Saturn SL Complaints (1999)

178 consumer complaints on file.

#11329753June 19, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I JUST RECEIVED A 1999 SATURN SL 2 SERIES A YEAR AGO FROM MY MOTHER FOR MY VERY FIRST CAR. I GOT IT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES AND IT IS NOW CURRENTLY AT 122,446. I NOTICED ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE I WOULD BE DRIVING, USUALLY AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MILES AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING, MY GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. I KEPT UP WITH JUST ABOUT MONTHLY OIL CHANGES, ACCOMPANIED BY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF. MY TRANSMISSION OIL HAS NEVER BEEN LOW. THEN, ABOUT 4 DAYS AGO I WENT TO LEAVE FROM MY WORK ORIENTATION, AND I COULDN?T BACK UP MY CAR FROM MY PARKING SPOT, THE REVERSE HAD WENT OUT. SO I PUT THE CAR BACK IN DRIVE, THEN BACK TO REVERSE THINKING MAYBE IT DIDN?T GO INTO REVERSE ALL THE WAY AND IT DID NOT WORK. I REVVED UP THE ENGINE, NOTHING HAPPENING UNTIL I DID IT PRETTY HARD, AND EVENTUALLY IT STARTED ROLLING BACK A LITTLE. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS WAS A PRETTY BIG ISSUE OR NOT, AND I REALIZE I SEE IT A LOT IN 1999 SATURNS. A RECALL I BELIEVE WOULD BE THE BEST OPTION FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE AND WOULD FURTHER PREVENT PEOPLE FROM SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A MECHANIC AND IT?S CURRENTLY SITTING THERE NOW. I DON?T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO TELL ME. I BELIEVE IT COULD BE A SMALL PART THAT JUST NEEDS REPLACED, BUT I?M SURE THEY?RE GOING TO JUST HAVE ME PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS NOT WHAT I PREFER TO DO AS A 18 YEAR OLD COLLEGE STUDENT. ESPECIALLY IF THE CAR WAS ONLY 700$ THAT I PURCHASED IT FOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11074200February 21, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING MY NIECE'S AND NEPHEW WAS HOLDING ONTO THE BARS IN THE CEILING AND IT CAME OFF THE BARS IN THE CEILING WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WHOLE ROOF LINER CAME OFF I COULDN'T SEE I HAD TO PULL THE WHOLE LINER DOWN SO I WOULDN'T GET IN AN ACCIDENT I NOTICED AFTER I GOT HOME THE METAL BRACKETS THAT THE SCREWS WE'RE HOLDING ON WAS SPLIT I CANNOT FIX THEM BACK I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD AND WE ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED I HAVE LITTLE KIDS I TAKE CARE OF I FEEL IT'S A RECALL AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED THE BRACKETS AND THE LINER FELL OFF I THREW THE LINER AWAY THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION I WAS COMING FROM RICHMOND VA PICKED THEM UP TO COME TO MY MOM'S HOUSE IN KING WILLIAM VA I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 I HAVE MORE PICTURES THAN THIS ## VIN PASSED ## 1999 SATURN SL2 ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10766344September 21, 2015
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 11/23/15*LJ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10626736August 20, 2014
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE LOCK ON THE STEERING COLUMN IS TOO LOOSE TO BE TURNED EFFECTIVELY ONLY SOMEONE WHO HAS DRIVEN THE CAR FOR A WHILE KNOWS HOW TO GET THE KEY TO TURN SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE STARTED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618240August 1, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOST POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS LOST CONNECTION WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609952July 11, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAD DISOBEYED THE STOP SIGN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO A SNOW EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE THREE PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHEN DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10494953January 28, 2013
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. NO KNOWN CAUSE- POSSIBLY BAD SENSORS. IT BROKE MY THUMB AND BURNED MY ARM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10422268August 27, 2011
PARKING BRAKE
HAND BREAK BUTTON COMES OFF PREVENTING THE HAND BRAKE FROM LOCKING IN PLACE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401594May 8, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HAND BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON AND SPRING POPPED OUT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED AND PARKED ON A HILL (AS IT TYPICALLY IS), THIS CAR COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10351591August 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, PARKING BRAKE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE SHIFT CABLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. ON A LATER DATE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE RETURNED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD INDEPENDENTLY DISENGAGED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ORDER THE NECESSARY PART FROM THE DEALER TO MAKE REPAIRS HIMSELF. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT HAD HE BEEN PARKED ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302322January 26, 2010
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE
