RoadVitals

1996 Saturn Sl

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
287
Latest Jan 30, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 7, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
52
44 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 287 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Saturn Sl, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
97V138000

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Aug 29, 1997
14,580 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL STEERING. THE PINION BEARING CAGE IN THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE UNDER HIGH STEERING SYSTEM LOAD CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKING LOT OR SIMILAR LOW SPEED MANEUVERS.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 287
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2016

FIRST PROBLEM IS DOOR CHIMES WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. SECOND PROBLEM IS DOME LIGHT STAYS ON IN FRONT OR REAR POSITION WITH ALL DOORS SHUT. THIRD PROBLEM IS NO POWER AT ALL TO THE CAB WHEN I TRIED TO START CAR, AND THEN MY PASSENGER OPENED AND SHUT THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THE POWER CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO RESET THE CLOCK AND RADIO.

NHTSA ID
10823199
Incident
Jan 29, 2016
Mileage
68,577 mi
Steering
Filed May 4, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT AND LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCULAR PAIN THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V138000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID
10714522
Incident
Apr 21, 2015
Mileage
166,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10676665
Incident
Nov 18, 2014
Engine
Filed Nov 17, 2014

I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED. IF I AM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEEP GOING 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED, THEN GOES BACK VERY SLOWLY TO THE MIDDLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY GASKET. THIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200. *TR

NHTSA ID
10658749
Incident
Jan 13, 2014
Mileage
103,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 16, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

I WAS IN A BROAD SIDE COLLISION (T-BONE) TYPE ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER DRIVER AFTER SHE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING THIS COLLISION AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MY SEATBELT LOCKED CAUSING ME TO HAVE SEVERE NERVE DAMAGE IN MY NECK ON THE LEFT SIDE, MY LEFT LEG NOW HAS INJURY FROM THIS ACCIDENT NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL HAVE THIS LIFELONG PROBLEM STEMMING FROM THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633578
Incident
Aug 9, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V047000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10588358
Incident
Apr 9, 2012
Mileage
128,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2011

THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. WHEN I LOOKED UP A RECALL THIS IS WHAT I FOUND.: RECALL DATE:12-07-1998 UNITS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:64,199 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:98V307000 DEFECTIVE PART OR COMPONENT:COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION: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. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HORN ASSEMBLY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER COLE GILMORE IN PORTAGE, MICHIGAN. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10432543
Incident
Oct 24, 2011
Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

1996 SATURN SL2, A VEHICLE DEFECT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND STRIKE THE CONCRETE BARRIER. *BF THE LEFT FRONT STRUT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0304-91)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF

NHTSA ID
10345469
Incident
Jun 1, 2010

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

96-T-35D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.

PIP4723F

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIP4723D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

PIC4696E

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.  E version update is to add administrative details.

PIC4696D

EQUIPMENT

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.  The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable.

PIC4696C

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn Sl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20021311046.2
20011113052.2
20001488053.0
19991782052.7
19981681046.1
19972273055.9
1996Viewing2872054.2
19953553365.4
19942861457.9
19931752361.9
19921232363.1
1991291149.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.