53 of the
2,891 complaints filed about the Saturn SL
are about the other systems —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
I JUST RECEIVED A 1999 SATURN SL 2 SERIES A YEAR AGO FROM MY MOTHER FOR MY VERY FIRST CAR. I GOT IT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW CURRENTLY AT 122,446. I NOTICED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING, USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING, MY GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. I KEPT UP WITH JUST ABOUT MONTHLY OIL CHANGES, ACCOMPANIED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF. MY TRANSMISSION OIL HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THEN, ABOUT 4 DAYS AGO I WENT TO LEAVE FROM MY WORK ORIENTATION, AND I COULDN?T BACK UP MY CAR FROM MY PARKING SPOT, THE REVERSE HAD WENT OUT. SO I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE, THEN BACK TO REVERSE THINKING MAYBE IT DIDN?T GO INTO REVERSE ALL THE WAY AND IT DID NOT WORK. I REVVED UP THE ENGINE, NOTHING HAPPENING UNTIL I DID IT PRETTY HARD, AND EVENTUALLY IT STARTED ROLLING BACK A LITTLE. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A PRETTY BIG ISSUE OR NOT, AND I REALIZE I SEE IT A LOT IN 1999 SATURNS. A RECALL I BELIEVE WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE AND WOULD FURTHER PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND IT?S CURRENTLY SITTING THERE NOW. I DON?T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO TELL ME. I BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SMALL PART THAT JUST NEEDS REPLACED, BUT I?M SURE THEY?RE GOING TO JUST HAVE ME PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS NOT WHAT I PREFER TO DO AS A 18 YEAR OLD COLLEGE STUDENT. ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR WAS ONLY 700$ THAT I PURCHASED IT FOR.
NHTSA complaint #11329753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY NIECE'S AND NEPHEW WAS HOLDING ONTO THE BARS IN THE CEILING AND IT CAME OFF THE BARS IN THE CEILING WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WHOLE ROOF LINER CAME OFF I COULDN'T SEE I HAD TO PULL THE WHOLE LINER DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT I NOTICED AFTER I GOT HOME THE METAL BRACKETS THAT THE SCREWS WE'RE HOLDING ON WAS SPLIT I CANNOT FIX THEM BACK I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND WE ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED I HAVE LITTLE KIDS I TAKE CARE OF I FEEL IT'S A RECALL AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED THE BRACKETS AND THE LINER FELL OFF I THREW THE LINER AWAY THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION I WAS COMING FROM RICHMOND VA PICKED THEM UP TO COME TO MY MOM'S HOUSE IN KING WILLIAM VA I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 I HAVE MORE PICTURES THAN THIS ## VIN PASSED ## 1999 SATURN SL2 ##
NHTSA complaint #11074200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE COOLANT SYSTEM BREAKS FREQUENTLY. THE RADIATOR BREAKS ABOUT EVERY YEAR. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE A STICKING ACCELERATOR. IF YOU HAVE TO ACCELERATE VERY QUICKLY. THE CAR WILL IDLE ABNORMALLY HIGH FOR WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE IGNITION KEY COMES OUT WITHOUT TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10934318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FBI WAS MY FIRST CHOICE. THE CAR OVERHEATS FROM A COLD START AFTER I JUST FILLED UP THE COOLANT AND DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW FEET IN 2 MINUTES FROM START. THE COOLANT WAS ALREADY OVERFLOWING. I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS EATING THE BATTERY LOAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME MAKING THE CAR LOSE POWER WHEN I CHECKED THE READING ON THE CARS INSTALLED VOLTMETER. THIS AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MILE. THIS EXTREME HOT TEMPRETURE CAUSES THE COOLANT TO BOIL AND OVERFLOW EVEN IF I AID IT WITH A REWIRED RADIATOR FAN ON I HAVE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND THE WATERPUMP A COUPLE OF TIMES. PLEASE HELP CAPTAIN AMERICA. THE RECEIPT FROM THE ATTACHED FILE IS THE LATEST.THIS CAR IS POSSESSED.
NHTSA complaint #10876661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING (VEHICLE IN MOTION) THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. AT TIMES WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH NOTHING HAPPENS; NO ELECTRICAL POWER BUT BATTERY IS FINE AND EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKS OUT OK EXCEPT THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT HAS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GM VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED FATALITIES WITH FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE LAST INSTANCE WAS ON MAY 10, 2016.
NHTSA complaint #10865085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KEY CAME OUT OF IGNITION WHILE GOING AROUND CORNER, ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, EVERYTHING ELSE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. A LOCKSMITH CUT A NEW KEY THAT IS SINGLE SIDED, THIS DOES NOT FALL OUT BUT ALSO DOES NOT FUNCTION ON LOCKS.
NHTSA complaint #10775455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY KEY COMES OUT THE IGNITION IN THE RUN POSITION, WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW. THIS STARTED ABOUT THE YEAR OF 2009 AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES. I HAVE 165,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10725523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE TROUBLE TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONCE STARTED THE KEYS CAN FALL OUT OF THE SWITCH. PLEASE ADD THIS TO THE IGNITION RECALL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DIE!!!
NHTSA complaint #10722808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOMETIMES MY SECURITY LIGHT GOES ON-WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IN ORDER TO START CAR UP I HAVE TO LOCK ALL OF THE DOORS, WAIT 20 MINUTES THEN START UP THE CAR. IT NOW HAS 117000 MILES ON IT AND IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND SHAKES AT ANYTHING OVER 60 MILES AN HOUR
NHTSA complaint #10453448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANTENNA CONNECTOR (HOLDER) FAILS ON A 2002 SATURN SL1 WITH 42K MILES ON IT RADIO WOULDN'T RECEIVE FM RECEPTION OVER 30 MILES! HAD FACTORY PUT BACK IN AND NO DIFFERENCE THOUGHT RADIO WAS BAD NOT THE CASE! REMOVED HOLDER WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO DO TOOK 5 HOURS REMOVING AND PUTTING A NEW ONE IN COST 44.00 FOR PART DEALER REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT! SPENT 50.00 REMOVING RADIO AND RE-INSTALLING RADIO! ANTENNA CONNECTOR (HOLDER) HAD SALT BUILD UP IN IT!
NHTSA complaint #10164325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE CLIMATE BLOWER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN 2 TIMES. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP WITH ANY PROBLEMS I HAVE.. THEY JUST GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND. AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED 1 TIME.. WHICH STILL NEVER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.. THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS WHEN ON HIGH ARE SLOWER THEN MOST CARS RESULTING IN POOR VISION. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF WHEN I GOT IN TO A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45 MPH.. THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST CAR OUT THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10154356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOOR MAT SLID UNDER THE PEDALS. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD A RUFF TIME STOPPING THE VEHICLE FINALLY GETTING IT TO STOP THE CONSUMER WALKED HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10096801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 1997 SATURN SL2. IT HAS APX 78K MILES. MY CAR HAS BEEN GOING THRU ALOT OF OIL. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR AND WAS GOING TO COST APX 4K TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10086694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION CASING HAD A BAD LEAK WIRING HARNESS FROM IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE PUTTING ME AND MY FAMILIES LIFE AT RISK RATTLES REAL BAD IN REAR PORTION OF CAR HEATER QUIT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #10070025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 SATURN SL2 WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING ON LOW-STEADY (ONLY WORKED INTERMITTENTLY) -- REQUIRED WIPER MOTOR REPLACEMENT IN OCTOBER 2003, WHICH I BELIEVE IS UNUSUALLY SHORT LIFE SPAN FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR
NHTSA complaint #10042953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.