1997 Saturn Sl Problems

SEVERE RUST OUT OF THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) ALONG THE LEFT SIDE, PARTICULARLY AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT POCKET. THIS CONDITION WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE RUSTED SUB-FRAME. RUST CONDITION WAS CONFINED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WITH NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OR CROSS BEAMS. BROUGHT TO SATURN'S ATTENTION BUT CONCERN WAS DENIED AS THE "VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". SATURN NEVER ADDRESSED THE ISSUE THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE HOOD. HE THEN PULLED OVER AS THE SMOKE TURNED INTO FLAMES. AFTER HE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND OIL SPRAYED OUT FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO START CAR. AFTER A FEW TRIES, THE CAR FINALLY STARTED ONLY TO HAVE MOUNDS OF SMOKE ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE SWITCH WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. WE REMOVED DASH COVERS AND IGNITION CYLINDER LOCK, AND LOWERED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FIND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LEADING TO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD WHAT WAS A BLACK WIRE THAT WAS MELTED BARE FOR A COUPLE INCHES, AND DISFIGURED THE ENTIRE WIRE, AND MELTED THE INSULATION TO OTHER WIRES WITHIN THE HARNESS. JUDGING BY THE DAMAGE OF DONE TO THE WIRE, IT APPEARS THAT THE MOST HEAT WAS IN AN AREA WHERE THE WIRE WAS CLOSEST TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LEADING ONE TO BELIEVE THAT IT WORE THROUGH AND GROUNDED ITSELF TO THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH LED TO THE OVERHEATING OF THE WIRE AND SUBSEQUENT SMOKE/FIRE. *JB

1997 SATURN SL2. STARTED ENGINE, IT RAN A FEW SECONDS, THEN STOPPED WITH ELECTRICAL SMELLING SMOKE FLOWING FROM UNDER DASHBOARD INTO CAR. AFTER IT STOPPED, IT COULD STILL BE CRANKED OVER BUT WOULD NOT FIRE AND RUN. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND PUSHED IT INTO OUR GARAGE, WHERE IT STILL SITS.*AK

THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT/SHOULDER BELT SYSTEM WOULD NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE ON MY 1997 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RETRACTOR HAD "FROZEN" & I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE '97 SATURN SEAT BELTS FOR RETRACTOR DOING THE SAME THING IN THE 2 DR COUPE MODEL; I WAS TOLD MY MODEL WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND RARELY DOES THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HAVE AN OCCUPANT. THE SEAT BELT WILL BE REPLACED AS WE NEED IT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AS WELL AS COMPLY WITH THE IL STATE LAW. *JB

THE REAR ANCHOR ON THE CAR SEAT BASE SLIPPED OUT OF ITS POSITION. *JB THE CARRIER HAD GOTTEN STUCK AND WAS REMOVED. *SC 8JB

I HAVE A 1997 SATURN SL2. THE "BUTTON" ON MY PARKING BRAKE HANDLE POPPED OFF THE OTHER DAY (03/27/2006), RELEASING MY PARKING BRAKE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON A STEEP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, OTHERWISE THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED AWAY. ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH A TINY PIECE OF "PLASTIC" IS ALL THAT HOLDS THE PARKING BRAKE IN PLACE. ONCE THE BUTTON IS BROKEN, THERE IS NO WAY TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. I REALLY THINK THIS WARRANTS A RECALL. *JB

I BOUGHT A NEW 1997 SATURN , PAID CASH AND 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. PUT BRAKES ON, COULD NOT STOP THE CAR (6/7/97). SATURN DID NOTHING REGARDING THIS. THEY SAID I WAS NOT USE TO THE BRAKES. TAPPED THE BACK OF A VAN. 2.) HAD GRAND CHILD IN CAR, BACKING INTO GARAGE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD AGAIN. HIT SAND BAGS HUSBAND HAD IN GARAGE THAT STOPPED CAR. SOME NUT CAME FROM ANOTHER STATE, SISN'T DRIVE EVEN 2 MILES AND SAIDM THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES!!!!! I WORKED IN A VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL (C.V.S.) IN CHICAGO, IL, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE INSPECTION WAS NOT RIGHT. WROTE TO EVERBODY, NOT HELP FROM NOBODY!!!!! I WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND A SATURN TO ANYONE!!!THEY ARE LEMONS!!!I PUT A SIGN IN MY CAR SAYING DON'T BUY A SATURN, YOU'LL GET A LEMON LIKE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER, WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON, IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER TRYING A COUPLE OF TIMES,IT MADE A POP SOUND AND SMOKE FLOODED INSIDE THE CAR. I TURNED OFF THE KEY, TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK AS WELL. I REPLACED THE FUSE FOR THE WINDOWS, AND THE CAR STARTED, BUT NOW ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WORKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND THE SHIFTER CABLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SHIFTER LEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO SHIFTER CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF A SMALL PLASTIC BUSHING USED TO JOIN THE SHIFTING LEVER TO THE SHIFTING CABLE IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BUSHING FAILED, THE SHIFTING CABLE FELL OFF THE SHIFTING LEVER WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS STOPPED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BROKEN BUSHING, BUT INSTEAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE CABLE AS WELL AS AN ADJOINING CABLE. UPDATED 08/06/12

