Model year record

1997 Saturn SL recalls & problems

The 1997 Saturn SL has 3 safety recalls and 227 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (41 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints227filed by owners

Crashes · fires30 · 9reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths28 · 0reported in complaints

1997 Saturn SL in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

SeatsSep 12, 1997

Seats

Recall 97V1550005 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT COLD WELDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE TUNNEL AREA OF THE FLOOR PAN. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

SteeringAug 29, 1997

Gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Recall 97V13800014,580 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Saturn SL 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

SL

28mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SL

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	41	0	1	0	76,300 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Horn	32	0	8	0	64,443 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	25	2	0	2	66,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	25	4	0	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	25	0	0	3	118,075 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	20	15	0	13	109,514 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	18	13	0	11	—
TiresTread/belt	16	2	0	1	—
StructureBody › Trunk lid; Frame and members › Underbody shields	14	0	0	1	118,733 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	12	0	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Pump	10	1	0	1	—
Vehicle speed control	9	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
WHILE DRIVING (VEHICLE IN MOTION) THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY. AT TIMES WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION SWITCH NOTHING HAPPENS; NO ELECTRICAL POWER BUT BATTERY IS FINE AND EVERYTHING ELSE CHECKS OUT OK EXCEPT THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT HAS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GM VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED FATALITIES WITH FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE LAST INSTANCE WAS ON MAY 10, 2016.
May 10, 2016 · 149,000 miles
Suspension
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
Jul 9, 2009 · 48,736 miles
Air bags2 injuries
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.…
Jul 23, 2014 · 115,028 miles
Suspension
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
May 1, 2013 · 118,733 miles
Suspension
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
May 1, 2013 · 118,733 miles
Electrical system
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.
Mar 24, 2014
Vehicle speed control
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
Oct 22, 2012 · 341,900 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
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…
Jun 24, 2012 · 127,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.