENTUALLY STOPS, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #838586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND MAKE BUCKING SOUNDS FROM TIME TO TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR DIFFERENT PROBLEMS. ALSO, THERE IS A LACK OF POWER AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. TIDE ROD END HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER HAD POWER STEERING/ WINDOW PROBLEMS. REPAIRED VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP EIGHT MORE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #830210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.