1999 Saturn Sl 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

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

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

HAND BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON AND SPRING POPPED OUT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED AND PARKED ON A HILL (AS IT TYPICALLY IS), THIS CAR COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE SHIFT CABLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. ON A LATER DATE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE RETURNED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD INDEPENDENTLY DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ORDER THE NECESSARY PART FROM THE DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HAD HE BEEN PARKED ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

THERE ARE PINS HOLDING TOGETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MANUAL AND STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PIN GETS WORN OUT AND FALLS OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS TO EXPLODE OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CHUNKS OF METAL TO FALL AND HIT THE PAVEMENT LEAVING HAZARDS ON THE ROAD WAY AND IN THE PROCESS CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL BY LOCKING UP BOTH FRONT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS A VICTIM OF THIS AND ALMOST STRUCK A VEHICLE HEAD ON AND IN THE PROCESS HIT SEVERAL OBSTACLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAM TO REST IN A DITCH. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT AAMCO TRANSMISSION IN TULSA OK. ALL THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PINS ARE COMING FROM THEM. THIS HAPPENS IN ALL 1999 SATURN SL AND SL2 VEHICLES WITH THE STANDARD AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. MY VEHICLE IS THE 1999 SATURN SL2 WITH THE SOHC 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MANY BEARING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

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.

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

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

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

I OWN A 1999 SL1 SATURN. ON WEDNESDAY 06/07/06, WHEN I WAS TAKING MY 23 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEAT WAS LOOSE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THE BUCKLE THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT (THE ONE THAT COMES UP FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT) HAD COME UN-STITCHED. WHEN I PULLED ON THE BUCKLE IT CAME OUT IN MY HAND. I EMAILED SATURN THURSDAY MORNING AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, SATURN OF BURLINGTON, ON FRIDAY AND SHOWED THEM THE PART AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT WITH THE AGE OF THE CAR, BEING 7 YEARS OLD, THE BEST SHE COULD DO FOR ME WAS 10% OFF THE PART. IT DIDN'T A MATTER TO HER THAT WE HAD ONLY BEEN USING THAT SEAT BELT FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS, SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR SON. THE PART COSTS APPROXIMATELY $49.00. IT IS NOT THE COST THAT BOTHERS ME, IT IS THE "NOT MY PROBLEM" ATTITUDE THAT BOTHERS ME. I WAS EVEN GOING TO PUT THE BUCKLE IN MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED I CALL THE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP UPSET THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE THE ENORMITY OF THE SITUATION. I LATER CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TALKED WITH MELISSA. AFTER EXPLAINING THE EMAIL THAT I SENT THURSDAY, THE CONVERSATION AT SATURN OF BURLINGTON, AND MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE SEAT BELT FAILURE, SHE OFFERED ME A ONE TIME $50.00 INCONVENIENCE GIFT CERTIFICATE THAT I COULD USE AT ANY SATURN DEALERSHIP. HOW CAN SATURN TAKE SEAT BELT FAILURE SO LIGHTLY? WE ARE EXPECTED TO BUCKLE UP EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE CAR, BUT WHAT IS THE POINT IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE GIVEN VEHICLE DOESN'T NEED TO HOLD UP THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN. MAYBE WE ONLY NEED TO BUCKLE UP IN A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 7 YEARS OF AGE SINCE FAULTY SEATBELTS COULD BE A GIVEN. IF WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I FOUND THE BUCKLE WAS UN STITCHED, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY 23 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER, & MY 4 MONTH OLD SON SEATED RIGHT BESIDE HER? *JB

1999 SATURN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL IMPACT. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. *TS THE SEAT BELT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *NM

MICHELIN WEATHERWISE II B. TIRES HAVE POOR WET SURFACE BRAKING PERFORMANCE. VEHICLE NEEDS EXTRA DISTANCE TO STOP WHEN BRAKING ON WET ROADS. *TR

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SL2 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SHREDDED AND PULLED OUT THE INJECTION CIRCUIT SO FUEL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR THREE YEARS. ALSO, THE JACK DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 95000.*AK

1999 SATURN SL PLASTIC GROMMET CONNECTION BETWEEN SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. JUST BROKE. APPARENTLY ENGINEERED WITH A MIND FOR OBSOLESCENCE RATHER THAN SAFETY OR DURABILITY. ENABLING A HIGH REPAIR COST FOR A 50 CENT BUSHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. CHEAP FIX (TIME AND PART WISE) FOR CAR MANUFACTURER IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONVENIENTLY COSTLY FOR OWNER WHEN CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TO MY 1999 SL1 SATURN SEDAN THAT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT TO COLLAPSE SO THAT I WAS PRONE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED (DRIVER OR PASSENGER). *NM

SATURN IS RIPPING PEOPLE OFF BY MAKING THEM BUY A $250 PART JUST TO GET A $5 BUSHING. I THINK THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WHERE WE GET TO DECIDED WHAT WE REPLACE. *TR

WHILE DRIVINT BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MPH RIGHT AXLE SPINDLE BROKE, DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

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

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED WAS HEARING POWER STEERING 'WHINING'. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO RIGHT IT DID NOT RESPOND, NOR DID IT TURN TO THE LEFT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

ENGINE SPEED DOES NOT RETURN TO IDLE WHEN REMOVING FOOT FROM THROTTLE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. *LA

