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U.S. public vehicle records

Saturn SL electrical problems

106 complaint narratives mention electrical terms.

Key facts

2,218 owner complaints analyzed

15 distinct recall campaigns

75,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 to 2002 model years. Data updated: . 475 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Electrical and battery issues evidence

106 of 2,218 complaints match this topic (4.8%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

Owner report 715404 · 1999-11-29 (November 29, 1999)

I INQUIRED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT SATURN OF MONROVIA (MONROVIA,CA, 91016) IF THEY WERE AWARE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED PROBLEMS. THEY DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDER THE HOOD. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 715404 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 855821 · 2000-01-31 (January 31, 2000)

CONSUMER EXPERENCING PROBLEMS WITH REPLACING THE BATTERY. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 855821 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10066764 · 2004-04-07 (April 7, 2004)

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066764 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 507374 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)

DRIVER REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN 2ND GEAR, REPLACED GENERATOR WIRING AS PER SERVICE RECALL, ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507374 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 539549 · 1998-09-01 (September 1, 1998)

BATTERY FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 539549 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

2,218 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

21.4%Usable mileage475 / 2,218 records
83.3%Valid incident date1,847 / 2,218 records
100.0%Valid filing date2,218 / 2,218 records
83.2%Ordered incident and filing dates1,846 / 2,218 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
13.4%
ODI 807126

ENGINE OIL LEAK, GASKET OIL PAN RUSTED, CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, IN FOR REPAIR WILL PROVIDE INVOICE RECEIPT. *AK

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1713.8%
ODI 504568

PISTON RINGS FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BURN OIL EXCESSIVELY. *DH

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169.1%
ODI 10009241

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.*JB *TS

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258.7%
ODI 10093917

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED 2 OF THE COMPONENETS UNDER THE DASH ONE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UP IN THE CORNER AND THE OTHER UP BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. COOLING FAN DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY MUST KEEP THE AC ON FOR THE FAN TO WORK. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TO FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSORS HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO TROUBLE SHOOT, CAN'T FIND A REASON SO IT IS NOT FIXED JUST KEEP AC ON ALWAYS. CAR VIBRATES AND CAN'T FIND A REASON STILL LOOKING FOR PROBLEM, VIBRATES SO MUCH BODY PARTS ON FRONT ARE BECOM…

Look up ODI 10093917 at NHTSA ↗

339.3%
ODI 10006456 · 45,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT IS WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY A LEMON. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744336

Look up ODI 10006456 at NHTSA ↗

3110.8%
ODI 10005654 · 70,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY SATURN SL2 NEW IN 1996. AFTER 70,000 MILES IT STARTED USING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF OIL. OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED TO ECLIPSE 1 QT. FOR EVERY 500 MILES. MY OIL CHANGE SERVICE SAID SATURN ENGINES WERE NOTORIOUS FOR BAD RINGS. I TOOK TO SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY WANTED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR A NEW ENGINE. I REPLACED ENGINE WITH A SATURN ENGINE WITH 23,000 MILES. AFTER ANOTHER 40,000 MILES THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE EXHIBITED THE EXACT SAME BEHAVIOR. I NOW NEED TO PURCHASE A THIRD ENGINE.

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177.5%
ODI 10019532

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

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148.3%
ODI 10001275 · 11,979 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CAM SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE IDLE CONTROL WAS ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NM

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179.6%
ODI 10008758

THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED.*JB

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106.8%
ODI 10027114 · 45,000 mi

WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THE OIL PUMP FAILED. *AK *TS *JB

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76.3%
ODI 10011082 · 43,000 mi

2001 SATURN 1.9 LITER L4 SL2 5 SPEED. THE MANIFOLD GASKET WENT BAD CAUSING ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AND CAUSED THE WATER PUMP TO GO BAD. THE CAR HAD 46,000 MILES. *JB

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53.8%
ODI 10013802

2002 SATURN SL HAS 3 LEAKING SEALS. VERY DANGEROUS FOR A FIRE. REAR SEAL, OIL PAN GASKET AND CRANK CASE GASKET ALL LEAKING. DANGEROUS FOR SINGLE WOMEN ON THE ROAD. *JB

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

43.3%
ODI 507374

DRIVER REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN 2ND GEAR, REPLACED GENERATOR WIRING AS PER SERVICE RECALL, ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK

Look up ODI 507374 at NHTSA ↗

137.4%
ODI 10053882 · 35,000 mi

AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND PLACING THE GEAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL VEHICLE WILL JUMPED FORWARD, DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER OWNS FOUR OTHER SATURN VEHICLES. THREE OF THEM HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR VALVE BODY ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAD UNDER 50000 MILES ON THEIR ODOMETER'S. *NM

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175.9%
ODI 10093917

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED 2 OF THE COMPONENETS UNDER THE DASH ONE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UP IN THE CORNER AND THE OTHER UP BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. COOLING FAN DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY MUST KEEP THE AC ON FOR THE FAN TO WORK. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TO FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSORS HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO TROUBLE SHOOT, CAN'T FIND A REASON SO IT IS NOT FIXED JUST KEEP AC ON ALWAYS. CAR VIBRATES AND CAN'T FIND A REASON STILL LOOKING FOR PROBLEM, VIBRATES SO MUCH BODY PARTS ON FRONT ARE BECOM…

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185.1%
ODI 10006456 · 45,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT IS WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY A LEMON. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744336

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113.8%
ODI 10023280 · 81,000 mi

1996 SATURN SL1'S HAVE A PROBLEM REFERRED TO AS "DELAYED ENGAGEMENT IN REVERSE. WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IT WILL NOT MOVE, CAUSING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS DUE TO THE VALVE BODY ON THE TRANSMISSION WEARING EXCESSIVELY, ALLOWING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FLOW AROUND A POPPET BEFORE ENGAGING. SATURN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND SO ARE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR PLACES. SATURN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE PROBLEM AND AT ABOUT $1000 PER REPAIR PER VEHICLE SATURN HAS A VES…

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114.8%
ODI 10018432 · 91,328 mi

WE BROUGHT OUR SATURN INTO THE OAKLAND, CA DEALER FOR A TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS DEVELOPED SOME LEAKS AND CLUTCH / GEAR ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS. INITIAL QUOTE FROM THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER FOR REPAIR IS $2600.00+. EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED 12/31/02, AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE 94,904 MILE MARK. AT THE 91,328 MILEAGE MARK, THE DEALER PERFORMED AN "87,000 MILE" SERVICE, NOT A "90,000 MILE" SERVICE. WHY DIDN'T THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORM MY DAUGHTER THAT THE "90,000 MILE" SERVICE WAS DUE, WHICH INCLUDED A TRANSMISSION…

