Saturn SL Complaints (1996)

287 consumer complaints on file.

#840434June 18, 1999
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WITHOUT WARNING AND HIT A CURB, REASON UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#705822April 20, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS AS A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD; AS A RESULT, COOLANT AND COOLANT SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED WITH OIL; ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. DESPITE COMMENT BY SATURN OF THOUSAND OAKS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH "THE PROCESS" WITH 1996 SATURNS, SATURN CORP. DENIES CAUSE IS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I KNOW OF AT LEAST ONE OTHER 1996 SL1 PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHICH EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM IN JUNE/98. BOTH CARS WERE PURCHASED NEW AND WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#836818April 19, 1999
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SEAT BACK FELL BACK WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS GOING ABOUT 35 MPH, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835990April 13, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE HAS A DESIGN FLAW. ANITI-FREEZE GETS INTO THE OIL. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#835938March 17, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER BACKED OUT DRIVEWAY. ON RIGHT SIDE OF DRIVEWAY WHERE THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS SITTING, THERE WAS BROWN OIL/WATER MIXTURE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE RESERVOIR THERE WAS A COLORED LIQUID. MECHANIC DISCOVERED A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. CHECKED COMPUTER AND FOUND A BULLETIN--ID. #96-T-65A--ISSUED FEB. 1997,THAT DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704315March 11, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
/22/99 - AFTER NO RESPONSE FROM DON HUDLER, POSTED THIS EMAIL TO THE SATURN WEBSITE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#704327March 11, 1999
CHILD SEAT
I AM FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND A CHILD SAFETY RESTRAINT SEAT TO SAFELY FIT IN THE BACK SEAT OF MY SATURN. THE BACK SEAT IS AT TOO MUCH OF AN ANGLE. THE SATURN DEALERSHIP SAID FOR LEGAL REASONS THAT THEY COULD NOT COMMENT. I'VE SPOKEN WITH OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY RECOMMENDED STUFFING BOOKS OR TOWELS BETWEEN THE CAR'S BACK SEAT AND THE CHILD'S SEAT BASE TO LEVEL OUT THE BASE. THIS DOESN'T SOUND SAFE, BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. ANY INPUTFROM YOU WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#544329March 9, 1999
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
TRUNK LID CLOSES TOO EASILY, LID COLLAPSED ON CONSUMER ON TWO OCCASIONS RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE HEAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#781978February 26, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#703516February 19, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE HEAD HAS AN INTERNAL CRACK IN IT WHICH ALLOWS THE ENGINE OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COOLANT. I REALIZED THIS BECAUSE THERE WAS OIL IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. I WENT TO SATURN OF FT. LAUDERDALE, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY(I HAVE53,000MILES). I WAS ALSO TOLD IF I WANTED THEM TO FIX IT THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $300 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND IF IT WAS A CRACKED HEAD, IT WOULD COST ME AT LEAST $1200. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THEIR DIAGNOSES I WOULD HAVE 24 HOURS TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED OFF THEIR PROPERTY , DISASSEMBLED. THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY DENNY MCGEE (954)760-6340, SERVICE MANAGER FOR SATURN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IF I HAD NOT FOLLOWED EVERY SERVICE REQUIREMENT THAT SATURN DESCRIBES IN THEIR HAND BOOK I WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY COMPENSATION. AT THE MOST THEY MIGHT PAY FOR PARTS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR LABOR. I AM VERY ANGRY! I AM A TEACHER, AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO GAMBLE THAT SATURN "MIGHT PICK UP PART OF THE PRICE" MR. MCGEE SAID THEY MAY ONLY PICK UP 10%. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE PART. THE CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED AND MY MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CRACK IS BETWEEN TWO CHAMBERS WHERE THE OIL AND COOLANT CIRCULATE THROUGH THE ENGINE. HE OBTAINED USED REPLACEMENT PART AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THIS PART ALSO HAD A SIMILAR CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS ENGINE PART? I AM VERY DISILLUSIONED WITH THE SATURN COMPANY. THEY WERE VERY UNHELPFUL AND RUDE IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND I WANT THEM TO HELP PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE CAR THAT THEY SOLD ME! PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO. THANK YOU, SINCERELY, HEATHER RYAN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702382January 19, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I REALLY FEEL THAT A CAR THAT IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND HAVE ONLY 47000 MILES SHOULDN'T HAVE NEED A NEW ENGINE IN IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701516December 21, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE RPM WILL INCREASE TO 3500 WHETHER AT IDLE OR DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF , THE CAR WILLN'T START UNLESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THE FLOUR. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE CAR UPON BRAKING UNLESS THEY WERE TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO NUETRAL. IT IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE THAT SOME SATURN OWNERS AREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IF THEY OWN AN AUTOMATIC. IN THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (COMPLAINTS DATABASE) THERE WERE 8 OR 9 CASES OF BRAKE FAILURE . WERE THESE FAILURES AS A RESULT OF UNCONTROLLED RPM MOTOR SPEED? ODI ID 816070 INDICATED A PROBLEM WHICH MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THIS CONDITION. THIS PROBLEM IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS WILL LEAD TO PREMATURE BRAKE ROTOR AND PAD WEAR NOT TO MENTION THE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO STOP WITHIN THE ASSURRED NORMAL DISTANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#605087November 20, 1998
POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND PLUG FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#605080November 20, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKE ADJUSTER BENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#781464October 20, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER WAS DRIVING AND SET CRUISE CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEED, BEGAN TO EXIT, TOUCHED THE BREAK TO SHUT CRUISE OFF, CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT SHUT OFF. STOOD ON BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW VEHICLE, REMOVED PRESSURE MOMENTARILY AND VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE TO SET CRUISE SPEED, TURNED OFF CRUISE AT MAIN SWITCH, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, HIT GUARDRAIL, AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 55MPH IMPACT TO REAR FROM THE GUARDRAIL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#541990October 15, 1998
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DURING VEHICLE COLLISION SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER LOOSING SIGHT OF THE ROAD THEREFOR LOOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#828699October 7, 1998
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE JUST DIES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, DEALER STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BAD ALTERNATOR WHICH DESTROYED THE BATTERY. THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. BATTERY REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#538969August 11, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BRAKE PADS REPLACED FOUR TIMES, BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#826332August 5, 1998
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DOORS WOULD SWING OPEN FOR NO REASON. WOULD HAVE LOCKS (CHILD PROOF ALSO) ON. THE LOCK, SOMETIMES, FAILS TO KEEP THE DOOR LOCKED. HAD NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER FOR PARTS. WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#825991July 29, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN TURNING ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, AND WOULD NOT DECREASE SPEED WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. CONSUMER TRIED TO ENGAGE / DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, BUT ENGINE CONTINUE TO RUN AT HIGH RPMS. CONSUMER RESULTED TO USING HEAVY BRAKING TO CONTROL VEHICLE SPEED. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER, WHERE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO FORCE THROTTLE AND REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL. *AK *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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