1996 Saturn SL

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* - THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE BRAKES ON 1996 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SHE WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER CAR. SHE THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH GAVE NO RESISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE BEING CUT OFF THE BRAKES DID WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER SHE PUMPED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH UNTIL SHE REACHED HER DESTINATION AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS BRAKE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY DECEMBER 5, 2006. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS A NICE DAY, AND THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE CONTACT PULLED MUSCLES IN HER BODY, AND WAS CURRENTLY ON MUSCLE RELAXANTS. THE CONTACT ASKED THE SATURN DEALER FOR THE DAMAGED PARTS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE THROWN AWAY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES PULSATING AND GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CONTACT STATED HAD BRAKE WORK DONE IN 2001 AT 36,000 MILES, THE BRAKE CALIPERS HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY THE RHODE ISLAND STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. *AK

• 12/27/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  BRAKE FAILURE, DRIVING AT SPEED OF 15 MPH, FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00, APPLIED BRAKES, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK *SLC

• 12/26/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE CAR WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.

• 12/26/2000· POWER TRAIN

  AFTER DRIVING FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE VEHICLE SLAMS INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NLM

• 12/26/1995· STRUCTURE

  ON THE EDGE OF DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE FINGERS CAN BECOME INJURED, THE EDGES ARE VERY SHARP. TT

• 12/23/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THAN BACKFIRED, FINALLY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START UP WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND ANYWHERE. *AK

• 12/21/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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.

• 12/18/1995· SEAT BELTS

  WHEN DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCK UP . TT

• 12/10/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN TRYING TO RESET THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UP TO 70 MPH. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS ACCELERATOR PEDAL POPPED UP, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. *AK *PH

• 12/05/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED APPROX. 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BECAUSE OF A CRACKED CYLINDER WHICH ALLOWED THE OIL AND COOLANT TO MIX. THIS NOVEMBER 2001 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ONCE MORE. A CRACKED CYCLINDER HEAD, OIL AND COOLANT MIXED. SATURN CORP. PAID FOR 1/2 ($720) THE COST OF THE REPAIR BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY THE OTHER HALF. HAS THIS PROBLEM BEEN REPORTED WITH OTHER SAME OR SIMILAR MODELS?*AK

• 12/05/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  FAILURE OF THE ABS BRAKES, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 60 MPH AND THE CRUISIE CONTROL WAS ON, THE CONSUMER APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE A COLLISION. *AK

• 12/05/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE IN GARAGE, BRAKES FAILED/WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR AND HIT DOOR DIVIDING GARAGE AND HOUSE. *AK

• 12/04/1996· STRUCTURE

  DOOR CHECK LINKS BROKE SIX TIMES. *AK

• 12/02/1997· VISIBILITY

  WINDSHIELD HAS A CLOUDY GLARE ON THE OUTSIDE.

• 11/30/2001· SEATSCrash

  WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED US. OUR 22-MONTH OLD SON WAS IN HIS CAR SEAT IN THE REAR, BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER OUR VEHICLE WAS HIT, THE SEAT LATCH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT RELEASED. THE SEAT FULLY RECLINED, STRIKING OUR SON IN THE FACE. HE SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN HIS FACE AS A RESULT. IF THE SEAT LATCH HAD NOT RELEASED, HE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED DURING THE CRASH.*AK

• 11/29/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  LOSS OF COOLANT DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

• 11/20/1998· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER CABLE AND PLUG FAILED.

• 11/20/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE ADJUSTER BENT.

• 11/19/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED WHILE I WAS COMMUTING HOME FROM WORK. IT COST ME 2000.00 PLUS TO REPAIR. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR UP TO 100,000 MILES. OF COURSE I WAS ABOUT 7,000 OVER THAT. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFO ON ANY PROBLEMS TO LOOK OUT FOR FROM THE DEALER. PRIOR TO THIS I DID NOTICE MY COOLANT WAS DISCOLORED SO I HAD THE FLUID REPLACED. I DID NOT SUSPECT ANY INTERENAL ENGINE PROBLEMS. I WANT TO KNOW WHO I CAN GET IN CONTACT WHITH TO GET A REFUND OF MY MONEY. I. *AK

• 11/17/2014· ENGINE

  I NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED. IF I AM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE KEEP GOING 3/4 TOWARDS THE RED, THEN GOES BACK VERY SLOWLY TO THE MIDDLE. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY GASKET. THIS WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,200. *TR

• 11/15/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAULTY ALTERNATOR (SAME FAILURE IN FRIEND'S '96 SATURN LS1 AT SAME MILEAGE) DANGER TO DRIVER BECAUSE OF ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND INABILITY TO SIGNAL OTHER CARS.*AK

• 11/13/1997· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TRUNK LID IS MISALIGNED AND LATCH IS FAULTY IN WHICH OWNER HAS DIFFICULTY IN TRUNK STAYING CLOSED.LOCK ALSO MALFUNTIONS.OWNER FEARS TRUNK MAY COME UP WHILE DRIVING.POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. *AK

• 11/13/1996· AIR BAGS

  AFTER HITTING THE CURB, BOTH AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT 2-3 MPH.