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1810.7%
ODI 10001275 · 11,979 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CAM SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE IDLE CONTROL WAS ADJUSTED AND THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED YET THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED IN REVERSE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *NM

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95.1%
ODI 10003575 · 30,550 mi

1999 SATURN SL2 WITH 30,500 MILES TRANSMISSION EXPLODED.

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2214.9%
ODI 10024819

WHEN VEHICLE IS ENGAGED IN REVERSE IT MAKES A TERRIBLE NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

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1412.6%
ODI 10053889 · 50,000 mi

AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND WHEN PLACING THE GEAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THAT VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN REPLACED. *AK

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1410.7%
ODI 10072203

WHEN PUTTING THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

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Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
26.9%
ODI 513637

WHILE LEANING BACK IN SEAT TO REACH INTO PANTS POCKET, THE SEATBACK FRAME BENT BACKWARDS, CAUSIN GTHE RECLINING CATCH TO RELEASE. *AK

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64.9%
ODI 10017680

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND WHEN THE SEAT RECLINED, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER. *JB

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126.9%
ODI 539614

VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. HAD BOTH FRON TAND RAE IMPACT. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK IN TIME TO PREVENT DRIVER FROM FALLING FORWARD, HITTING HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, SEATBACK COLLAPSED, DRIVER FELL BACKWARDS AND HIT BACK OF HEAD. SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

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2910.1%
ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

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3810.7%
ODI 10029595

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM, WITH DRIVERS CHAIR BREAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM THE BACK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME AT THIS CALL. *AK

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124.2%
ODI 10025482 · 46,500 mi

UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSES FROM SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE; REPAIRS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED PER CALIFORNIAS LEMON LAW FOR OUR 1996 SATURN SL1 WITH ONLY 46K MILES. ROTE TO GM & SATURN CEO'S. THEY LIE AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR CRAPPY PRODUCT. WE WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN!PER MY RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO EFFORT OF GOODWILL TO REIMBURSE AND FIX THE BELOW AFOREMENTIONED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE INFERIOR MATERIALS USED IN BUILDING OUR SATURN VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WE NEED REIMBURSEMENT F…

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62.6%
ODI 550684

DURING COLLESION DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF GAS TANK ASSEMBLY CAP CAME OFF AND REAR WHEEL BED AND TANK WRAPPED AROUND EACH OTHER RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. YH

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42.4%
ODI 10169896

DURING A REAR END COLLISION THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED TO FULL RECLINE POSITION. LEAVING ME WHICH MORE SEVERE INJURIES THAN I SHOULD HAVE SUSTAINED. *NM

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63.4%
ODI 10014740 · 76,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE FRONT SEATS RECLINED BACKWARDS. *JB

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42.7%
ODI 10072146

WHILE STOPPING VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. AFTER THE COLLISION BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED AND FELL BACK ONTO REAR SEATS.*AK

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32.7%
ODI 746284

FREEWAY TRAFFIC SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. I STOPPED BUT WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND PUSHED INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. I SUSTAINED MINOR BACK, HIP, BRUISED STOMACH MUSCLES AND KNEE INJURIES THAT I FEEL WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED OR MUCH LESS SEVERE HAD THE SEAT BACK HELD. I'M HAVING A PROBLEM COMPREHENDING GMS CONTENTION THAT THE SEAT BACK YIELDING IS A DESIRABLE RESPONSE TO THIS OR ANY SITUATION (AND THE FACT THAT THEIR PRODUCT ADHERES TO ALL RELEVANT STANDARDS, ETC).*AK

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53.8%
ODI 10051952 · 25,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

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Vehicle Speed Control
26.9%
ODI 822021

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, AND DRIVING OVER CURVES WITHOUT STOPPING, SHE FINALLY STOPPED IT BY PULLING THE IGNITION KEY ON A MALL PARKING LOT. *AK

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54.1%
ODI 747891

ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND BATTERY REPLACED 5 TIMES. NOW EXPERIENCING SURGING, HESITATION AND STALLING, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE AFTER FOUR TRIPS. *AK

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179.7%
ODI 484682

CRUISE CONTROL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON A DOWN GRADE FREEWAY. *AK

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3311.5%
ODI 10532626 · 86,000 mi

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WHILE ENGAGED, AND, IF LEFT ALONE, WILL RANDOMLY REENGAGE TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN CAUSE A SURGE OF ACCELERATION (AS MUCH AS ONE CAN EXPECT FROM A SATURN, ANYHOW) IF SPEED HAS SLOWED DUE TO TRAFFIC. *TR

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174.8%
ODI 501334

FRONT BRAKES GRIND, DUE TO LEFT CALIPER FAILURE.

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103.5%
ODI 10299775 · 76,824 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT HAD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HARNESS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,824. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10

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94.0%
ODI 10015331

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

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31.8%
ODI 753785

MY MOTHER AND I WERE DRIVING SOUTH ON I-95, MILE MARKER 277 (NORTH OF DAYTONA) WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET FOR 72 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE, AND AS I APPROACHED A CAR GOING SLOWER, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL. IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF, SO I MOVED TO THE LEFT LANE AND TRIED REPEATEDLY TO RELEASE IT. I WAS ABOUT THE HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR INFRONT OF ME, AND IT SEEMED LIKE I WAS ACCELERATING RATHER THAN DECELERATING. I COULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO WENT INTO THE MEDIAN STRIP, AND STILL WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN.IT SEEMED …

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31.7%
ODI 10040051 · 29,000 mi

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP MOTOR REVVED, BUT VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

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53.4%
ODI 10107479 · 100,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATEED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

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10.9%
ODI 746638

THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE. WE ARE PRIOR YEAR (1993, 1997 (2), AND 1998) SATURN OWNERS. FOR THE PRIOR YEARS, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS LOCATED ON THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE HORN BUTTONS WERE LOCATED ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OWNERS BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT THE STANDARD LOCATION FOR HORNS ON GM OR OTHER MODELS. IN 1999 OR 2000, SATURN MOVED THE HORN TO THE TYPICAL LOCATION (CENTER OF STEERING WHEEL OVER THE AIRBAG). THEY REPLACED THE HORN BUTTONS WITH THE CURISE CONTROLS. 4-6 WEEKS …

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10.8%
ODI 8009277

WHILE DRIVING IT IS HARD FOR BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE RPMS RACED AND WOULD NOT IDLE DOWN. DRIVER HAD HAS TO APPLY BRAKES VERY HARD. DEALER REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. *TT

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Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

21.6%
ODI 10115235

1995 SATURN SL2, INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IN MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION. *BF PORTIONS OF THE AIR BAG FABRIC MELTED THE INTERNAL COMPONETS OF THE MODULE. *JB

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74.0%
ODI 484821

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIRBAG DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *SD

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186.3%
ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

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267.3%
ODI 10139509

DT: 1995 SATURN SL1 4 DOOR. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES . HOWEVER, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, AND DEALERSHIP INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES, AND THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FRONT AIRBAGS . CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE C…

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113.8%
ODI 506320

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG IN FRONT END COLLISION.