1997 SATURN SL, 4 DOOR SEDAN, MANUAL TRANSAXLE, 143000 MILES AT A PARKING LOT: SHIFTER CABLE PLASTIC BUSHING BROKE LOCKING MY TRANSAXLE IN REVERSE. PROBLEM FIXED WITH AN AFTERMARKET KIT SOLD BY NAPA AUTO STORES. *TR

ON JULY 23, 2014 APPROXIMATELY 6:35P.M. I WAS ON MY WAY TO CHURCH ALONG WITH THREE OTHER PASSENGERS. MY SISTER WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND MY GRANDSON AND THE LADY THAT LIVE WITH ME WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. WITHOUT WARNING THERE WAS A BOOM OR EXPLOSION THAT CAUSE ME TO BRIEFLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND FUME FROM THE DEPLOYED AIRBAGS. MY ARMS WERE CHEMICALLY BURNED AND KNUCKLES ON LEFT HAND FROM HOLDING STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER IN FRONT WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT WRISTS PAIN, ANXIETY AND CHEST PAIN IN ONE OF HER BREAST. MY GRANDSON AND THE LADY RIDING IN THE BACK WAS NOT HURT BUT WAS CHECKED AT THE EMERGENCY FOR INHALATION AND RELEASED. WE WERE ALL CHECKED AND RELEASED AFTERWARD. I LATER GOT IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DEFAULT. THEN I LATER CONTACT GM, THEY GAVE CLAIM NUMBER AND TOOK INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT. LATER THEY REFERRED CLAIM SPECIALIST, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM CLAIM SPECIALIST CONCERNING WHAT TO DO. *TR

DRIVER WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE PARKING CURB JUST SLIGHTLY WHILE BRAKING. BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM

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. *AK

I RECENTLY TOOK MY 1997 SATURN IN TO DISCOUNT TIRE FOR MY TIRE ROTATION THAT THEY PROVIDE WHEN YOU PURCHASE TIRES FROM THEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN BECAUSE OF THE WEAR ON THE OUTER EDGES OF THE FRONT TIRES. THE FRONT TIRES ARE WORN BUT NOT DOWN TO THE WEAR INDICATORS AND THE REAR TIRES ARE IN MUCH BETTER CONDITION AND HAVE MUCH MORE TREAD. I WAS TOLD BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY WOULD NOT ROTATE MY TIRES BECAUSE THE BEST TIRES WERE ALREADY IN THE "REAR", AND THAT IT IS MUCH SAFER TO HAVE BAD TIRES IN THE FRONT THAN IN THE REAR. WHEN I QUESTIONED HIM AS TO WHY, I WAS SHOWN A BROCHURE EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL BETWEEN HAVING A PROBLEM IN THE FRONT VS. THE REAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT HAVING THE BEST TIRES UP FRONT WAS "OLD SCHOOL" MENTALITY. NOT ONLY HAVE I EXPERIENCED "BLOW OUT" CONDITIONS IN BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR OF DIFFERENT VEHICLE THAT I HAVE OWNED THROUGH OUT THE YEARS, I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 15+ YEARS AS AND ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN AND CURRENTLY WRITE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICAL SERVICE MANUALS, AND NEVER HAVE I HEARD THIS. STILL HAVING MANY CONTACTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, I CAN NOT FIND ANYONE WHO AGREES WITH DISCOUNT TIRE ON THIS ONE. I AM NOT LOOKING TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT, BUT LOOKING TO A RELIABLE SOURCE FOR SOME CLARITY ON THIS ISSUE. TO ME, IT SEEMS AS IF THEY COULD BE CREATING MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE THAN SOLVING ONE. HOWEVER, IF PRESENTED WITH CREDITABLE INFORMATION ON TESTING (OTHER THAN MARKETING BROCHURES), I COULD BE CONVINCED OTHERWISE. I SEEMED TO ME THAT THIS WAS BEING USED TO SELL ME TIRES MORE THAN ANYTHING, BECAUSE THE SALE PITCH STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SHOWING ME THE COLOR BROCHURE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEED BACK OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS CONCERN. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT IF NECESSARY.*JB REGARDS, GARY H KNAPP. *JB

