Saturn SL Complaints (1999)

178 consumer complaints on file.

#10229351May 30, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V307000 (COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197898July 30, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. SHE HAS REPLACED THE FUSE AND BOLTS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE SHORTAGES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V245000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197621July 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ONCE MY SATURN SL AS AT LEAST 2 OTHERS THAT I KNOW OF THAT OWN THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE, HIT 100K MILES OR JUST SLIGHTLY OVER, THE HEAD GASKET BLOWS. I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL THIS POINT AND WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER IF THIS WASN'T A COMMON ISSUE WITH SATURNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10183068February 20, 2007
TIRES, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SL2 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SHREDDED AND PULLED OUT THE INJECTION CIRCUIT SO FUEL WAS NOT GETTING INTO THE CYLINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR THREE YEARS. ALSO, THE JACK DID NOT WORK. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 95000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180909January 28, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1999 SATURN SL2 77,500 MILES THIRD TIME FUSE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174936December 1, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
MY HAND BRAKE BUTTON SUDDENLY POPPED OUT SHOWING TO BE BROKEN AND I COULD NO LONGER PUT THE HAND BRAKE IN PLACE. STILL TRYING TO FIND A FIX. DIFFICULT TO PARK ON STEEP DRIVEWAYS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173101November 10, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION TO MY 1999 SL1 SATURN SEDAN THAT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT TO COLLAPSE SO THAT I WAS PRONE AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED (DRIVER OR PASSENGER). *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10171576October 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE USED UP A LARGE AMOUNT OF RADIATOR FLUID. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE DRIVEWAY, HOWEVER THE RESERVOIR HAD TO BE REFILLED EVERY 3 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE, UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS MOISTURE AROUND THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR TANK, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR TANK HAD LEAKED FROM THE TOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166978August 29, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF SATURN AUTOMOBILES WITH FIVE-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, I HAD THE BUSHING ON THE SHIFT CABLE BREAK. THE REPAIR SET ME BACK $400. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET (HTTP://WWW.CHAOSMAGNET.COM/BLOG/ARCHIVES/000112.HTML) AND OTHER WEBSITES, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I HAVE A 1999 SATURN SL. ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM MANY PEOPLE, THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED OVER MANY MODEL YEARS. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS THIS: WHY HAS SATURN BEEN ALLOWED TO PROVIDE A KNOWN FAULTY DESIGN TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC? A SHIFT CABLE BREAKING (RATHER THE CHEAP PLASTIC BUSHING WHICH ATTACHES TO THE SHIFT LEVER BREAKING) WHEN THE DRIVER IS IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM COULD CAUSE HAVOC AT THE VERY LEAST. A DRIVER UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEARS OF HIS VEHICLE COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS THIS DESIGN FAULT HAS CAUSED. AGAIN I ASK, WHY HAS THIS MANUFACTURER BEEN ALLOWED TO PROVIDE A FAULTY PRODUCT TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC? WITH THE ADVENT OF THE INTERNET, MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A COMMON PROBLEM CAN DISCOVER JUST HOW LARGE THE MAGNITUDE OF ANY PROBLEM CAN BE. I WONDER IF THE EXECUTIVES OF SATURN EXPECT TO "SWEEP THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE CARPET" LIKE THE EXECUTIVES OF FORD DURING THE "FLAMING PINTO" ERA. LEE IACOCCA WAS EVEN ABLE TO GET A LARGE LOAN FROM THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS TO HELP OUT CHRYSLER. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, LEE (THEN AT FORD) AND OTHER FORD EXECUTIVES DECIDED THAT PAYING INJURY LAWSUIT AWARDS WOULD BE CHEAPER THAN FIXING THE PROBLEM. WELL, THEY WERE WRONG -- THEY HAD TO DO BOTH. AGAIN I WONDER, WHY DOES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ALLOW ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER (SATURN) TO PRODUCE ANOTHER FAULTY PRODUCT? THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166989August 29, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