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125.3%
ODI 10046330 · 104,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

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31.8%
ODI 10130786

MY BROTHER WAS KILLED JUNE 24, 2005, IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. HE WAS DRIVING A 1998 SATURN SL ON AN INTERSTATE IN MISSISSIPPI, THE SATURN WENT OUT OF CONTROL, HIS SEATBELT (WHICH HE ALWAYS WORE) AND HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE CAR. SINCE HIS DEATH, I'VE FOUND ON NHTSA'S SITE ALMOST 30 DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS FROM 1998 SATURN SLY OWNERS DESCRIBING SERIOUS FAILURES OF THAT CARS STABILITY, BRAKES, STEERING, AND AIR BAGS---ALL OF WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVERS IN THE 30 COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND ALL STATED THAT THE…

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126.7%
ODI 10015833 · 39,000 mi

THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. *JB TURNED INTO PARKING SPACE AND BUMPED UNDER CAR ON CURB. BENDING THE SWAY BAR BRACKET BUT DID NOT TOUCH CAR BODY OR BUMPER.*TS

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21.4%
ODI 10237300 · 82,176 mi

SIDEWALL EXPLODED WHILE ENTERING A DRIVEWAY. BOUGHT THE SAME TIRE AS A REPLACEMENT AND IT DEVELOPED A GIANT SIDEWALL BUBBLE IN A FEW THOUSAND MILES THAT JUST RUPTURED...THE TWO TIRES BOTH WENT BAD IN ONLY 11333 MILES...ABOUT 5666 MILES EACH!! *TR

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76.3%
ODI 10044278 · 47,000 mi

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE,BOTH AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. *AK

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32.3%
ODI 10082691

AFTER A CRASH IN A SATURN AND THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD AREA STARTED SMOLDERING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT DID A LOT OF DAMAGE.*AK

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Seats
26.9%
ODI 503962

DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DUE TO REAR IMPACT. *SD

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129.8%
ODI 10018147 · 140,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT BACK COLLASPED. THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLAMMED DOWN SO HARD THAT IF A PASSENGER WAS SITTING THERE THERE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED. "POOR DESIGN", STATES CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

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95.1%
ODI 10585967 · 60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER SEPARATED FROM THE ARM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HORN, IGNITION, AND WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,727. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2014 *JS

Look up ODI 10585967 at NHTSA ↗

196.6%
ODI 10190383 · 134,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT MECHANISM FAILED SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE NOTED IN RECALL # 99V045000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 139,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 06/08/07. *JB

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329.0%
ODI 10002150

WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER SIDE RECLINE BACKWARDS AND NEVER COME BACK TO ORIGINAL STATE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER. PH

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31.0%
ODI 534035

REAR DOOR STICKS CLOSED, INOPERABLE FROM INSIDE AND OUT.

Look up ODI 534035 at NHTSA ↗

125.3%
ODI 609525

THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD AFTER A SUDDEN STOP.

Look up ODI 609525 at NHTSA ↗

21.2%
ODI 606181

REAR WINDOW SHIELD WIPER FAILED. YH

Look up ODI 606181 at NHTSA ↗

21.1%
ODI 843661

HIT FROM BEHIND DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS JAMMED TO THE BACK SEAT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, THEY CLAIMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT. *AK

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

21.8%
ODI 8013295

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT LOCK WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE IN ORDER TO LOCK THE SEAT DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

Look up ODI 8013295 at NHTSA ↗

43.1%
ODI 10014398

I PURCHASED A 4-DOOR SATURN SL 2002 THIS PAST SUMMER. THE CARS DESIGN IS INCORRECT. WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT WITH BOTH OF MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DRIVE, I HAVE TO TURN MY BODY FROM THE WAIST DOWN TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO PRESS ON THE GAS OR BRAKE. I HAVE NO ROOM ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEXT TO THE GAS PEDAL DUE TO THE CENTER CONSOLE PANEL, IT FORCES ME TO SIT WITH MY WAIST TURNED TO THE LEFT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION AND I HAVE HAD CONTINUAL BACK PAIN, WHICH BEGAN TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN SEEING A CH…

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Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
13.4%
ODI 721925

HAVE HAD CAR SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES, ENGINE ALWAYS REMAINED ROUGH, CAR DIES ON US, HAS LOW UPTAKE SPEED, MECHANIC SAID ITS A SATURN ENGINE DEFECT, WILL EVENTUALLY DIE ALTOGETHER. *AK

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32.4%
ODI 715368

SATURNED REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE COSTS

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116.3%
ODI 481477

ENGINE CONTINUES TO HESITATE AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS. *SKD

Look up ODI 481477 at NHTSA ↗

62.1%
ODI 517928

ENGINE FAILURE; ALSO, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

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215.9%
ODI 482603

INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE.

Look up ODI 482603 at NHTSA ↗

186.3%
ODI 10031308

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD HER AUTOMOBILE INSSPECTED ,AND WAS TOLD THAT HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. SHE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT OTHER SATURN OWNER WERE HAVING THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEM. WHAT COULD SHE DO ABOUT IT?*AK

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125.3%
ODI 534043

VEHICLE'S ENGINE CONTINUALLY MAKES NOISE, LOUDER WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

Look up ODI 534043 at NHTSA ↗

63.6%
ODI 536547

ENGINE EXPERIENCING KNOCKING PROBLEMS.