SEVERE RUST OUT OF THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) ALONG THE LEFT SIDE, PARTICULARLY AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT POCKET. THIS CONDITION WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE RUSTED SUB-FRAME. RUST CONDITION WAS CONFINED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WITH NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OR CROSS BEAMS. BROUGHT TO SATURN'S ATTENTION BUT CONCERN WAS DENIED AS THE "VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". SATURN NEVER ADDRESSED THE ISSUE THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

DURING OIL CHANGE DISCOVERED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT, DRIVERS SIDE. CAR WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING SUSPENSION AND STEERING. TRIED TO FIND A USED SUBFRAME BUT ALL IN LOCAL AUTO PARTS RECYCLERS WERE JUST AS BADLY RUSTED. *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON MY 1997 SATURN SL STOPPED AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN. AD TO TO AN EMERGENCY PULL OVER WHILE NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE ANYTHING OUT MY WINDOW. LUCKY TO FIND A SPOT WHILE NOT BEING HIT BY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *AK

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.*AK

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. *AK

THERE IS ALOT OF PLAY IN STEERING, AND THERES AVERY LOUD POPING NOISE WHEN TURNING WHEEL.*AK

EVERY FEW MONTHS SINCE I'VE HAD MY CAR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, IT WILL START, BUT WILL IDLE LOW. IF I TRY TO PUT IT IN GEAR, IT WILL STALL. IF I TRY TO RESTART IT AND GIVE IT GAS IT WILL IMEDIATELY CUT OFF. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE CAN DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I'VE HAD THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, OXYGEN SENSOR (TWICE), WIRES, SPARK PLUGS, ETC. REPLACED COSTING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS "THE WAY I WAS DRIVING THE CAR!" THE MOST RECENT TIME I HAD MY 2 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND IT STALLED WHEN I WAS IN THE INTERSECTION, TO MAKE IT THROUGH I HAD TO ACCELERATE ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO THE PROBLEM LIKE THE WEATHER, SO IT IS HARD TO PINPOINT.*AK

RANDOMLY, USUALLY ABOUT EVERY FEW MONTHS, I WILL START MY CAR. IT WILL START, BUT IT STARTS "FUNNY." IT DOESN'T HIT THE USUAL HIGH RPMS AND WILL IDLE LOW. IF I ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE CAR, IT WILL USUALLY RUN WITH LOW RPMS. WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP, IT WILL IDLE LOW AND SOMETIMES STALL. THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TEMPERATURES. IT ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT OR COLD. SOMETIMES IT TAKES 5-10 TRIES TO START THE CAR AT ALL. OF COURSE, MECHANICS ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM AND SAY NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED BY SATURN OF GAITHERSBURG, SATURN OF SILVER SPRING, AND GRAEVES AUTO IN OLNEY.

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE OFF POSITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL DIS-ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES, THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT HAS SINCE BEEN DISABLED. *TR

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

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.*AK

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.*AK

SEVERE RUST OUT OF THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) ALONG THE LEFT SIDE, PARTICULARLY AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT POCKET. THIS CONDITION WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE RUSTED SUB-FRAME. RUST CONDITION WAS CONFINED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME WITH NO APPARENT ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT SIDE OR CROSS BEAMS. BROUGHT TO SATURN'S ATTENTION BUT CONCERN WAS DENIED AS THE "VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY". SATURN NEVER ADDRESSED THE ISSUE THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS A COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

DURING OIL CHANGE DISCOVERED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT, DRIVERS SIDE. CAR WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING SUSPENSION AND STEERING. TRIED TO FIND A USED SUBFRAME BUT ALL IN LOCAL AUTO PARTS RECYCLERS WERE JUST AS BADLY RUSTED. *TR

I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS LATENT DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETECTED.

THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR STICKS IN THE RESUME POSITION INTERMITTENTLY.*AK