1996 Saturn SL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
163 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 163 complaints (14.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 11.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.2% |
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 | 23 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 15 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 7 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 5 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 23; Electrical System:Horn: 15; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 7; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 5; Tires:Tread/Belt: 5
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 15 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 114 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 37 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 18 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 14; 2000: 37; 2001: 19; 2002: 20; 2003: 18; 2004: 21; 2005: 7; 2006: 4; 2007: 5; 2008: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001524 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005654 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
I PURCHASED MY SATURN SL2 NEW IN 1996. AFTER 70,000 MILES IT STARTED USING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF OIL. OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED TO ECLIPSE 1 QT. FOR EVERY 500 MILES. MY OIL CHANGE SERVICE SAID SATURN ENGINES WERE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD RINGS. I TOOK TO SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY WANTED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A NEW ENGINE. I REPLACED ENGINE WITH A SATURN ENGINE WITH 23,000 MILES. AFTER ANOTHER 40,000 MILES THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME BEHAVIOR. I NOW NEED TO PURCHASE A THIRD ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010631 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR AND GRINDS. SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T GET IT INTO GEAR. ALL COMPONETS OF THE CLUTCH ARE FINE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011414 · 2003-03-11 (March 11, 2003)
THE HORN HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011862 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 98 V 307 000, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014755 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
NAR 02/28/2003 MR MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 92,237 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016552 · 2003-04-26 (April 26, 2003)
1996 SATURN - ENGINE OIL LEAKS INTO COOLANT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. 1997'S UNDER 100,000 MILES SATURN WOULD PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT NOT 1996'S. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 128,433 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017453 · 2003-04-23 (April 23, 2003)
THE VEHICLES HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017453 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V138000 · Steering:Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Reported: 1997-08-29 (August 29, 1997)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