NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Saturn SL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Saturn SL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 226 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saturn dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Saturn SL, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Saturn SL owner complaints

Owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Saturn SL, describing incidents dated February 28, 1996 to May 10, 2016.

Most-cited components

Engine 36 complaints
Electrical System 30 complaints
Power Train 23 complaints
Seat Belts 23 complaints
Service Brakes 18 complaints
Seats 16 complaints

Of the 226 complaints on file, 29 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 226 complaints, owners report 28 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10865085 · Filed May 16, 2016
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…
ODI #10654441 · Filed November 12, 2014
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…
ODI #10622410 · Filed August 14, 2014
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…

Read all 226 complaints

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GM/FMVSS 210

NHTSA #97V155000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported September 12, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 5 vehicles

Owners notified September 10, 1997 · Vehicles built March 24, 1997 – March 24, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

Notes

OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE.ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR. NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED ON THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.

GM/STEERING

NHTSA #97V138000 · Steering — Gear Box (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · NHTSA notice

Reported August 29, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 14,580 vehicles

Owners notified August 29, 1997 · Vehicles built July 1, 1996 – January 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 1997.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-833-6000.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1997 Saturn SL 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

226 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Saturn SL.

Unknown or Other

ODI #10865085

Incident: May 10, 2016 · Filed: May 16, 2016

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.

Suspension; Engine and Engine Cooling; Structure

ODI #10654441

Incident: July 9, 2009 · Filed: November 12, 2014

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

Air Bags

ODI #10622410

2 injuries

Incident: July 23, 2014 · Filed: August 14, 2014

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

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10598826

Incident: May 1, 2013 · Filed: June 17, 2014

DURING OIL CHANGE DISCOVERED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT, DRIVERS SIDE. CAR WAS REMOVED FROM SERVICE AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTING SUSPENSION AND STEERING. TRIED TO FIND A USED SUBFRAME BUT ALL IN LOCAL AUTO PARTS RECYCLERS WERE JUST AS BADLY RUSTED. *TR

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10598825

Incident: May 1, 2013 · Filed: June 17, 2014

Electrical System

ODI #10574492

Incident: March 24, 2014 · Filed: March 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10482496

Incident: October 22, 2012 · Filed: October 28, 2012

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE OFF POSITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL DIS-ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES, THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT HAS SINCE BEEN DISABLED. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10463438

Incident: June 24, 2012 · Filed: June 28, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND THE SHIFTER CABLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SHIFTER LEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO SHIFTER CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF A SMALL PLASTIC BUSHING USED TO JOIN THE SHIFTING LEVER TO THE SHIFTING CABLE IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BUSHING FAILED, THE SHIFTING CABLE FELL OFF THE SHIFTING LEVER WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS STOPPED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BROKEN BUSHING, BUT INSTEAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE CABLE AS WELL AS AN ADJOINING CABLE. UPDATED 08/06/12

Power Train

ODI #10284235

Incident: September 16, 2009 · Filed: September 16, 2009

1997 SATURN SL, 4 DOOR SEDAN, MANUAL TRANSAXLE, 143000 MILES AT A PARKING LOT: SHIFTER CABLE PLASTIC BUSHING BROKE LOCKING MY TRANSAXLE IN REVERSE. PROBLEM FIXED WITH AN AFTERMARKET KIT SOLD BY NAPA AUTO STORES. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10281665

Incident: August 12, 2009 · Filed: August 25, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THE SHIFT LEVER CABLE FRACTURED; THUS DISABLING THE VEHICLE FROM SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. GEAR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102000.

Other Saturn SL model years

Check your 1997 Saturn SL VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saturn SL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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