Look up ODI 536547 at NHTSA ↗

63.4%
ODI 10128892 · 94,000 mi

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER TOOK IT TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. FOUR DAYS LATER ON 6-25-05, SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION; THE CAP ON THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAD POPPED OFF. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING GUSHING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE COOLANT AND OIL MIXED. THIS MIXTURE IS CURRENTLY SPLATTERED ON THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY. AFTERWARDS SHE CONTACTED THE PLACE WERE SHE GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND THEY TOLD HER TO BRING IT IN. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE THEM O…

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64.1%
ODI 10210747

DRIVING MY 2000 SATURN SL2 70 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMES ON, ENGINE STOPS RUNNING PULL OVER, LUCKILY CLEAR CONDITIONS, SAFELY. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS TIMING CHAIN OR BELT MAY HAVE BROKEN. DEALER CALLS BACK, SAYS I NEED A $7000.00 REPLACEMENT ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS COST ME OVER 5000.00 IN REPAIRS. SATURN HAS NOT OFFERED ANY SORT OF EXPLANATION. JUST A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ONLINE. I AM FURIOUS. *TR

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32.7%
ODI 10144634 · 10,000 mi

WE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE CAR WAS ENGINE WAS RACING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE BAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES FROM A NORMAL 750 RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 1750 RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL, INTERMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR ENGINE WHEN IT DOES THIS WILL EXCEED 1100 RPM WHILE IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONE TIME SPECIFICAL…

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43.1%
ODI 10186683 · 95,000 mi

MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE MOTOR OF THE 2002 SATURN SL1 IN WHICH HE WAS DRIVING STALLED AS HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SERVICE ROAD. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLED,HE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE STRUCK 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT HE STRUCK HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE MY SON DROVE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE 1 SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED ON VEHI…

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Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

64.9%
ODI 483893

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO 'BOILING OF FLUID WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME DOWN A STEEP HILL. *SD

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63.4%
ODI 481477

ENGINE CONTINUES TO HESITATE AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS. *SKD

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93.1%
ODI 489249

ENGINE VALVES STICKING DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP. *SKD

Look up ODI 489249 at NHTSA ↗

185.1%
ODI 482603

INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE.

Look up ODI 482603 at NHTSA ↗

155.2%
ODI 502288

BRAKES GRIND.

Look up ODI 502288 at NHTSA ↗

125.3%
ODI 531147

BRAKE FAILURE, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 531147 at NHTSA ↗

42.4%
ODI 536002

WHEN THE TRUCK LID IS RAISED IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER DRIPS INTO LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT DUE TO DESIGN.

Look up ODI 536002 at NHTSA ↗

95.1%
ODI 10052540 · 60,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 1999 SATURN SL2 W/ 23,000MI. AT 60,000MI I BEGAN TO FEEL A JUDDER/VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO A SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WE'RE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD NON-OEM BRAKE ROTORS INSTALLED AND AFTER APPROXIAMETELY 65,000MI, BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR WITH THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT MY ROTORS KEEP WARPING. THE REPAIR SHOP CUT THE ROTORS "SLIGHTLY" AND NOW AT 70,000MI I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE…

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21.4%
ODI 725955

I WAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND WENT TO HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, IT DID NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN UNTIL I HIT THE OTHER CAR, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

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21.8%
ODI 8005957

AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW DAY, BRAKES WILL TIGHTEN UP AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE LIKE METAL TO METAL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

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10.8%
ODI 8010054

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DESCENDING STEEP GRADE/MOUNTAIN ROADS. BRAKES ARE SCORCHED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PEDAL APPLICATION, AND CONTROLLING VEHICLE IS WITH DIFFICULTY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

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Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine50,794–83,800 mi65,000 mi51
ODI 10006456 · 45,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT IS WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY A LEMON. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744336

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ODI 10010930 · 103,000 mi

INTERNAL CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ALLOWING OIL TO MIX WITH ENGINE COOLANT. OCCURRED AT 103,000 MILES AND 8 YEAR, SO NOT COVERED BY SATURN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE HEAD! SATURN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACED ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE HEADS, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMERS. *JB

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ODI 10023914 · 56,686 mi

MY 1995 SATURN SL1 OVERHEATED IN NOVEMBER 2002 DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THERE WERE 56,686 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT SATURNS BUILT BETWEEN 1994 AND 1996 MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AND OFFERING COMPENSATION IF HIS OCCURS WITHIN 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, MY CAR WAS OVER THE 6 YEARS THAT THE WARRANTY COVERED. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE FOR SATURN OWNERS AND FEEL THAT A RECALL OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IS NECESSARY AND/OR TH…

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission37,100–81,000 mi53,400 mi53
ODI 10053882 · 35,000 mi

AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND PLACING THE GEAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL VEHICLE WILL JUMPED FORWARD, DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER OWNS FOUR OTHER SATURN VEHICLES. THREE OF THEM HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR VALVE BODY ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAD UNDER 50000 MILES ON THEIR ODOMETER'S. *NM

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ODI 10006456 · 45,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT IS WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY A LEMON. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744336

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ODI 10089208 · 100,800 mi

THERE WAS OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP IT WOULD LEAK FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CYLINDER CRACKED. *AK

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Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner56,250–93,000 mi78,600 mi11
ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

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ODI 10066677 · 155,000 mi

WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP LIGHT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS SLAMMED FORWARD THEN BACKWARDS INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE ONTO THE REAR SEAT. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *NM

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ODI 10045345 · 96,000 mi

BELOW ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER I WROTE TO SATURN. THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF: PRESIDENT AND CEO SATURN CORPORATION ON JULY 5, 2000, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A LATE MODEL FORD MUSTANG WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN MY 1995 SATURN SL-1. WHEN I WAS HIT, MY DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR AND SPRAINED MY LOWER BACK. AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS, MY BACK IS STILL IN PAIN AND I AM UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY. A YEAR OR SO AGO, I SAW A TELEVISION NEWS REPORT THAT STATED SATURN WAS RECALLING ALL 1995 SL…

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Vehicle Speed Control41,706–96,500 mi81,412 mi6
ODI 10532626 · 86,000 mi

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WHILE ENGAGED, AND, IF LEFT ALONE, WILL RANDOMLY REENGAGE TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN CAUSE A SURGE OF ACCELERATION (AS MUCH AS ONE CAN EXPECT FROM A SATURN, ANYHOW) IF SPEED HAS SLOWED DUE TO TRAFFIC. *TR

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ODI 10299775 · 76,824 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, THE CONTACT HAD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HARNESS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,824. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10