1999 SATURN SL PLASTIC GROMMET CONNECTION BETWEEN SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. JUST BROKE. APPARENTLY ENGINEERED WITH A MIND FOR OBSOLESCENCE RATHER THAN SAFETY OR DURABILITY. ENABLING A HIGH REPAIR COST FOR A 50 CENT BUSHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE AND SHIFTER. CHEAP FIX (TIME AND PART WISE) FOR CAR MANUFACTURER IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CONVENIENTLY COSTLY FOR OWNER WHEN CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281130August 19, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 1999 SATURN SL THAT I BOUGHT OFF A SATURN EMPLOYEE TWO MONTHS AGO; IT WAS MAKING A WHINING SOUND BUT SHE SAID THAT THE SOUND WAS BECAUSE IT HAD A NON STANDARD PART ON IT. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP ONCE OR TWICE AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK NOR START. I HAVE CHECKED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE STARTER-SOLENOID AND ALL WIRES AND CABLES. I HAVE ALSO CALLED SATURN AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE AND THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY RECALLS ON ANY OF THE PARTS ABOVE NOR ANY THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE CAR NOT TO CRANK OR START. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I BRING IT IN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259406February 19, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN AND TURNED TO CLOSE TO THE CURB AND BUMPED IT AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DEALER SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX, THAT I SHOULD CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MAKE A CLAIM. MY INSURANCE SAYS THAT IF I MAKE A CLAIM I COULD BE CANCELED SINCE I HAVE TWO PRIOR CLAIMS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. ALL I DID WAS CATCH THE CURB WITH THE SIDE OF MY FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER SAYS IT WILL COST $2,100.00 TO REPAIR. THE CAR IS A 1999 SATURN SL AND IS NOT WORTH THAT. EVEN IF I COULD FILE WITH MY INSURANCE THEY WOULD TOTAL THE CAR BECAUSE IT WOULD COST MORE TO REPAIR THAN IT IS WORTH. I BOUGHT THE CAR 11/26/08 AND HAVE ALREADY HAD TO PUT A NEW WATER PUMP IN IT AND NOW THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257634February 5, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
THERE ARE PINS HOLDING TOGETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MANUAL AND STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PIN GETS WORN OUT AND FALLS OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS TO EXPLODE OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CHUNKS OF METAL TO FALL AND HIT THE PAVEMENT LEAVING HAZARDS ON THE ROAD WAY AND IN THE PROCESS CAUSES TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL BY LOCKING UP BOTH FRONT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS A VICTIM OF THIS AND ALMOST STRUCK A VEHICLE HEAD ON AND IN THE PROCESS HIT SEVERAL OBSTACLE BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAM TO REST IN A DITCH. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT AAMCO TRANSMISSION IN TULSA OK. ALL THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PINS ARE COMING FROM THEM. THIS HAPPENS IN ALL 1999 SATURN SL AND SL2 VEHICLES WITH THE STANDARD AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. MY VEHICLE IS THE 1999 SATURN SL2 WITH THE SOHC 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT COMPLAINTS THERE ARE MANY BEARING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10254010January 6, 2009
TIRES
MICHELIN WEATHERWISE II B. TIRES HAVE POOR WET SURFACE BRAKING PERFORMANCE. VEHICLE NEEDS EXTRA DISTANCE TO STOP WHEN BRAKING ON WET ROADS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250683December 3, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
I BOUGHT A USED SATURN ON 8/23/08 FROM DESERT INN MOTORS, TOO MANY PROBLEMS AFTER 3 MONTHS , NEW BATTERY, BRAKE BAD, MOTOR PROBLEM TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, SO I TOLD THEM I'M NOT MAKING ANYMORE PAYMENTS, THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR BACK AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CAR, THEY REPO MY VEHICLE, SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247291October 30, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WITHIN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT JERKS VIOLENTLY. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CONSISTENT. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPON SPEAKING TO ONE OF THE ASSOCIATES AT THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY THINK THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS ... ITS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT WAIT UNTIL THE CAR DOES IT REGULARLY AND IT WILL COST APPROX $1200 TO FIX. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SATURN/GM NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236878August 4, 2008
SUSPENSION
SATURN IS RIPPING PEOPLE OFF BY MAKING THEM BUY A $250 PART JUST TO GET A $5 BUSHING. I THINK THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WHERE WE GET TO DECIDED WHAT WE REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236351July 30, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
OIL KEEPS COLLECTING IN THE WATER RESERVOIR SEEMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM VERY SUDDENLY TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THE HEAD MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS SO I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING OF A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED,AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE INFORMED ABOUT. WONDER IF THERE IS A MANUFACTURER FIX FOR THE PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234119July 13, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION 1999 SATURN SL2 1.8 LTR SOHC WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SHIFTER WENT LIMP. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. I FOUND IT WAS THE CHEAP PLASTIC SHIFTER BUSHING WHICH ATTACHES THE SHIFT CABLE TO THE STICK. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE, SATURN DOES NOT SELL THE BUSHING ONLY, WENT TO A JUNK YARD AND GOT THE PART FOR A DOLLAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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