The 1997 Saturn Z has 2 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaint).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints1filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Horn
NHTSA recall 98V307000 · Dec 7, 1998 · 64,199 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED OR SERVICED WITH A HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD FAIL. THE HORN COULD EITHER BECOME INOPERABLE OR ACTIVATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON.
Risk: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT.
Problem: IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CYLINDER IS IN THE RUN POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Risk: THE IGNITION KEY MUST BE REINSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION CYLINDER RE-CODED. OWNERS CAN PERFORM THIS FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES IF THEY SO DESIRE.
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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Horn
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 23, 2008 · 168,000 milesElectrical system › Horn HORN WAS SOUNDING WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HORN, UNDER THE HOOD. UNPLUGGED THE HORN. SAME PROBLEM AS SEEN IN RECALL 98V307000. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.