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ODI 10482496 · 341,900 mi

WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THE OFF POSITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND WENT TO FULL THROTTLE. WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL DIS-ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENED FIVE TIMES, THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT HAS SINCE BEEN DISABLED. *TR

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Air Bags:Frontal42,000–104,000 mi60,000 mi13
ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

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ODI 10046330 · 104,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

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ODI 10139819 · 145,610 mi

MY CAR WAS BACKED INTO IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH PUSHED THE FROND END BACK INTO THE RADIATOR SUPPORT AND BUCKLED THE HOOD. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE STREET AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THEN REVERSED AT TOP SPEED INTO MY FRONT END. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *NM

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Seats97,168–140,000 mi113,500 mi14
ODI 10018147 · 140,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT BACK COLLASPED. THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLAMMED DOWN SO HARD THAT IF A PASSENGER WAS SITTING THERE THERE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED. "POOR DESIGN", STATES CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

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ODI 10018163 · 140,000 mi

CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER, THE VEHICLES DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ON TO THE REAR BENCH SEAT. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH REAR PASSENGERS BEING INJURED BY SEAT BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

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ODI 10081528 · 140,000 mi

THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND COLLAPSED DURING A MINOR FENDER BENDER. *MR THE SEAT COLLAPSED. DUE TO POOR INADEQUATE WELDS. *SC

Look up ODI 10081528 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineToo few reports for a range94,000 mi3 (sparse)
ODI 10128892 · 94,000 mi

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 1999 SATURN SL. WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER TOOK IT TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. FOUR DAYS LATER ON 6-25-05, SHE HEARD AN EXPLOSION; THE CAP ON THE RADIATOR COOLANT HAD POPPED OFF. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING GUSHING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE COOLANT AND OIL MIXED. THIS MIXTURE IS CURRENTLY SPLATTERED ON THE CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY. AFTERWARDS SHE CONTACTED THE PLACE WERE SHE GOT THE OIL CHANGED AND THEY TOLD HER TO BRING IT IN. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE THEM O…

Look up ODI 10128892 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10144634 · 10,000 mi

WE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES THE CAR WAS ENGINE WAS RACING WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE BAKE PEDAL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD. THE IDLE SPEED INCREASES FROM A NORMAL 750 RPM TO APPROXIMATELY 1750 RPM WHILE IN NEUTRAL, INTERMEDIATELY, SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER STARTING THE CAR, SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE. THE CAR ENGINE WHEN IT DOES THIS WILL EXCEED 1100 RPM WHILE IN DRIVE WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES UNDER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONE TIME SPECIFICAL…

Look up ODI 10144634 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10186683 · 95,000 mi

MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 OTHER VEHICLES. THE MOTOR OF THE 2002 SATURN SL1 IN WHICH HE WAS DRIVING STALLED AS HE EXITED THE HIGHWAY ONTO A SERVICE ROAD. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLED,HE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, HE STRUCK 2 VEHICLES THAT WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. THE SECOND VEHICLE THAT HE STRUCK HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE MY SON DROVE. THE RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE 1 SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE REAR AND FRONT BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED ON VEHI…

Look up ODI 10186683 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation ComponentsToo few reports for a range60,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10052540 · 60,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 1999 SATURN SL2 W/ 23,000MI. AT 60,000MI I BEGAN TO FEEL A JUDDER/VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO A SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE ROTORS WE'RE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WENT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND HAD NON-OEM BRAKE ROTORS INSTALLED AND AFTER APPROXIAMETELY 65,000MI, BEGAN TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR WITH THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, BUT MY ROTORS KEEP WARPING. THE REPAIR SHOP CUT THE ROTORS "SLIGHTLY" AND NOW AT 70,000MI I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE…

Look up ODI 10052540 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 247 reports

2001: 41 complaints · 2002: 47 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2001153041
2002183647
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
200110164
200212092

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EnginePower Train:Automatic TransmissionSeats:Front Assembly:ReclinerVehicle Speed ControlAir Bags:FrontalSeatsEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—
12
ODI 507374

DRIVER REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN 2ND GEAR, REPLACED GENERATOR WIRING AS PER SERVICE RECALL, ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK

Look up ODI 507374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 716817

ENGINE BLOCK HAS SPLIT NEAR THE LOCATION OF ALTERNATOR ,CAUSING IT TO BE LOSE AND CUT INTO THE BELT. THE BLOCK BUSTED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING, AND SATURN HAS TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ODD ABOUT IT. NOR IS THERE ANYTHING ODD ABOUT THE ENGINE OVERHEATING DURING BARELY WARM DAYS IN THE SUMMER. POSSIBLY CONNECTED. *AK

Look up ODI 716817 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 819763

BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. HAVE TO BRAKE AHEAD OF TIME TO AVOID ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED AND RESURFACED ROTORS 2 TIMES. TRANSMISSION LEAKING. REPLACED VALVE BODY COVER GASKET. ANOTHER MECHANIC CLAIMS CRACK IN TRANMISSION. FIRST HALF WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND TIME ROTORS/PADS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. DEFECT IS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 819763 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 893879

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON TWO OCCASIONS, ON FIRST OCCASION, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT WAS TOWED WHERE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THE SECOND OCCASION THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF AND ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER AGAIN COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, DEALER TOOK A BEST GUESS AND REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING OKAY SO FAR. *SLC

Look up ODI 893879 at NHTSA ↗

0
4
ODI 750970

WE MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO ARIZONA AT THAT TIME WE NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT-REPLACED HEAD GASKET NO NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN HEAD, VEHICLE NEVER OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LEFT FRONT SEAT IN A PERMANENT SLANT BACKWARD.*AK

Look up ODI 750970 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 535156

SCREECHING NOISE UPON START UP.

Look up ODI 535156 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 785591

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.*YH

Look up ODI 785591 at NHTSA ↗

6
ODI 536039

LOOSE BOLT INSIDE THE ENGINE CAME OFF AND BROKE THE REAR SHAFT/ROCKER ARM.

Look up ODI 536039 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 704400

ENGINE HEAD WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE 5TH JOURNAL. CAR RUNNING NORMALLY, WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE PRESENCE OF OIL IN THE COOLANT. NO TRAUMA OCCURED TO THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN CRACK. ALL SUGGESTED REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE. LIGHT DRIVING WITH NO INSULT TO VEHICLE TO STRESS ENGINE. REPAIR INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE HEAD AND ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM.

