Saturn SL Complaints (1999)

178 consumer complaints on file.

#873901October 26, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE RAINING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS FELL OFF, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND HAD TO HAVE ARM OUT OF THE WINDOW TO HOLD WIPER AMR ON. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY ONLY TIGHTED UP THE BOLT. IT'S LOOSE AGAIN, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP OVER 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK THE DEALER STATES THAT WARM WEATHER CAUSES WIPERS TO STICK TO WINDOW. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#735010October 24, 2000
TIRES
THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRES ALONG WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DEVELOPED RATHER LARGE BLISTERS ON THE OUTSIDE SIDE WALLS. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR TO LIFT AND JERK. FIRESTONE WAS OF NO HELP TO US. THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO AND NEVER DID ADMIT ANY FAULT. WE ENDED UP REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES OUT OF OUR POCKETS WITH ANOTHER NAME BRAND FOR SAFETY SAKE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 15 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#556358October 21, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLED ON A RAINY DAY. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733751October 8, 2000
TIRES:SIDEWALL
IN THE YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, TWO OF THE FIRESTONE OEM TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED BLISTERS ON THE SIDEWALLS. ONE TIRE I HAVE REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE, THE OTHER IS STILL ON THE CAR. SATURN AND FIRESTONE EACH DENY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND REFER MY COMPLAINTS TO THE OTHER. (TIRESIZE: P185/65R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/65R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733624October 6, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT
NO CRASH ... YET. CAR HAS A SIGNIFICANT SHIMMY AT HIWAY SPEED, CAN ACTUALLY SEE AND FEEL FRONT END TRACKING RIGHT/LEFT IN A CONSTANT SHIMMY. GIVES VERY SCARY FEEL WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, ESPECIALLY ON CURVES. DEALER FIRST CLAIMED BAD TIRES, WHICH WERE REPLACED, THEN CLAIMED OUT OF BALANCE TIRES, WHICH THEY FIXED, THEN CLAIMED THIS IS NORMAL DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC AND NOT A DEFECT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#555515October 4, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE STALLED ALONG WITH BATTERY AND OIL LIGHT COMING ON, DEALER FOUND THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH TO BE DEFECTIVE. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#733118October 1, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAS TREAD SEPARATION. *AK (TIRESIZE: P185/65R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/65R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#870867September 19, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PUMPS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-65MPH STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ABOUT VEHICLE. OWNER WAS TOLD THAT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#869510September 5, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THERE WAS NO PRESSURE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#729008August 25, 2000
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH AS THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT, I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, SWERVED OVER A LANE THEN OFF THE HIGHWAY, HITTING THE CURB AND ENDING UP IN A GRASSY AREA. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND COURTESY PATROL ARRIVED TO ASSIST IN CHANGING THE TIRE. THEIR OBJECTIVE WAS TO IMMEDIATELY GET ME ON MY WAY, SO THE COURTESY WORKER THREW MY TIRE INTO THE TRUNK AND I LEFT. WHEN I GOT TO THE TIRE STORE WE EVALUATED THE TIRE AND 40% OF THE TIRE HAD SEPARATION. THE CAR HAS MAINTENANCE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES, SO TIRES WERE ROTATED AND PROPERLY INFLATED.( DOT NUMBER: W2EPBCA428 TIRE SIZE: P17570R14 )
