1997 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
286
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 SATURN SL
The 1997 SATURN SL has received a total of 286 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEATS, STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION). 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (17 complaints), Air Bagsfrontal (14 complaints), and Tires (13 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 SATURN SL
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 30,855 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 97V155000 — SEATS
| 5 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
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 1997 SATURN SL
286 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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
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
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
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. WE WERE ALL CHECKED AND RELEASED AFTERWARD. I LATER GOT IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DEFAULT. THEN I LATER CONTACT GM, THEY GAVE CLAIM NUMBER AND TOOK INFORMATION ON THE INCIDENT. LATER THEY REFERRED CLAIM SPECIALIST, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM CLAIM SPECIALIST CONCERNING WHAT TO DO. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 SATURN SL
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 SATURN SL
General Motors, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 SATURN SL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
98-T-11B — EQUIPMENT
This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
00T38 — SEATS
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT ABNORMAL WEAR OR A CUT ON THE INBOARD EDGE OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT BACK COVER. *TT
98T07 — SUSPENSION
EXPERIENCING A RATTLE OR CLICK NOISE FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 SATURN SL
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SATURN SL
- 1992 SATURN SL — 173 complaints
- 1993 SATURN SL — 228 complaints
- 1994 SATURN SL — 376 complaints
- 1995 SATURN SL — 481 complaints
- 1996 SATURN SL — 369 complaints
- 1997 SATURN SL (current)
- 1998 SATURN SL — 222 complaints
- 1999 SATURN SL — 232 complaints
- 2000 SATURN SL — 202 complaints
- 2001 SATURN SL — 137 complaints
- 2002 SATURN SL — 154 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