Look up ODI 704400 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 817683

WHILE DRIVNG, THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITHIN A (2) YEAR PERIOD. *AK

Look up ODI 817683 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 489249

ENGINE VALVES STICKING DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP. *SKD

Look up ODI 489249 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
12
ODI 507374

DRIVER REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN 2ND GEAR, REPLACED GENERATOR WIRING AS PER SERVICE RECALL, ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK

Look up ODI 507374 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 716817

ENGINE BLOCK HAS SPLIT NEAR THE LOCATION OF ALTERNATOR ,CAUSING IT TO BE LOSE AND CUT INTO THE BELT. THE BLOCK BUSTED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING, AND SATURN HAS TOLD ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ODD ABOUT IT. NOR IS THERE ANYTHING ODD ABOUT THE ENGINE OVERHEATING DURING BARELY WARM DAYS IN THE SUMMER. POSSIBLY CONNECTED. *AK

Look up ODI 716817 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 819763

BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. HAVE TO BRAKE AHEAD OF TIME TO AVOID ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED AND RESURFACED ROTORS 2 TIMES. TRANSMISSION LEAKING. REPLACED VALVE BODY COVER GASKET. ANOTHER MECHANIC CLAIMS CRACK IN TRANMISSION. FIRST HALF WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY. SECOND TIME ROTORS/PADS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. DEFECT IS STILL REOCCURRING. *AK

Look up ODI 819763 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 10025482 · 46,500 mi

UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSES FROM SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE; REPAIRS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED PER CALIFORNIAS LEMON LAW FOR OUR 1996 SATURN SL1 WITH ONLY 46K MILES. ROTE TO GM & SATURN CEO'S. THEY LIE AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR CRAPPY PRODUCT. WE WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN!PER MY RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO EFFORT OF GOODWILL TO REIMBURSE AND FIX THE BELOW AFOREMENTIONED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE INFERIOR MATERIALS USED IN BUILDING OUR SATURN VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WE NEED REIMBURSEMENT F…

Look up ODI 10025482 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 484583

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD

Look up ODI 484583 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 785591

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.*YH

Look up ODI 785591 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 517928

ENGINE FAILURE; ALSO, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Look up ODI 517928 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 700051

THE PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL IS UNEXPECTED/UNPREDICTABLE APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING.

Look up ODI 700051 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8010054

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DESCENDING STEEP GRADE/MOUNTAIN ROADS. BRAKES ARE SCORCHED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PEDAL APPLICATION, AND CONTROLLING VEHICLE IS WITH DIFFICULTY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 8010054 at NHTSA ↗

Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner0
1
ODI 10025482 · 46,500 mi

UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSES FROM SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE; REPAIRS THAT SHOULD BE COVERED PER CALIFORNIAS LEMON LAW FOR OUR 1996 SATURN SL1 WITH ONLY 46K MILES. ROTE TO GM & SATURN CEO'S. THEY LIE AND DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR CRAPPY PRODUCT. WE WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN!PER MY RECENT CONVERSATIONS WITH SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE, THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO EFFORT OF GOODWILL TO REIMBURSE AND FIX THE BELOW AFOREMENTIONED MECHANICAL PROBLEMS FROM THE INFERIOR MATERIALS USED IN BUILDING OUR SATURN VEHICLE. THE FAILURES WE NEED REIMBURSEMENT F…

Look up ODI 10025482 at NHTSA ↗

—0
7
ODI 539614

VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. HAD BOTH FRON TAND RAE IMPACT. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK IN TIME TO PREVENT DRIVER FROM FALLING FORWARD, HITTING HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, SEATBACK COLLAPSED, DRIVER FELL BACKWARDS AND HIT BACK OF HEAD. SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Look up ODI 539614 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

Look up ODI 10022969 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 958196

VEHICLE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 25MPH CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT TO COLLAPSE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 958196 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 800767

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK FELL BACKWARD, WASN'T INJURED/PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONED SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. *AK

Look up ODI 800767 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 896199

RECALL 99V045000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006 9000; SEATBACK FALLS BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. RECLINER CAN HOLD SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER CAN'T REST BACK COMFORTABLY IN SEAT WITHOUT SEAT COLLAPSING. THE RECALL IN GENERAL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 896199 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 826954

IN A REAR END COLLISION THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK AND RESULTING IN INJURIES. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT ADJUSTER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 826954 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 534611

ENGINE/IGNITION/COMPUTER/SPEEDOMER/CRUISE CONTROL/REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER: ELECRICAL WIRING/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR/DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH AND PARKING BRAKE FAILED.

Look up ODI 534611 at NHTSA ↗

0
Vehicle Speed Control
1
ODI 893879

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON TWO OCCASIONS, ON FIRST OCCASION, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND IT WAS TOWED WHERE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THE SECOND OCCASION THE VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TURNED OFF AND ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, DEALER AGAIN COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS, DEALER TOOK A BEST GUESS AND REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING OKAY SO FAR. *SLC

Look up ODI 893879 at NHTSA ↗

00—000
3
ODI 8005863

ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS IT BEING THE BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAM THAT IS WORN AND LEAKING. THE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CHECK VALVE GROMMET IS TORN. *JG *AK

Look up ODI 8005863 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 501506

PASSENGERS DOOR OPENS IF BUMPED.

Look up ODI 501506 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 975579

THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Look up ODI 975579 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal0
1
ODI 484583

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SKD

Look up ODI 484583 at NHTSA ↗

7
ODI 539614

VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. HAD BOTH FRON TAND RAE IMPACT. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND SHOULDER BELT DID NOT LOCK IN TIME TO PREVENT DRIVER FROM FALLING FORWARD, HITTING HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, SEATBACK COLLAPSED, DRIVER FELL BACKWARDS AND HIT BACK OF HEAD. SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

Look up ODI 539614 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10022969 · 162,700 mi

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

Look up ODI 10022969 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 958196

VEHICLE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 25MPH CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT TO COLLAPSE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 958196 at NHTSA ↗

0—
2
ODI 748464

CAR HIT FROM THE REAR INTO A PICKUP WHILE BOTH WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GO BACK WARDS, INJURING HER NECK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SATURN WAS TOTALLED BEING HIT IN BOTH THE REAR AND THEN HITTING THE P/U IN IT'S REAR.*AK

Look up ODI 748464 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 895136

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, AND CONSUMER, IN RETURN, REARENDED CAR IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FULLY RECLINED/ SEATBELT POPPED OFF, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 895136 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 973263

BRAKE FAILURE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 30 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 973263 at NHTSA ↗

Seats
4
ODI 750970

WE MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO ARIZONA AT THAT TIME WE NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT-REPLACED HEAD GASKET NO NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN HEAD, VEHICLE NEVER OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LEFT FRONT SEAT IN A PERMANENT SLANT BACKWARD.*AK

Look up ODI 750970 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 535156

SCREECHING NOISE UPON START UP.