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#554004August 24, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO REMEDY AND CONSIDERS THIS A TRAIT OF THE VEHICLE. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728248August 17, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES WITH ABS (I HAVE EXPERIENCE DRIVING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKING) TEND TO PROVIDE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES, ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS, WHERE NEAR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCED. DURING BRAKING, THE BRAKES WILL FEEL AS IF THEY ARE ONLY PARTIALLY APPLIED, SO MORE PRESSURE IS PLACED ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE, EVENTUALLY DEPRESSING IT FULLY, WITHOUT ANY FURTHER BRAKING RESPONSE. THE CAR FEELS AS IF IT IS GLIDING ON ICE AND SIMPLY SLIDES TO A STOP IN ABOUT TWO TO THREE TIMES THE TYPICAL STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CAR DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IT IS GOING TO STOP AT ALL AND FEELS, INSTEAD, AS IF IT IS GOING TO CONTINUE ROLLING. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE SATURN DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM, YET THEY CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS (IDENTICAL SATURN CARS PROVIDED WHILE THIS CAR WAS IN THE SHOP DID NOT EXPERIENCE SIMILAR BRAKING PROBLEMS, THEY HAD HIGHER MILEAGE AND STOPPED WITHOUT INCIDENT). THIS ISSUE HAS RESULTED IN ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS UNDER 40 MPH (3/8/99 @ 596 MILES) AND HAS RESULTED IN AT LEAST TWELVE OTHER NEAR COLLISIONS. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM THEY HAVE SANDED THE FRONT PADS (6,554 MILES), REPLACED THE FRONT PADS (11,385 MILES BRAKES WERE GRINDING, FOUND FRONT ROTORS AND PADS TO BE OVERHEATED AND GLAZED, ONLY 40% REMAINING ON PADS), AND RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS (6,554 AND 11,385 MILES). THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO GO IN AGAIN TO HAVE ITS BRAKES INSPECTED AND ROTORS RESURFACED AT ONLY 22,500 MILES (BRAKING QUALITY IS DEGRADING AND THE VEHICLE AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, PULSATES, AND VIBRATES DURING BRAKING). NEITHER MY WIFE OR I FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW IF IT WILL STOP EVERY TIME AND HOW MANY CAR LENGTHS IT WILL TAKE TO FINALLY COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKING PROBLEM IS SOMEWHAT MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE CRUSE CONTROL IS SWITCHED TO THE ON POSITION, EVEN IF IT IS NOT ACTUALLY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLES SPEED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#866525August 1, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT ROTORS ARE MAKING A RUMBLING NOISE DEALER HAD ADVISED CONSUMER TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT DUE TO "FLAKING PROBLEMS" WITHIN THE ROTORS. AS PER MECHANIC FRONT ROTORS LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE DISINTEGRATING. WEAR OUT OF ROTORS AND BRAKES COULD CAUSE AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#865748July 20, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
POSITION OF HORN BUTTON IS TOO LOW ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TOO SMALL, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FIND OR USE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MANUFACTURER HAS IMPROVED THE DESIGN IN NEWER MODELS, BUT NOT FOR OLDER MODELS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#865139July 10, 2000
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
REPORTING PROBLEM WITH MANUAL SEAT LATCH, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT IN PLACE; SEAT CONTINUE TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH UNTIL HER HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO SECURE SEAT. *AK THE DRIVER CAN'T REACH THE PEDAL WHEN THE SEAT MOVES BACK. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#724034June 14, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#723674June 6, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY, I CAME TO A STOP AT THE END OF THE RAMP AT A RED LIGHT, THE AUTO STALLED, I TRIED TO RESTART IT WITHOUT SUCCESS, I THEN SAW BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BY THE THME THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE MELTED, AS WAS THE FENDERS AND FRONT BUMPER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#722104April 29, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS STARTED TO WARP AT ~15000 MILES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT I MOSTLY CLUTCH-BRAKE AND THOSE 15000 MILES WERE NOT CITY TRAFFIC. THE DEALER QUICKLY TURNED THE ROTORS UNDER AT NO CHARGE TO ME, HOWEVER I FEAR THAT THEY MAY FAIL AGAIN. I SUGGEST THAT THIS MAY BE A DESIGN ISSUE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#859936April 10, 2000
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
WHEN LIFTING THE TRUNK CONSUMER'S FINGER WAS CUT ON A SHARP EDGE NEAR THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK. CONSUMER WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WHERE RECEIVED EIGHT STITCHES. *AK *ML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#720032March 13, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND TRUN LEFT, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED, I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL AND THE CAR CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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