NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Saturn Z Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Saturn Z has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint 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 Z. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1997 Saturn Z owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 Saturn Z, describing incidents dated September 23, 2008.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10245790 · Filed October 17, 2008
HORN WAS SOUNDING WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HORN, UNDER THE HOOD. UNPLUGGED THE HORN. SAME PROBLEM AS SEEN IN RECALL 98V307000. *TR

Read the full complaint

GM/HORN ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #98V307000 · Electrical System — Horn · NHTSA notice

Reported December 7, 1998 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 64,199 vehicles

Owners notified December 5, 1998 · Vehicles built July 1, 1995 – February 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED OR SERVICED WITH A HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD FAIL. THE HORN COULD EITHER BECOME INOPERABLE OR ACTIVATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON.

Safety consequence

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HORN ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 5, 1998. 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 SATURNAT 1-800-553-6000. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/FMVSS 114

NHTSA #97V055000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported April 8, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 319 vehicles

Owners notified April 9, 1997 · Vehicles built January 1, 1997 – February 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CYLINDER IS IN THE RUN POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Safety consequence

THE IGNITION KEY MUST BE REINSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION CYLINDER RE-CODED. OWNERS CAN PERFORM THIS FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES IF THEY SO DESIRE.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 1997. NOTE: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 1-800-553-6000.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Saturn Z. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Saturn Z.

Electrical System

ODI #10245790

Incident: September 23, 2008 · Filed: October 17, 2008

HORN WAS SOUNDING WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HORN, UNDER THE HOOD. UNPLUGGED THE HORN. SAME PROBLEM AS SEEN IN RECALL 98V307000. *TR

Other Saturn Z model years

Check your 1997 Saturn Z VIN

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

Check a Saturn VIN