1998 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

222

Owner Complaints

26 Crashes 2 Fires 2 Deaths

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1998 SATURN SL

The 1998 SATURN SL has received a total of 222 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (18 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingengine (14 complaints), and Tires (10 complaints).

Recalls for the 1998 SATURN SL

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 16,270 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 →

Owner Complaints for the 1998 SATURN SL

222 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 18 3 Crashes 1 Fire 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 14
Tires
Complaints: 10 1 Crash
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 9
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 7 2 Crashes
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 6
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 6
Air Bags
Complaints: 5 4 Crashes 3 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 5
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 5
Electrical System
Complaints: 4 1 Fire
Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly
Complaints: 4
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 6 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 4 4 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 4 1 Crash
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 3 3 Crashes 3 Injuries 1 Death
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 3
Electrical Systemhorn
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 3
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 3
Power Train
Complaints: 3
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Death
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 3
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 3 1 Injury
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 2
Parking Brake
Complaints: 2
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 2
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 2
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 2
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 2
Child Seat
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Child Seatharness Retainerchest Clip
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Engine
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Equipment
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherownersserviceother Manual
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventional
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanical
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncooling Unit And Lines
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assemblyaxle Shaft
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmissioncolumn Shift Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 3 Injuries
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkages
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagestie Rod Assembly
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments
Complaints: 1
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemwindshieldelectrical Heating Element
Complaints: 1
Visibilityglass Siderear
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1 1 Crash

Most Recent Complaints

#10651527 | ENGINE | | 101,000 miles
COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
#10651527 | POWER TRAIN | | 101,000 miles
COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
#10649360 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
I WAS DRIVING A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON THE AIRBAG BLEW UP IN MY FACE SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB I HAD BURNS ON MY FACE HEAD HANDS AND FORE ARMS MY RIBS WERE BRUISED AND SOME CONTUSIONS IN BACK AND KNEES. *TR
#10576515 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 210,000 miles
WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BETWEEN THE RUN AND OFF POSITIONS. WHEN STUCK THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR REMOVED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED NOR CAN THE KEY BE REMOVED. *TR
#10566414 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
VEHICLE STALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, SO THE MECHANIC COULD NOT CHECK CODES. *TR

View all Power Trainautomatic Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1998 SATURN SL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 SATURN SL

General Motors, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1998 SATURN SL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

98T29 — STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

FRONT FENDER CHIPS PAINT OF FASCIA AT FORWARD TIP. YD

NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 SATURN SL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SATURN SL

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Other SATURN Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report