Saturn SL Complaints

2,218 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#10159257June 7, 2006
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
I WAS TURNING AROUND SLOWLY UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CLUNKING/SCRAPING TYPE NOISES STEERING WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I HAVE CALLED SATURN REGARDING RECALL 97V138000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A 1995 SL AND MY VIN NUMBER MISSES THE RECALL STATUS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REMEDIED SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS PARTICULAR RECALL/PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158428May 27, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE, USING THE OFF SWITCH, OR DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH. ALSO, WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SPEED SLOWLY BUT STEADILY INCREASES. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, OR PRESS THE BRAKE UNTIL THE CAR STOPS AND THE ENGINE DIES. *NM
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
#10158325May 26, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE 2001 SATURN SL1 GAS PEDAL CONSTANTLY STICKS. IT IS HARD TO PUSH DOWN EITHER DRIVING FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE BRAKES MUST BE APPLIED BEFORE YOU CAN ENGAGE THE GAS PEDAL WHICH HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING UNDER THIS CONDITION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158245May 25, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT EXTRACT. THE DEALER DETERMINED BOTH RETRACTOR MODULES NEED TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157806May 18, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ELEVATED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE WERE MIXED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A FRACTURED ENGINE HEAD. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO AWAIT FURTHER INSPECTION.
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
#10156301April 27, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
SUNROOF MODULE TO BE REPLACED 2 YEARS AFTER THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED....*NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155070April 11, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HI, I HAVE A 1996 SATURN WITH VIN NUMBER [XXX] AND THERE IS A RECALL NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V307/ GM RECALL NO. 98C01 THAT APPLIES TO SATURNS OF MY MODEL BUILT FROM JULY 1995 TO FEBRUARY 1997. ACCORDING TO SATURN THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO VIN NUMBER RANGING FROM [XXX]TO [XXX], WHICH MY VEHICLES DOES NOT FALL. ACCORDING TO SATURN, HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT 12/1995, WHICH WOULD BE DURING THIS PERIOD. SINCE THERE IS ONLY ONE PLANT FOR WHICH THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN BUILT IT IS UNCLEAR HOW MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPLY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT I MAY NOT BE THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT FELL THROUGH THIS CRACK. MY HORN IS EXHIBITING THE EXACT FAILURE (HORN STICKING ON) THAT THE RECALL IS FOR. SATURN HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE THROUGH THE NHTSA? THANKS. *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155076April 11, 2006
CHILD SEAT, CHILD SEAT:HARNESS/CROTCH BUCKLE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BUCKLE BETWEEN THE LEGS FOR THE HARNESS WILL UNLATCH WHEN PULLED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THIS IS AN EVENFLO 3252245P1 MANUFACTURED MAY 25, 2005.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156228April 11, 2006
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2002 SL2 FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TS A DEFECT OR PRODUCT FAILURE IN THE COIL SPRING MOUNT, STRUT MOUNT OR TIE ROD RELEASED ENOUGH KINETIC ENERGY TO LIFT THE VEHICLE OFF THE PAVEMENT AND SHATTER THE WINDSHIELD AND BODY ND JETTISON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154974April 10, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25MPH, THE FUEL LINE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE FUEL LINE WAS REPAIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154711April 6, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER SEAT/SHOULDER BELT SYSTEM WOULD NOT RETRACT OR RELEASE ON MY 1997 SATURN 4-DOOR SEDAN. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RETRACTOR HAD "FROZEN" & I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE '97 SATURN SEAT BELTS FOR RETRACTOR DOING THE SAME THING IN THE 2 DR COUPE MODEL; I WAS TOLD MY MODEL WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND RARELY DOES THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT HAVE AN OCCUPANT. THE SEAT BELT WILL BE REPLACED AS WE NEED IT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AS WELL AS COMPLY WITH THE IL STATE LAW. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154356April 2, 2006
STEERING, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE STEERING SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE CLIMATE BLOWER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. IT HAS BROKEN DOWN 2 TIMES. THIS CAR IS A LEMON AND GM WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP WITH ANY PROBLEMS I HAVE.. THEY JUST GIVE ME THE RUN AROUND. AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED 1 TIME.. WHICH STILL NEVER CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.. THE SPEED OF THE WIPERS WHEN ON HIGH ARE SLOWER THEN MOST CARS RESULTING IN POOR VISION. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF WHEN I GOT IN TO A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 45 MPH.. THIS HAS TO BE THE WORST CAR OUT THERE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10154341April 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
1995 SATURN SL2 MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING FAILURE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PUSHED IN CLUTCH TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR AND HEARD A "POP". TRANSMISSION WENT INTO SOME GEAR (NOT FIRST), ENGINE STALLED AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS LOOSE AND FLOPPY. COASTED AROUND CORNER AND PARKED NEXT TO CURB. REPAIR NOT YET MADE. DISASSEMBLED CENTER CONSOLE TO EXPOSE SHIFTER MECHANISM AND FOUND BUSHING ON LOWER SHIFT CABLE HAD FAILED AND WAS IN 3 PIECES. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF BUSHING AND WAS TOLD BUSHING WAS INTEGRAL TO CABLE AND ENTIRE CABLE MUST BE REPLACED. COST OF PARTS $197.10 PLUS TAX. WILL PROBABLY END UP DRILLING THROUGH THE BALL AND BOLTING THE CABLE TO THE SHIFT LEVER ALTHOUGH THIS MAY FATIGUE SHIFTER CABLE AND ULTIMATELY REQUIRE CABLE REPLACEMENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC INSTEAD OF A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10154263March 31, 2006
PARKING BRAKE
I HAVE A 1997 SATURN SL2. THE "BUTTON" ON MY PARKING BRAKE HANDLE POPPED OFF THE OTHER DAY (03/27/2006), RELEASING MY PARKING BRAKE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT ON A STEEP HILL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR, OTHERWISE THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED AWAY. ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SUCH A TINY PIECE OF "PLASTIC" IS ALL THAT HOLDS THE PARKING BRAKE IN PLACE. ONCE THE BUTTON IS BROKEN, THERE IS NO WAY TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. I REALLY THINK THIS WARRANTS A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153296March 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING...WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE IT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE CAR HAS BEEN LIKE THIS! *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151329February 27, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THERE WAS STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME LOOSE AND REPLACED THE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150000February 10, 2006
AIR BAGS
DRIVER WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND HIT THE PARKING CURB JUST SLIGHTLY WHILE BRAKING. BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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