CORRECTION OF INFORMATION IN PREVIOUS SUBMISSION #10166978. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165133August 10, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
I CALLED MR.AKINBUSOLA DESOLA AKINTOLA HARRISON ON 08/03/06 FOR '99 SATURN SL2 FOR SALE OVER CRAIGS LIST WEB-SITE DATE 08/02/06AD#[email protected]. WHEN MEETING HIM IN PERSON I ASKED HIM IF THE CAR HAD ANY DAMAGES, ACCIDENTS OR PERHAPS TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAR. HE SAID THAT THE CAR IS IN PERFECT CONDITIONS ITS A CLEAN CAR, NO ACCIDENTS, NO DENTS THE CAR WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN I ASKED HIM TO BRING THE DMV PAPERWORK ALONG WITH REGISTRATION AND PINK SLIP HE ONLY BROUGHT THE DMV FORMS TO FILL OUT. THE SELLER LOST THE PINK SLIP, BUT WITH DMV FORM REG 227 YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A COPY. ONCE WE FINISHED WITH THE FORMS HE ASKED FOR THE PAYMENT TO BE IN CASH $2,500. AFTER THE TRANSACTION I DROVE HIM BACK TO HIS HOME. HE ADVISED ME TO CHANGE THE CARS BATTERY BECAUSE HE GOT THE WRONG ONE (A DIFFERENCE OF $30.00 ALREADY!) I HEADED BACK TO WORK & THIS CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE STILL DRIVING I PARKED IT OVER MY JOB'S PARKING LOT. I CHECKED THE REGISTRATION: WHICH WAS ISSUED ON 7/11/2006 PR/HIST: SALVAGE!!! HE MANAGED TO FOOL ME & MR.KHAN AS WELL! HE BROUGHT A PRINTED OUT SALES CONTRACT ALONG WITH THE DMV FORMS WHICH SEEMED FAIR. MR.AKINTOLA HARRISON KEPT THE VEHICLE'S REGISTRATION WITH HIM AT ALL TIMES UNTIL HE GOT THE PAPERS FILLED OUT, AND SIGNED AND THE $2,500.00 IN CASH. HE RELEASED THE CAR'S REGISTRATION PLACING IT IN BETWEEN OF ALL THE DVM DOCUMENTS. I CALLED HIM ON MONDAY 08/07/2006 UNTIL NOW ASKING HIM IN GOOD FAITH TO DO A FAIR EXCHANGE (THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVER WHERE I WORK SINCE I BOUGHT IT) IN A FRIENDLY MANNER I ASKED HIM TO GET MY MONEY BACK WITH NO HARD FEELINGS & WHEN CAN WE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE? I DID CHANGED THE BATTERY AS REQUESTED (A $30.00 LOSS ON ME)MR. HARRISON CALLED MY WORK NUMBER AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SPENT THE $2,500 ALREADY; INSTEAD I SHOULD BUY A NEW ALTERNATOR! PLEASE HELP ME WITH ADVICE IN HOW TO APPROACH THIS EVENT! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10159620June 12, 2006
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
I OWN A 1999 SL1 SATURN. ON WEDNESDAY 06/07/06, WHEN I WAS TAKING MY 23 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEAT WAS LOOSE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THE BUCKLE THAT HOLDS THE SEAT BELT (THE ONE THAT COMES UP FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAT) HAD COME UN-STITCHED. WHEN I PULLED ON THE BUCKLE IT CAME OUT IN MY HAND. I EMAILED SATURN THURSDAY MORNING AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT MY LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, SATURN OF BURLINGTON, ON FRIDAY AND SHOWED THEM THE PART AND TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT WITH THE AGE OF THE CAR, BEING 7 YEARS OLD, THE BEST SHE COULD DO FOR ME WAS 10% OFF THE PART. IT DIDN'T A MATTER TO HER THAT WE HAD ONLY BEEN USING THAT SEAT BELT FOR THE LAST 4 MONTHS, SINCE THE BIRTH OF OUR SON. THE PART COSTS APPROXIMATELY $49.00. IT IS NOT THE COST THAT BOTHERS ME, IT IS THE "NOT MY PROBLEM" ATTITUDE THAT BOTHERS ME. I WAS EVEN GOING TO PUT THE BUCKLE IN MYSELF. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED I CALL THE SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP UPSET THAT THEY DIDN'T SEE THE ENORMITY OF THE SITUATION. I LATER CALLED SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TALKED WITH MELISSA. AFTER EXPLAINING THE EMAIL THAT I SENT THURSDAY, THE CONVERSATION AT SATURN OF BURLINGTON, AND MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE SEAT BELT FAILURE, SHE OFFERED ME A ONE TIME $50.00 INCONVENIENCE GIFT CERTIFICATE THAT I COULD USE AT ANY SATURN DEALERSHIP. HOW CAN SATURN TAKE SEAT BELT FAILURE SO LIGHTLY? WE ARE EXPECTED TO BUCKLE UP EVERY TIME WE GET IN THE CAR, BUT WHAT IS THE POINT IF THE MANUFACTURER OF THE GIVEN VEHICLE DOESN'T NEED TO HOLD UP THEIR END OF THE BARGAIN. MAYBE WE ONLY NEED TO BUCKLE UP IN A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN 7 YEARS OF AGE SINCE FAULTY SEATBELTS COULD BE A GIVEN. IF WE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I FOUND THE BUCKLE WAS UN STITCHED, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY 23 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER, & MY 4 MONTH OLD SON SEATED RIGHT BESIDE HER? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158318May 26, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 TO 20 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/15/06.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156520May 1, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, AIR BAGS