Look up ODI 535156 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 785591

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.*YH

Look up ODI 785591 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 785591

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.*YH

Look up ODI 785591 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 800767

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK FELL BACKWARD, WASN'T INJURED/PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS MALFUNCTIONED SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. *AK

Look up ODI 800767 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 896199

RECALL 99V045000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006 9000; SEATBACK FALLS BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. RECLINER CAN HOLD SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER CAN'T REST BACK COMFORTABLY IN SEAT WITHOUT SEAT COLLAPSING. THE RECALL IN GENERAL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 896199 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 826954

IN A REAR END COLLISION THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACK AND RESULTING IN INJURIES. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT ADJUSTER. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 826954 at NHTSA ↗

0
2
ODI 748464

CAR HIT FROM THE REAR INTO A PICKUP WHILE BOTH WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GO BACK WARDS, INJURING HER NECK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SATURN WAS TOTALLED BEING HIT IN BOTH THE REAR AND THEN HITTING THE P/U IN IT'S REAR.*AK

Look up ODI 748464 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 895136

WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED, AND CONSUMER, IN RETURN, REARENDED CAR IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FULLY RECLINED/ SEATBELT POPPED OFF, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Look up ODI 895136 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 534035

REAR DOOR STICKS CLOSED, INOPERABLE FROM INSIDE AND OUT.

Look up ODI 534035 at NHTSA ↗

0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
ODI 536039

LOOSE BOLT INSIDE THE ENGINE CAME OFF AND BROKE THE REAR SHAFT/ROCKER ARM.

Look up ODI 536039 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 704400

ENGINE HEAD WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE 5TH JOURNAL. CAR RUNNING NORMALLY, WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE PRESENCE OF OIL IN THE COOLANT. NO TRAUMA OCCURED TO THE ENGINE TO SUSTAIN CRACK. ALL SUGGESTED REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE. LIGHT DRIVING WITH NO INSULT TO VEHICLE TO STRESS ENGINE. REPAIR INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE HEAD AND ENTIRE COOLANT SYSTEM.

Look up ODI 704400 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 817683

WHILE DRIVNG, THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITHIN A (2) YEAR PERIOD. *AK

Look up ODI 817683 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 517928

ENGINE FAILURE; ALSO, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

Look up ODI 517928 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 534611

ENGINE/IGNITION/COMPUTER/SPEEDOMER/CRUISE CONTROL/REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER: ELECRICAL WIRING/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR/DRIVER'S SEAT LATCH AND PARKING BRAKE FAILED.

Look up ODI 534611 at NHTSA ↗

00
1
ODI 534035

REAR DOOR STICKS CLOSED, INOPERABLE FROM INSIDE AND OUT.

Look up ODI 534035 at NHTSA ↗

—
6
ODI 481477

ENGINE CONTINUES TO HESITATE AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS. *SKD

Look up ODI 481477 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 482497

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL.

Look up ODI 482497 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 973827

PURCHASE CAR NEW THE ENGINE BLEW THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT RIGHT AND THE CAR HARD TO START THE FRONT END SHAKES, THE BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR . TT

Look up ODI 973827 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
ODI 489249

ENGINE VALVES STICKING DUE TO CARBON BUILD-UP. *SKD

Look up ODI 489249 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 898710

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC

Look up ODI 898710 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 700051

THE PROBLEM IN A NUTSHELL IS UNEXPECTED/UNPREDICTABLE APPARENT LOSS OF BRAKING.

Look up ODI 700051 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 8010054

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR WHILE DESCENDING STEEP GRADE/MOUNTAIN ROADS. BRAKES ARE SCORCHED DUE TO EXCESSIVE PEDAL APPLICATION, AND CONTROLLING VEHICLE IS WITH DIFFICULTY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

Look up ODI 8010054 at NHTSA ↗

0
3
ODI 8005863

ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS IT BEING THE BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAM THAT IS WORN AND LEAKING. THE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CHECK VALVE GROMMET IS TORN. *JG *AK

Look up ODI 8005863 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 501506

PASSENGERS DOOR OPENS IF BUMPED.

Look up ODI 501506 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 975579

THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Look up ODI 975579 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 973263

BRAKE FAILURE, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 30 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

Look up ODI 973263 at NHTSA ↗

0
6
ODI 481477

ENGINE CONTINUES TO HESITATE AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS. *SKD

Look up ODI 481477 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 482497

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL.

Look up ODI 482497 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 973827

PURCHASE CAR NEW THE ENGINE BLEW THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT RIGHT AND THE CAR HARD TO START THE FRONT END SHAKES, THE BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR . TT

Look up ODI 973827 at NHTSA ↗

—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

8 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

94 mentions · 4.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 65,000 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 958671

VEHICLE STALLS OUT AT ANY SPEED, DEALER SAID STALLING OCCURS WHEN CRUISE IS ON AND VEHICLE RPM IS OVER 70. TT

Look up ODI 958671 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 747891

ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND BATTERY REPLACED 5 TIMES. NOW EXPERIENCING SURGING, HESITATION AND STALLING, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE AFTER FOUR TRIPS. *AK

Look up ODI 747891 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 877531

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AND LOST POWER. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, THEN SAW THAT ALTENATOR HAD FALLEN OFF VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 877531 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

82 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10139159 · 85,000 mi

THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ALWAYS LOW AND SOME TIMES BOTTOMS OUT WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING THE CAR. YOU CAN'T STOP. RECORD OF COMPLAINT IS ON FILE WITH SATURN, BUT THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF BECAUSE THEY CHECK OUT THE CAR, BUT SAID IT WAS OK. I SHOWED THEM THAT BY PUMPING THE BREAKS A FEW TIMES THAT THE PEDAL WOULD BOTTOM AND BREAKING WAS LOST. THEY DUPLICATED IT BUT REFUSED TO ADMIT IT WAS A PROBLEM. NOW MY SONS ARE DRIVING AND I CAN'T LET THEM DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH DRIVERS AND IF THEY EVERY GET INTO A PANIC STOP SI…

