1998 Saturn SL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
110 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
66,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 110 complaints (10.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 17.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.5% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Tires: 8; Air Bags: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System: 4; Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 72 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 18 |
| 2001 | 18 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
2000: 18; 2001: 18; 2002: 13; 2003: 17; 2004: 17; 2005: 6; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10042391 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED UPON STARTING VEHICLE PARK PAW WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THIS HAPPENED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. CONSUMER HAD TO ROCK THE VEHICLE, RESTART, PUMP THE BRAKES AND GIGGLE THE LEVER BEFORE IT WOULD RELEASE. WHEN CHANGING GEAR A SCRAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD AND SATURN STATED IT WOULD GET WORSE. AFTER FOUR TIMES, CONSUMER HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $#144.09. CONSUMER NOTED SATURN WOULD NOT WORK ON HIS VEHICLE MAYBE BECAUSE HE FILLED A COMPLAINT FOR SHABBY WORK. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 61,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058555 · 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)
EMERGENCEY BRAKE NON-FUNCTIONAL AFTER 1/8 INCH DAIMETER PLASTIC BUTTON RETAINER BROKE. TS ASSEMBLED SUCH THAT IF IT FAILS IT IS DISENGAUGED, RESULTING IN A CAR THAT CAN ROLL DOWN INCLINES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001275 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CAM SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE IDLE CONTROL WAS ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 11,979 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033577 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, HOWEVER THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. *AK THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, MAINLY IN FIRST GEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033577 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070891 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
BEFORE BUYING SATURN SL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE A MOTOR MOUNT AND PROMISED ME A GOOD RUNNING CAR. SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE "USED" IN MARCH OF 2003 I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS FOR A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND A LOUD EARING RINGING HUMMING IN THE CAR ITSELF THAT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF TO SHAKE. ALL BUT ONE OF THE TIMES THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 4 CYLINDER AND THAT IS HOW THEY SOUND. YHEY WOULD THEN RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003992 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.*JB PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025027 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE IGNITION MODULE AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE A RECALL OUT, BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003027 · 2002-01-29 (January 29, 2002)
WHEN ACCELERATING TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. ALSO, BATTERY IS LEAKING FLUID, DETERIORATING WIRE HARNESS TO TRANSMISSION. DEALER STATED PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR BECAUSE WIRES DO NOT HAVE A PROTECTIVE COVERING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162548 · 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)
GAS LEAKING. RUNNING LOW ON GAS AFTER FILL UP. HAD CAR LOOKED AT AND THERE ARE HOLES IN THE GAS LINE, RUNNING FROM THE ENGINE TO GAS TANK. FUEL LINE IS APPARENTLY IS PLASTIC AND IS DETERIORATING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162548 at NHTSA ↗