• 11/09/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 11/06/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHEN DIMMING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT WITH ON OFF SWITCH AND DIMMER SWITCH ON SAME SWITCH EASY TO SHUT LIGHT OFF AT HIGH SPEEDS AND OPOSING TRAFFIC UNABLE TO SEE YOU AND WITH ALL INTERIOR LIGHT NOW SHUT OFF AT 55 MPH YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WATCH TRAFFIC AND GET LIGHTS BACK ON

• 11/05/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INTERIOR JUNCTION BOX FAILED.*ET

• 11/05/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES FAILED .*ET

• 11/05/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ERG VALVE AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS HAVE FAILED AFTER FAILURE OF THE JUNCTION BOX.*ET

• 11/05/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED DUE TO IMPROPER GAPPING FROM FACTORY.*ET

• 11/05/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKE PARTS CORRODED CAUSING DAMAGE TO ROTORS AND CALIPERS.*ET

• 11/05/1999· POWER TRAIN

  ODOMETER FAILED.*ET

• 11/05/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ALTERNATOR FAILED.*ET

• 11/04/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT

  THE FUEL LINE IN THIS CAR IS EXPOSED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, AND TWICE NOW (ON 11/3/05 AND EARLIER IN 12/2003) THE FUEL LINE HAS RIPPED AND GASOLINE HAS SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. THE GASOLINE SPILL OBVIOUSLY CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

• 11/04/2005· POWER TRAINCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED GEAR SHIFTER BROKE. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. CURRENTLY, THE SHIFTER BROKE AGAIN. THIS RESULTED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. SHE SPOKE TO A MECHANIC. HE WAS COMING TO GET THE VEHICLE AND REPAIR IT. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO SATURN OR GENERAL MOTORS.*AK

• 11/04/2005· POWER TRAINCrash

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THEN, THE SHIFTER BROKE AGAIN. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE AFOREMENTIONED MECHANIC WAS COMING TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS.*AK

• 11/04/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  GAS GAUGE FAILED.

• 11/03/2004· STEERINGCrash

  REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE RECALL OF 1990-96 SATURN SL. *BF THE WRITER'S SON WAS KILLED IN AND ACCIDENT IN WHICH, PER WITNESS STATEMENTS, HER SONS VEHICLE VEERED SHARPLY LEFT AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SOME TYPE OF DEFECT CAUSED HER SON'S ACCIDENT. *NM

• 11/03/2000· SEATSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND UPON IMPACT DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

• 10/29/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE VIBRATED BEFORE THE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. *AK

• 10/28/2000· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH APPROX 24000 MILES. SEEMED FISHY AT FIRST BUT DEALERSHIP INSURED ME THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ONLY A WEEK FROM PURCHASE. DID NOT LOOK LIKE DEALERSHIP SERVICED ENGINE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED THEM OF THE OIL LIGHT. THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND TO BRING IT IN, THEY JUST BRUSHED IT OFF AS A SHORT. WHEN QUESTIONING THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE SERVICING OF THE CAR, THEY REPLIED "YOU SHOULD NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING." NOW HERE I AM WITH A CAR THAT HAS ONLY (SUPPOSEDLY) 33000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE IS NO GOOD. HAROLD MOTORS LAUGHS IN OUR FACE WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ENGINE. THEY WILL NOT HELP US IN ANY WAY NOR WILL SATURN. FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 33000 MILES ON IT, I CANNOT SEE IT BREAKING, ESPECIALLY THE ENGINE WHICH SATURN BRAGS ABOUT IN EVERY COMMERCIAL. WE ARE AT A STANDSTILL TRYING TO CONTACT SATURN TO ALLEVIATE THIS PROBLEM. WITH THE ENGINE BREAKING WITH ONLY 33000 MILES ON IT, IT IS DEFECTIVE. SATURN HAS DEFECTIVE ENGINES ON THEIR SL1 MODELS IN 1996, SO THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. THE QUOTE FOR A NEW ENGINE IS 3400.00 WHICH WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY . THANK YOU. *AK

• 10/27/1997· POWER TRAIN

  ODOMETER FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· POWER TRAIN

  SPEEDOMETER FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILED.

• 10/27/1997· VISIBILITY

  SUN ROOF FAILED.

• 10/25/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHEN TRAVELING DOWN AN INCLINE ABOUT 25 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALSO, EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGANGED IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

• 10/24/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE HORN DOES NOT WORK. WHEN I LOOKED UP A RECALL THIS IS WHAT I FOUND.: RECALL DATE:12-07-1998 UNITS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED:64,199 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:98V307000 DEFECTIVE PART OR COMPONENT:COMMUNICATIONS:HORN ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION:VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED OR SERVICED WITH A HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD FAIL. THE HORN COULD EITHER BECOME INOPERABLE OR ACTIVATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HORN ASSEMBLY. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER COLE GILMORE IN PORTAGE, MICHIGAN. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 10/24/1996· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  ENGINE MALFUNCTION NOT CORRECTED DESPITE BEING SERVICED 7 TIMES AND REPLACING: SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, FUEL INJECTORS, AND VALVES. FRONT DRIVER'S WINDOW EXPLODED BECAUSE OF MALFUNCTIONING ELECTRONIC SWITCH--CAUSED INJURY TO DRIVER. OWNERS WISH TO HAVE MONEY BACK OR REPLACEMENT.

• 10/23/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SOMETIMES WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE, ON ONE OCCASION WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, HAS ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKES . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

• 10/22/1997· STRUCTURE

  KEY REMOTE MODULE FOR KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED.

• 10/22/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS BRAKE FAILURE , WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES THEY MAKE A GRINDING NOISE, AND THERE IS COMPLETE LOSS OF EFFECTIVENESS. *AK