OUR 99 SATURN SL2 SEDAN WAS INVOLVED IN A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE SATURN WAS FIRST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FIRST AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THEN SLAMMED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF OUR CAR WHICH WAS STOPPED. THE SEAT BACK BROKE (TO THE RECLINE POSITION). FURTHER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. LUCKILY THE SEAT BELTS WERE BEING WORN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, AND NO INJURIES OCCURRED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150842February 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS
1999 SATURN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONTAL IMPACT. THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. *TS THE SEAT BELT WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10144395December 4, 2005
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAS COME LOOSE SEVERAL TIMES. SATURN DEALER HAS RETIGHTENED IT. I HAVE RETIGHTENED IT. DEALER HAS RETIGHTENED IT AGAIN. I HAVE RETIGHTENED IT AGAIN. DEALER HAS NEVER OFFERED OR SUGGESTED AN ACTUAL REPAIR TO STOP THESE REPEATED LOOSENING OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143488November 22, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999 SATURN SL1 44300 MILES ON IT. 3-4 WEEKS AGO COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED COOLANT LEVEL WAS FINE BUT MILKY SUBS FLOATING ON TOP. CHECKED WITH RADIATOR SHOP, SUGGESTED FLUSH SYSTEM AND REPLACE COOLANT. 2 WEEKS LATER OIL LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED OIL, NONE ON DIP STICK (3 WEEKS AFTER OIL CHANGE). ADDED OIL AND VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 15-20 MILES AND BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SATURN OF MONROVIA WHERE THEY FOUND A CRACKED BLOCK. DEALERSHIP AND SATURN CORP. ARE NOT WILLING TO COVER FIXING THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THERE ARE STILL PROBLEMS WITH THESE ENGINES. EARLIER MODELS HAD WARRANTIES EXTENDED TO 6 YEAR/100,000 MILES. SATURN CORP. STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS PAST THAT WARRANTY AND I AM OUT OF LUCK. I THINK THAT SATURN SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE AS THEY KNOW OF THE DEFECTS BUT CONTINUE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY ALMOST $2,000 TO HAVE THIS DEFECT FIXED. I DO HAVE RECEIPTS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE (LESS THEN A YEAR) AND MY BROTHER OWNED THE VEH. PRIOR BUT DIDN'T USE SATURN EXCEPT TWICE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE SINCE THEY WERE NOT CLOSE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHILE HE LIVED IN TEXAS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10142841November 16, 2005
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA THE VEHICLE LIGHTLY HIT A CURB. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UNDER 5 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. HOWEVER, THE SERVICE MANUAL SAID THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY FROM AN IMPACT WHILE TRAVELING 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UNDER 5 MPH. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10136162September 12, 2005
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I PURCHASED MY SATURN SL2 4-DOOR BRAND NEW IN 1999 WITH ONLY 10 MILES ON IT. IT WAS A PERFECT CAR UNTIL IT OVERHEATED ONE DAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD ME TO USE ONLY DEX-COOL IN MY ENGINE. SO I WALKED AND PURCHASED SOME AND WENT ON MY WAY. SINCE THAT TIME MY ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY GETS OVERHEATED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THE RADIATOR CAP AND NOW THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A CRACKED RADIATOR HEAD WITH WARPED GASKETS WHICH WILL COST TOO MUCH FOR ME DUE TO MY BEING ON DISABILITY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 94,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY. I FEEL THAT DEX-COOL OR THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IN FIXING MY VEHICLE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10135303September 4, 2005
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I WAS TURNING ONTO A STREET THAT WAS DOWN TO ONE LANE DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. THE WOMAN WHO LET ME TURN ONTO THE STREET "HEARD TIRES SQUEALING" AND THOUGHT I WAS SPEEDING UP (THOUGH I WAS NOT MOVING DUE TO TRAFFIC INCHING FORWARD SLOWLY) AND SHE HIT THE GAS TO SPEED UP. SHE REAR-ENDED ME SO HARD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, I HIT THE GUY IN FRONT OF ME AND AT THE SAME TIME MY SEAT BACK FELL BACKWARD ONTO THE BACK SEAT (RECLINING POSITION). WHEN THE SEAT RECLINED, IT MADE IT TRICKY TO REACH THE BRAKE, CLUTCH OR ACCELERATOR SO I HAD TO THROW ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PREVENT ANY FURTHER BUMPER CARS! THE SEAT NOW SEEMS TO BE "STRIPPED" AND THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE MAKES IT GO "CLICK CLICK CLICK" BACK TO A RECLINING POSITION. I AM WAITING FOR THE PART TO COME IN TO FIX IT BUT THAT ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I DID NOT HAVE MY HEAD ABOUT ME AND HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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