Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1996 Saturn SL
NHTSA data on file today
The 1996 Saturn SL has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 286 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #97V138000 GM/STEERING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 59 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 39 complaints
- Electrical System 36 complaints
- Power Train 35 complaints
- Air Bags 18 complaints
- Steering 18 complaints
Of the 286 complaints on file, 50 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 286 complaints, owners report 44 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,000–$4,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1996 Saturn SL has a prominent issue with engine cooling and brakes, reflected in a high number of complaints. Its long-term reliability is questionable, with steering and power train problems also noted.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 70,000–100,000 miles | $450–$600 | common |
| brakes | 50,000–80,000 miles | $250–$400 | very common |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $200–$350 | common |
| steering gear | 60,000–90,000 miles | $300–$500 | occasional |
| power train | 100,000–150,000 miles | $800–$1,200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Coolant flushes
- Transmission fluid changes
- Spark plug replacements
- Tire rotations and alignments
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Overheating engine
- Unusual brake noise
- Steering difficulties
- Electrical failures
- Transmission slipping
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1996 Saturn SL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.