FaultScore

Saturn SL equipment problems

37 of the 2,891 complaints filed about the Saturn SL are about the equipment — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1995.

37

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

Equipment & Accessories complaints by model year

1992 SL 3 8.1%
1994 SL 4 10.8%
1995 SL 7 18.9%
1996 SL 7 18.9%

Median failure at 141,500 miles

1997 SL 7 18.9%
1998 SL 4 10.8%

Median failure at 62,280 miles

1999 SL 1 2.7%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2000 SL 2 5.4%
2001 SL 2 5.4%

Median failure at 31,934 miles

What owners said

1995 Saturn SL Aberdeen, WA

EQUIPMENT

INSTALLED MICROGARD FUEL FILTER ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 A MONTH AGO STARTED SMELLING GAS HAD IT LOOKED AT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE. THE HOLE IS IN THE BLACK PLASTIC, THIS PIPE ATTACHES TO THE ALUMINUM PIPE, BY THE TEST VALVE. I T RUBS ON THE EGR VALVE? (THIS FILTER HAS THE HOSE ATTACHED TO IT, ALL ONE UNIT.) THIS LEAK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MASSIVE FIRE BECAUSE IT ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND IS A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE ANOTHER MICRO GARD AND PUT A THICKER HOSE AROUND THE BLACK PIPE. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL.

NHTSA complaint #10578963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Saturn SL at 95,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SL2 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SHREDDED AND PULLED OUT THE INJECTION CIRCUIT SO FUEL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR THREE YEARS. ALSO, THE JACK DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 95000.

NHTSA complaint #10183068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Saturn SL at 155,000 miles Berkeley, CA

EQUIPMENT

THE FUEL LINE IN THIS CAR IS EXPOSED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, AND TWICE NOW (ON 11/3/05 AND EARLIER IN 12/2003) THE FUEL LINE HAS RIPPED AND GASOLINE HAS SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. THE GASOLINE SPILL OBVIOUSLY CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA complaint #10141773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Saturn SL at 128,000 miles Welsh, LA

EQUIPMENT

I OWN A 1996 SATURN SL1 THAT I PURCHASED USED IN DECEMBER OF 2000. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HORN SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT SERVICED TWICE AND THE HORN IS BROKEN FOR A THIRD TIME. I REPLACED A FUSE IN SPRING 2001, BECAUSE IT WENT OUT. IN DECEMBER OF 2002 THE HORN WENT OUT AGAIN, SO IN MAY OF 2003 HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE ENTIRE HORN ASSEMBLY. THIS LASTED UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2003 WHEN MY HORN STARTED GOING OFF WILDLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, CAUSING THE LOCAL POLICE TO RESPOND AND GIVE ME A WARNING FOR A NOISE VIOLATION. IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA I AM REQUIRED TO HAVE AN OPERATIONAL HORN TO GET MY VEHICLE INSPECTED, WHICH IS CURRENTLY COSTING ME AN $66/YEAR IN REPLACEMENT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR PARTS TO FIX MY HORN AGAIN, WHEN I CAME ACROSS A RECALL NHTSA: 98V-307, GM RECALL: 98C301. THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THE SW MODELS OF THE 1996 SATURN LINE. WHY DOES THIS ONLY APPLY TO THIS MODEL? THE EQUIPMENT AND THE CONFIGURATION ARE ALMOST IDENTICAL, AND YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SPECIFIC COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #10088124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Saturn SL Thurman, IA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

BEFORE BUYING SATURN SL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE A MOTOR MOUNT AND PROMISED ME A GOOD RUNNING CAR. SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE "USED" IN MARCH OF 2003 I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS FOR A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND A LOUD EARING RINGING HUMMING IN THE CAR ITSELF THAT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF TO SHAKE. ALL BUT ONE OF THE TIMES THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 4 CYLINDER AND THAT IS HOW THEY SOUND. YHEY WOULD THEN RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THE NOISE GOT GRADUALLY WORSE TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE PHYSICALLY TO DRIVE IT. I RECENTLY REQUESTED ANOTHER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY DID IN FACT FINALLY SAY " YA THAT'S BAD" AND QUESTIONED WHY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON BUT AGAIN REPLACED THE SAME DEFECTED MOTOR MOUNT AGAIN. NOW I HAVE IT BACK AND THERE IS STILL A NOISE IN THE ENGINE THAT IS NOT RIGHT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM.THE VIBRATION ISN'T AS TERRIBLE AS IT WAS BUT MY FEAR IS THAT THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT CASUED THE VIBRATION JUST A SYMPTOM AND THEREFORE LIKE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT IT WILL COME BACK. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

NHTSA complaint #10070891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Saturn SL at 62,280 miles Dayton, OH

EQUIPMENT

ACCESSORIES: VOLUME KNOB FELL OFF...NOT REPLACED YET. OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT FELL OFF ROOF...REPAIRED IN AUGUST. OTHER:SINCE AROUND 40,000 MILES THIS CAR HAS HAD A SEVERE VIBRATION, WETHER FROM MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION, OR ??? IS NOT KNOWN. VIBRATION IS SO BAD THAT YOU CANNOT SEE CLEARLY OUT OF REARVIEW MIRROR WHEN IN PARK, OR IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. IF YOU ARE SITTING IN CAR WHILE IN PARK, VIBRATION CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE A NUMB FEELING IN YOUR BUTT (I AM SERIOUS...THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!) OTHER TIMES IT IS A FIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR TO A STOP IF IN DRIVE BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND A "LEAPING" FEELING. DASH PANEL VIBRATES TERRIBLY LOUD, AND IS VERY DISTRACTING FROM THIS PROBLEM TOO.

