1999 Saturn Sl Electrical Problems

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

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

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

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

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

I HAVE A 1999 SATURN SL THAT I BOUGHT OFF A SATURN EMPLOYEE TWO MONTHS AGO; IT WAS MAKING A WHINING SOUND BUT SHE SAID THAT THE SOUND WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A NON STANDARD PART ON IT. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONCE OR TWICE AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK NOR START. I HAVE CHECKED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER-SOLENOID AND ALL WIRES AND CABLES. I HAVE ALSO CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE AND THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PARTS ABOVE NOR ANY THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO CRANK OR START. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT IN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281130

Incident

Aug 17, 2009

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V307000 (COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

NHTSA ID

10229351

Incident

May 30, 2008

Mileage

135,000 mi

1999 SATURN SL2 77,500 MILES THIRD TIME FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10180909

Incident

Dec 14, 2006

Mileage

76,500 mi

I CALLED MR.AKINBUSOLA DESOLA AKINTOLA HARRISON ON 08/03/06 FOR '99 SATURN SL2 FOR SALE OVER CRAIGS LIST WEB-SITE DATE 08/02/06AD#[email protected]. WHEN MEETING HIM IN PERSON I ASKED HIM IF THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGES, ACCIDENTS OR PERHAPS TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR. HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITIONS ITS A CLEAN CAR, NO ACCIDENTS, NO DENTS THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN I ASKED HIM TO BRING THE DMV PAPERWORK ALONG WITH REGISTRATION AND PINK SLIP HE ONLY BROUGHT THE DMV FORMS TO FILL OUT. THE SELLER LOST THE PINK SLIP, BUT WITH DMV FORM REG 227 YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A COPY. ONCE WE FINISHED WITH THE FORMS HE ASKED FOR THE PAYMENT TO BE IN CASH $2,500. AFTER THE TRANSACTION I DROVE HIM BACK TO HIS HOME. HE ADVISED ME TO CHANGE THE CARS BATTERY BECAUSE HE GOT THE WRONG ONE (A DIFFERENCE OF $30.00 ALREADY!) I HEADED BACK TO WORK & THIS CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE STILL DRIVING I PARKED IT OVER MY JOB'S PARKING LOT. I CHECKED THE REGISTRATION: WHICH WAS ISSUED ON 7/11/2006 PR/HIST: SALVAGE!!! HE MANAGED TO FOOL ME & MR.KHAN AS WELL! HE BROUGHT A PRINTED OUT SALES CONTRACT ALONG WITH THE DMV FORMS WHICH SEEMED FAIR. MR.AKINTOLA HARRISON KEPT THE VEHICLE'S REGISTRATION WITH HIM AT ALL TIMES UNTIL HE GOT THE PAPERS FILLED OUT, AND SIGNED AND THE $2,500.00 IN CASH. HE RELEASED THE CAR'S REGISTRATION PLACING IT IN BETWEEN OF ALL THE DVM DOCUMENTS. I CALLED HIM ON MONDAY 08/07/2006 UNTIL NOW ASKING HIM IN GOOD FAITH TO DO A FAIR EXCHANGE (THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVER WHERE I WORK SINCE I BOUGHT IT) IN A FRIENDLY MANNER I ASKED HIM TO GET MY MONEY BACK WITH NO HARD FEELINGS & WHEN CAN WE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? I DID CHANGED THE BATTERY AS REQUESTED (A $30.00 LOSS ON ME)MR. HARRISON CALLED MY WORK NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SPENT THE $2,500 ALREADY; INSTEAD I SHOULD BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR! PLEASE HELP ME WITH ADVICE IN HOW TO APPROACH THIS EVENT! *JB

NHTSA ID

10165133

Incident

Aug 3, 2006

SATURN WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK AND WATER IN THE OIL. OVER HEATING REALLY BAD THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN AND NOT START UNTIL COOL, AND IT BOILS OVER IN THE RADIATOR EXPANSION TANK. OCTOBER '03 HAD HEAD GASKETS REPLACED, AND THE HEADS SENT OFF FOR SERVICE, ONE MONTH LATER, ITS BACK TO LEAKING OIL IN THE COOLANT AND WATER IN THE OIL. OXYGEN SENSOR WENT OUT, AND HAS BEEN REPLACED AND SO DID THE IGNITION MODULAR, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10064044

Incident

Oct 31, 2003

Mileage

75,000 mi

THE IGNITION CYLINDER IN THE STEERING COLUMN JAMMED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT REQUIRED THE CAR TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP; THE ENTIRE IGNITION CYLINDER/LOCK ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR WAS ONLY 47,616 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10045067

Incident

Aug 8, 2003

Mileage

47,616 mi

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *AK AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS TO KEEP THE "SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT" FROM ILLUMINATING, THE MECHANIC FINALLY REPLACED THE FAULTY IGNITION CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER FELT THE RECALL SHOULD GO BACK A FEW MORE YEARS. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID

10034379

Incident

Feb 4, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE IGNITION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, CAUSING STALLING ENGINE. ALSO FAILURE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE FEELS FREE TO ADD ON. TS

NHTSA ID

8022030

Incident

Oct 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY WAS NOT HOLDING ITS CHARGE.*JB

NHTSA ID

567781

02 SENSOR FAILURE, WATER PUMP, FUEL PUMP, SERPENTINE BELT, FUSE BLOCK - ALL PARTS DEFECTS WITHIN SHORT SPAN OF TIME AFTER THEIR 36K WARRANTY EXPIRED- ATYPICAL PROBLEMS FOR CAR WITH THIS TYPE OF MILEAGE. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND WOULD NOT REVEAL PARTS MANFUCTURER - "NOT LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO TELL THE PUBLIC." AS THIS CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS INFORMED THAT SATURN WOULD NOT REIMBURSE FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS BUT WOULD DOCUMENT THAT I WAS UNHAPPY WITH MY SATURN EXPERIENCE. SATURN NOT CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY FACTORS INVOLVED WITH REPETITIVE PARTS FAILURES. OFFERRED FREE OIL CHANGE. DID NOT OFFER TO HAVE CAR BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION OR EXTENDING SOME KIND OF WARRANTY IN ORDER TO STUDY ANY PROBLEMS FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR OR MODEL. *AK

NHTSA ID

765011

Incident

Jan 4, 2002

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED, ALARM DISABLED, HORN FAILURE, AND INTERIOR LIGHT FAILED, POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SLC

NHTSA ID

785217

POSITION OF HORN BUTTON IS TOO LOW ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TOO SMALL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND OR USE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MANUFACTURER HAS IMPROVED THE DESIGN IN NEWER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR OLDER MODELS.*AK

NHTSA ID

865748

IGNITION SWITCH CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING DIFFICULTIES WHEN TURNING KEY WHICH WAS REPLACED SEPT.3,99. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YC

NHTSA ID

548579

Incident

Jul 1, 1999

SUSPECTED ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY (ELECTRICAL AND FUEL SYSTEMS).

NHTSA ID

543937

Incident

Jan 20, 1999

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FALILED, AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. SECOND TIME, WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AGAIN, AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, THE THIRD TIME THIS SCENARIO HAPPENED THE DEALERSHIP TOWED VEHICLE ,AND THE DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN. BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. DAVID- MECHANIC AT SATURN OF ERVING TEXAS--972-790-7400. *AK

NHTSA ID

834212

Incident

Jan 20, 1999