1998 Saturn SL

168 complaints on file, page 1 of 9.

1. Filed Oct 30, 2014Failure Oct 29, 2014101,000 milesConnelly Springs, NCEngine, Power train

   COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL! *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10651527
2. Filed Oct 23, 2014Failure Jan 11, 2012Slidell, LAAir bagsCrash1 injured

   I WAS DRIVING A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON THE AIRBAG BLEW UP IN MY FACE SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB I HAD BURNS ON MY FACE HEAD HANDS AND FORE ARMS MY RIBS WERE BRUISED AND SOME CONTUSIONS IN BACK AND KNEES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10649360
3. Filed Apr 1, 2014Failure Sep 7, 2013210,000 milesFountain Hills, AZElectrical system

   WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BETWEEN THE RUN AND OFF POSITIONS. WHEN STUCK THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR REMOVED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED NOR CAN THE KEY BE REMOVED. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10576515
4. Filed Feb 28, 2014Failure Feb 23, 2014Burbank, CAUnknown or other

   VEHICLE STALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, SO THE MECHANIC COULD NOT CHECK CODES. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10566414
5. Filed Sep 27, 2013Failure Sep 21, 2013Oakland, CABodyCrash

   EXITING FREEWAY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CRASHED VEHICLE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10545683
6. Filed Oct 22, 2012Failure Oct 22, 2012125,000 milesCollege Park, MDTires

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL, EQUIPPED WITH SUMMIT SIENPRE 6 TIRES, SIZE 185/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES HAD DEVELOPED LARGE BUBBLES IN THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10481376
7. Filed Apr 3, 2012Failure Apr 3, 2012148,763 milesLakeland, FLAir bagsCrash2 injured

   I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE 1998 SATURN SL1, WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION "TWO CARS BEHIND THE LEAD CAR ABOUT TO GO THROUGH INTERSECTION" THE DRIVER IN THE ON-COMING LANE DECIDE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF THE LEAD CAR IN ARE LANE. WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF ACCIDENTS. WHILE THE 1998 SATURN SL WAS INDEED THE LAST CAR TO HIT THE "PILE UP" UPON IMPACT I EXHALED AND TRIED TO RELAX MY BODY FOR IMPACT "LIKE I OBSERVED ON DISCOVERY'S MYTH BUSTERS" AFTER IMPACT AS I WAS ASKING MY FRIEND "DRIVER" IF SHE WAS OK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE! ... IF THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ME A 300PD GROWN MAN ID HATE TO SEE THE OUT COME IF A PERSON NOT OF MY MASS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. I FEEL AS IF THEY WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD... LIFE THREATENING INJURY'S WOULD OF MOST CERTAINLY OCCURRED. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10453980
8. Filed Mar 8, 2011Failure Dec 23, 2010180,000 milesHalifax, NCElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10386884
9. Filed Apr 13, 2010Failure Apr 11, 201070,000 milesLouisville, KYTires

   MY FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE TIRE FOR A 1998 SATURN SL2, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN USED, SHOWS TREAD SEPARATION. THE RUBBER IS SPLITTING APART IN THE TREAD AREA AND THE BELTS ARE SHOWING THROUGH. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO A PREVIOUS FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE I OWNED FOR A SATURN. THE TIRE IS SIZE T115/70R14 AND THE SERIAL NUMBER IS HYM7H5A377. THE TIRE IS ADMITTEDLY OLD, BUT THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE IS ALARMING CONSIDERING THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN USED. IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A NEW REPLACEMENT- TIRE DEALERS SAY TO GET A REPLACEMENT FROM A JUNK YARD, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A FULL SIZE SPARE WILL NOT FIT IN THE TRUNK'S TIRE WELL. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10325422
10. Filed Mar 12, 2010Failure Feb 1, 2009Cotati, CAFuel system, Other

    MY 1998 SATURN SL2 HAS HAD A (HOT ENGINE) FAST IDLE (2000 RPM) CONDITION ON AND OFF FOR YEARS.. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SATURN DEALER,, THEN TO A GM DEALER THREE TIMES ALL TO NO AVAIL.. VARIOUS SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE CONDITION PERSISTS.. I HAVE SPENT NEAR $1000. IN LABOR COSTS, SENSORS ECT AND STILL I HAVE THE PROBLEM.. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10319116
11. Filed Apr 20, 2009Failure Apr 18, 2009Gaithersburg, MDParking brake

    I PARKED MY CAR, A 5-SPEED MANUAL, AND THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON POPPED OUT, AND IS NOW BROKEN SO I CANNOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL. NOT SAFE CONSIDERING MY CAR IS A MANUAL. I AM ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT BUTTON, BUT HAVE NOT HAD MUCH LUCK SO FAR. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10266151
12. Filed Feb 10, 2009Failure May 21, 200710,000 milesOcean Side, CATires

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL1. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, SIZE P185/70/R14. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN ONE YEAR, SIX IDENTICAL TIRES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE FIRST SET REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE TIRES FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST AND THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10258200
13. Filed Sep 24, 2008Failure Sep 17, 2008Springfield, MOFuel system, Gasoline

    WHEN PRESSING BRAKE AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND PUSHES FORWARD. YOU ARE FORCED TO BRAKE HARDER AND DIFFICULT TO STOP. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10243285
14. Filed Feb 26, 2008Failure Feb 26, 2008SAN Diego, CAWiring, Interior/under dash

    I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10219251
15. Filed Feb 14, 2008Failure Jan 21, 2008Fife Lake, MIManifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

    1998 SATURN SL2 MUFFLER BROKE OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0070-91. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10218373
16. Filed May 4, 2007Failure Oct 5, 200040,000 milesPort Jefferson Station, NYEngine

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 181,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10189796
17. Filed Nov 21, 2006Failure Nov 14, 200683,000 milesClinton, MOEngine

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED, THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW AND THICKENED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND MIXED INTO THE OIL DUE TO THE GASKET BREAKING DOWN FROM CONTACT WITH THE COOLANT. THE OIL MIXED WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

    NHTSA complaint 10173936
18. Filed Oct 3, 2006Failure Sep 12, 2006Bethany, CTRecliner1 injured

    DURING A REAR END COLLISION THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED TO FULL RECLINE POSITION. LEAVING ME WHICH MORE SEVERE INJURIES THAN I SHOULD HAVE SUSTAINED. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10169896
19. Filed Aug 28, 2006Failure Aug 15, 2006Menomonie, WIFrontalCrash1 injured

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END IMPACTED THE REAR OF ANOTHER WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH ON A DRY BLACKTOP SURFACE. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. ONE INJURY WAS SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10166736
20. Filed Jul 17, 2006Failure Jul 14, 200672,000 milesST. Petersburg, FLFuel system, Hoses, Lines/piping, And fittings

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10162548