NHTSA complaint #10071090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Saturn SL at 8,715 miles Fayetteville, PA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS ON 2001 SATURN SL. *MR FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE BUCKED AND STALLED AT IDLE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN ON ROAD TEST. RADIO LIGHT INOPERATIVE. RADIO ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA complaint #10024545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Saturn SL at 55,153 miles Fayetteville, PA

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE VEHICLE BRAKE ROTOR WARP SEVERAL TIMES WHICH CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACTS AS IF IT WANT TO STALL WHEN SITTING IDLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE EITHER CONCERN. THE RADIO LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE THEREFORE THE DEALER REPLACED THE RADIO. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10025025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Saturn SL Santa Rosa, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER: FOUL SMELL LIKE CAT PEE/AMMONIA AFTER USING A/C. REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES TO DEALER; THEY REMOVED A/C PARTS AND CLEANED EVAPORATOR, ETC BUT SMELL PERSISTS. UNSAFE FOR OWNER'S HEALTH TO USE A/C; ODOR CAUSES HEADACHE AND BREATHING TROUBLE.

NHTSA complaint #761591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Saturn SL Alcoa, TN

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD BECOMES DISTORED. HOWEVER, WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, VISIBILITY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8002829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Saturn SL Morongo Valley, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CONSUMER STATES WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE FRONT END VIBRATES AND MAKES NOISES, CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE, DEALER HAS REPLACED WARPED ROTORS, FRONT TIRES WERE BALD AT 28759 MILES, POSSIBLE FRONT SUSPENSION PROBLEM. AIR CONDITIONER DISCHARGE HOSE WAS LEAKING, CAUSING POOR PERFORMANCE, DEALER REPLACED THE HOSE. HEADLIGHTS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, DEALER REAIMED THE HEADLAMPS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #562039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Saturn SL Baldwin, MI

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUEMR HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, CUSTOMER IS UPSET DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER 100000 MILES WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER SATURNS SPECIAL POLICY REGARDING AN EXTRA COVERAGE FOR 6 YEARS OR 100000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS A DEGRADABLE O-RING CONNECTION WHICH CAUSES MASSIVE FREON LEAKS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #874481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Saturn SL Centereach, NY

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND SPEED VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, WHEN AIR CONDITIONER WASON HIGH AND UPON DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THERE WAS A VERY SLOW TAKE OFF. VEHICLE DIED OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER STATED DUE A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE PUT ON AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR PROBLEM HAS OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #870144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Saturn SL Raleigh, NC

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT TRAUMA, ENGINE MOUNT FAILED CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY AND LOUD NOISE, GAS GAUGE BEGAN BOUNCING RANDOMLY, O-RINGS IN A/C FAILED TWICE, DESPITE RETROFIT, A/C AGAIN INOPERATIVE DUE TO "O-RINGS" WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 40,000 MILES, BATTERY DEAD IN ONE YEAR IN ARIZONA.

NHTSA complaint #720910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Saturn SL Flushing, NY

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

TAPE PLAYER FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #536547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Saturn SL NEW Egypt, NJ

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

65 DIFFERENT MAJOR REPAIRS ON THIS CAR. SEVERAL WERE REPAIRED WHILE UNDERWARRENTY AND NOW DEFECTIVE AGAIN. DEALER AND COMPANY IS NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #713730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Saturn SL Springfield, MA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AFTER TURNING VEHICLE ON HAD HEARD A FUNNY NOISE. HAD A TUNE UP DONE ON VEHICLE. THIS NOISE PERSISTED. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD GONE OUT. AIR CONDITIONER WOULD EVENTUALLY FREEZE.

NHTSA complaint #848191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Saturn SL Seal Beach, CA

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

DEFECT WITH OWNER'S MANUAL.

NHTSA complaint #607457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Saturn SL Tallahasse, FL 1 injured

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VENTILATION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CIRCULATE AIR WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. A FOUL ODOR EMITS FROM THE SYSTEM DUE TO FUNGUS IN THE A/C UNIT (EVAPORATOR CORE), CAUSING HEADACHES, NAUSEA, SCRATCHY THROAT. AW

NHTSA complaint #524273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Saturn SL Alta Loma, CA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C SYSTEM ODOR CAUSED BY DEBRIS IN SYSTEM, POOR PERFORMANCE.

NHTSA complaint #544496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saturn SL problems