RoadVitals

1999 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.
178
Latest Jun 19, 2020
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.
27
20 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 178 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Saturn Sl, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 20 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

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.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

Oct 20, 1999
265,698 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 99067/99-C-02View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 19, 2020

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329753
Incident
May 1, 2020
Mileage
118,000 mi
Filed Feb 21, 2018

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 ID
11074200
Incident
Feb 18, 2018
Mileage
125,080 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10766344
Incident
Jun 17, 2015
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 20, 2014

THE LOCK ON THE STEERING COLUMN IS TOO LOOSE TO BE TURNED EFFECTIVELY ONLY SOMEONE WHO HAS DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A WHILE KNOWS HOW TO GET THE KEY TO TURN SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626736
Incident
Jun 2, 2010
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ID
10618240
Incident
Jul 23, 2014
Mileage
225,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 11, 2014
Crash reported4 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD DISOBEYED THE STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE THREE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10609952
Incident
Jan 7, 2012
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 28, 2013

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. NO KNOWN CAUSE- POSSIBLY BAD SENSORS. IT BROKE MY THUMB AND BURNED MY ARM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10494953
Incident
Jan 8, 2013
Mileage
156,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2011

HAND BREAK BUTTON COMES OFF PREVENTING THE HAND BRAKE FROM LOCKING IN PLACE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10422268
Incident
Aug 26, 2011
Mileage
155,125 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

98-T-18C

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.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

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.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

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.

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
1999Viewing1782052.7
19981681046.1
19972273055.9
19962872054.2
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.