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP MOTOR REVVED, BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS COME LOOSE SEVERAL TIMES. SATURN DEALER HAS RETIGHTENED IT. I HAVE RETIGHTENED IT. DEALER HAS RETIGHTENED IT AGAIN. I HAVE RETIGHTENED IT AGAIN. DEALER HAS NEVER OFFERED OR SUGGESTED AN ACTUAL REPAIR TO STOP THESE REPEATED LOOSENING OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. *NM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. A TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, CAUSING NOISE, CONSUMER STATES THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO FAULTY INSTALLATION OF THE TIRE ASSEMBLY. *JG

I BOUGHT A USED SATURN ON 8/23/08 FROM DESERT INN MOTORS, TOO MANY PROBLEMS AFTER 3 MONTHS , NEW BATTERY, BRAKE BAD, MOTOR PROBLEM TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, SO I TOLD THEM I'M NOT MAKING ANYMORE PAYMENTS, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CAR, THEY REPO MY VEHICLE, SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES. *TR

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

1999 SATURN SL PLASTIC GROMMET CONNECTION BETWEEN SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. JUST BROKE. APPARENTLY ENGINEERED WITH A MIND FOR OBSOLESCENCE RATHER THAN SAFETY OR DURABILITY. ENABLING A HIGH REPAIR COST FOR A 50 CENT BUSHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. CHEAP FIX (TIME AND PART WISE) FOR CAR MANUFACTURER IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONVENIENTLY COSTLY FOR OWNER WHEN CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

CONSUMER STATES THAT ALL DOORS AND QUARTER PANELS ARE MADE OF A POLYMER PLASTIC. THE DOORS ARE RIVETED UNDERNEATH WITH POLYMER TO METAL. AS A RESULT, THE DOORS ARE DETERIORATING AND FALLING APART. THE DOORS ARE CONSTANTLY "STUCK" CLOSED DUE TO THE CONDITION AND FORCING THEM TO OPEN IS EXPEDITING THE DETERIORATION.*AK

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30MPH, STARTING HEAR A NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOOK IMMEDIATELY TO THE MECHANIC AND FOUND PROBLEM WITH DEFECTED FRONT AXLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS CONSUMER WAS TOLD HUMAN ERROR, SEAL WASN'T PACKED WITH ENOUGH GREASE AT THE FACTORY. CONSUMER FELT THAT SHE SHOULD'VE BEEN REIMBURSED FOR HALF OF THE OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS WHICH TOTALED $240.30. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE IS REAR AND HAPPENS IN OLDER MODEL VEHICLES AND EVEN THAT IS REAR. *PH

DIFFERENTIAL PIN DISLODGED, CAUSING CRACK IN TRANSMISSION. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SL2 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SHREDDED AND PULLED OUT THE INJECTION CIRCUIT SO FUEL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR THREE YEARS. ALSO, THE JACK DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 95000.*AK

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE WHEEL LINER BECAME DISENGAGED AND BLEW INTO THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT ENSUED, A LESSER-SKILLED DRIVER COULD POSSIBLY LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THE LINER WAS DAMAGED WHILE PARKING AT A CURB. I MAINTAIN THAT THIS IS NOT SO, THAT THE MATERIAL IS DEFECTIVE; BUT IF SO, THERE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS SUCH DAMAGE TO OCCUR BEFORE THE TIRE CAN CONTACT THE CURB.*AK

I OWN AND OPERATE TWO 1999 SATURN MODELS LS1 VEHICLES AT AAA DRIVING SCHOOL. THEY ARE USED FOR TEACHING BEHIND-THE- HEEL DRIVING INSTRUCTION. BOTH INSTRUCTORS, SEVERAL STUDENTS AND MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT SWITCH COMBINATION, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATING. THE HEADLIGHT ON/OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE END OF THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. TO TURN IT ON THE OPERATOR MUST TURN IT COUNTER CLOCKWISE THROUGH TWO POSITIONS. THIS HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS VERY LITTLE TENSION, REQUIRING NOTHING MORE THAN A LIGHT "FLICK" COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO TURN ON. THE TURN SIGNAL HOWEVER, IS ANOTHER STORY. IT REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY 2-4 LBS. OF PRESSURE TO ENGAGE. THE ARM OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS ALSO VERY SHORT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SIZE STEERING WHEEL. APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 INCHES SHORTER THAN OTHER TURN SIGNAL ARMS IN COMPARABLE VEHICLES. THIS "SHORTNESS" REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO REMOVE THE LEFT HAND FROM THE WHEEL, GRASP AND PULL DOWN OR PUSH UP. (UNLESS THEY HAVE LONGER THAN NORMAL FINGERS) AT NIGHT, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THE OPERATOR/DRIVER REMOVES HAND FROM WHEEL TO ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THEY INADVERTANTLY TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. ALSO REQUIRING AN OPERATOR/DRIVER TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE TURN SIGNAL WHICH IS DONE WHEN CHANGING LANES IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. THE POUNDS OF PRESSURE REQUIRED IS EXCESSIVE IN BOTH ENGAGE/DISENGAGE FUNCTIONS OF THE TURN SIGNAL RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE REQUIRED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON OR OFF. COMPLAINTS TO THE SATURN DEALER AND FACTORY HAVE BEEN UNANSWERED. IN LAS VEGAS, WITH ITS BRIGHTLY LIT STREETS IT IS QUITE COMMON TO SEE A SATURN BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ON. SO, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. *AK