1996 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
369
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 SATURN SL
The 1996 SATURN SL has received a total of 369 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (32 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (18 complaints), and Electrical Systemhorn (16 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 SATURN SL
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1996 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 30,850 vehicles.
Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
View full details →Recall 97V138000 — STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
| 14,580 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 SATURN SL
369 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
FIRST PROBLEM IS DOOR CHIMES WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. SECOND PROBLEM IS DOME LIGHT STAYS ON IN FRONT OR REAR POSITION WITH ALL DOORS SHUT. THIRD PROBLEM IS NO POWER AT ALL TO THE CAB WHEN I TRIED TO START CAR, AND THEN MY PASSENGER OPENED AND SHUT THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR AND THE POWER CAME BACK ON AND I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. I HAD TO RESET THE CLOCK AND RADIO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT AND LEFT INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MUSCULAR PAIN THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V138000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING AND THE MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED. IF I AM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEEP GOING 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED, THEN GOES BACK VERY SLOWLY TO THE MIDDLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY GASKET. THIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200. *TR
I WAS IN A BROAD SIDE COLLISION (T-BONE) TYPE ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER DRIVER AFTER SHE TURNED IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING THIS COLLISION AND NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MY SEATBELT LOCKED CAUSING ME TO HAVE SEVERE NERVE DAMAGE IN MY NECK ON THE LEFT SIDE, MY LEFT LEG NOW HAS INJURY FROM THIS ACCIDENT NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL HAVE THIS LIFELONG PROBLEM STEMMING FROM THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1996 SATURN SL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 SATURN SL
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 SATURN SL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SATURN SL
- 1991 SATURN SL — 31 complaints
- 1992 SATURN SL — 173 complaints
- 1993 SATURN SL — 228 complaints
- 1994 SATURN SL — 376 complaints
- 1995 SATURN SL — 481 complaints
- 1996 SATURN SL (current)
- 1997 SATURN SL — 286 complaints
- 1998 SATURN SL — 222 complaints
- 1999 SATURN SL — 232 complaints
- 2000 SATURN SL — 202 complaints
- 2001 SATURN SL — 137 complaints
Other SATURN Models
- SATURN ION — 5,467 total complaints
- SATURN VUE — 3,269 total complaints
- SATURN AURA — 2,222 total complaints
- SATURN OUTLOOK — 1,939 total complaints
- SATURN LS — 1,885 total complaints
- SATURN SKY — 623 total complaints
- SATURN SC1 — 554 total complaints
- SATURN SC — 379 total complaints