Look up ODI 10139159 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10139160 · 85,000 mi

THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ALWAYS LOW AND SOME TIMES BOTTOMS OUT WHEN YOU FIRST START DRIVING THE CAR. YOU CAN'T STOP. RECORD OF COMPLAINT IS ON FILE WITH SATURN, BUT THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF BECAUSE THEY CHECK OUT THE CAR, BUT SAID IT WAS OK. I SHOWED THEM THAT BY PUMPING THE BREAKS A FEW TIMES THAT THE PEDAL WOULD BOTTOM AND BREAKING WAS LOST. THEY DUPLICATED IT BUT REFUSED TO ADMIT IT WAS A PROBLEM. NOW MY SONS ARE DRIVING AND I CAN'T LET THEM DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EXPERIENCED ENOUGH DRIVERS AND IF THEY EVERY GET INTO A PANIC STOP SI…

Look up ODI 10139160 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 483893

BRAKES FAILED DUE TO 'BOILING OF FLUID WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME DOWN A STEEP HILL. *SD

Look up ODI 483893 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

29 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 91,328 mi (7 usable records).

ODI 535222

POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKS.

Look up ODI 535222 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 542354

SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING POWER STEERING, ANTI LOCK BRAKES AND WATER PUMP TO FAIL, RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF VEHICLE.

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ODI 10042105 · 29,000 mi

THE ALTERNATOR BELT BROKE FOUR TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP. ON ONE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND THE BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, DEALER REPLACED. *TS *JB

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Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

25 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 37,100 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10112206

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 65 MPH AND CRUISE CONTROL JUST SPEED UP ABOUT 10 MPH OUT OF THE BLUE. CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AND RPMS TO JUMP. *JB

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ODI 720173

TRANSMISSION HESITATES BEFORE GOING INTO REVERSE AND LURCHES BACKWARD WHEN IT DOES.

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ODI 700381

HELLO, THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT WILL AT OTHER TIMES JERK AND HESITATE ON ACCELERATION. WHEN COLD, AFTER STARTING, IT WILL HAS A DECREASE IN RPM AS THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN, KINDA LIKE IT BOGS OUT. WORST OF ALL AFTER WARMING UP THE IDLE WILL SURGE TO ~2500 RPM EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR OUT. THIS MAKES SHIFTING SOMEWHAT PROBLEMATIC. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME, IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS TONY

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

25 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 81,000 mi (10 usable records).

ODI 503640

MOTORBELT FAILURE CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON.

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ODI 511794

ENGINE OIL PUMP FAILURE, INTERIOR WARNING LIGHT DIES NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE WHEN THERE IS NO OIL PRESSURE. AK

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ODI 10093917

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED 2 OF THE COMPONENETS UNDER THE DASH ONE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UP IN THE CORNER AND THE OTHER UP BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. COOLING FAN DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY MUST KEEP THE AC ON FOR THE FAN TO WORK. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TO FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSORS HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO TROUBLE SHOOT, CAN'T FIND A REASON SO IT IS NOT FIXED JUST KEEP AC ON ALWAYS. CAR VIBRATES AND CAN'T FIND A REASON STILL LOOKING FOR PROBLEM, VIBRATES SO MUCH BODY PARTS ON FRONT ARE BECOM…

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Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

22 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 67,500 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 504568

PISTON RINGS FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BURN OIL EXCESSIVELY. *DH

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ODI 883521

VEHICLE OVERHEATS AND CONSUMES OIL BECAUSE A HEATING CHIP HAS MELTED DUE TO OVERHEATING. MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

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ODI 10057006 · 49,000 mi

THE CARIS A 1995 SATURN SL1 WAS BOUGHT IN OCT OF 2002 IT HAD ONLY 38,962 ACTUAL MILES ON IT, WHEN I SEEN THE OVERALL SHAPE OF THIS VEHICLE IT WAS AWESOME, THE LOW MILEAGE WAS THE ULTIMATE REASON FOR BUYING THE CAR ( SINCE ALL I HEARD WAS HOW GREAT THESE CARS RUN) FROM A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA IT HAS A SOHC 4CYC. MOTOR,WITHIN 10K MILES OF DRIVING THIS CAR IT STARTED DRINKING OIL UNCONTROLABLY, NOW THE CAR HAS 84K ONIT AND EVERY MONTH IT NEEDS A FRESH SET OF PLUGS IN IT BECAUSE THE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT BLOWS PAST THE PISTONS FOU…

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Matching rule\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Battery drain and no-start mentions

12 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 135,169 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10584831

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, THE MOTOR WOULD JUST STOP AND THEN WOULD NOT START UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 6 TIMES WITHIN 6 MONTHS. HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE.

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ODI 866937

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL DOORS LOCKED IN POSITIONS, OCCUPANT COULD NOT EXIT VEHICLE/DOORS COULD NOT BE MANUALLY OPENED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO OTHER PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

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ODI 10038848

1997 SL2 SATURN WOULD NOT START. BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD CHARGE. HAD EARLY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS (ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT FUNCTION, NO DASH LIGHTS). *PH

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Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

6 mentions · 0.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,646 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10578963

INSTALLED MICROGARD FUEL FILTER ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 A MONTH AGO STARTED SMELLING GAS HAD IT LOOKED AT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE. THE HOLE IS IN THE BLACK PLASTIC, THIS PIPE ATTACHES TO THE ALUMINUM PIPE, BY THE TEST VALVE. I T RUBS ON THE EGR VALVE? (THIS FILTER HAS THE HOSE ATTACHED TO IT, ALL ONE UNIT.) THIS LEAK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MASSIVE FIRE BECAUSE IT ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND IS A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE ANOTHER MICRO GARD AND PUT A THICKER HOSE AROUND THE…

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ODI 715341

CAR LOSES POWER /A SLIGHT GAS SMELL /CAR CUTS OUT/ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON/ STARTS AGAIN AFTER A FEW TRIES/ CAR HAS BEENSERVICED 4 TIMES/IT RUNS WELL SOMETIMES/ THEN IT DOES IT AGAIN/MECHANIC DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS/WHEN HE HAS CAR IT DOES NOT DO IT/HE DOES SEE GAS ALL OVER ENGINE A FEW TIMES/

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ODI 504482

HOLE IN PLASTIC GAS LINE UNDERNEATH VEHICLE WHEN STRUCK BY OBJECT IN ROADWAY, CAUSING GAS LEAK.

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Matching rule\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b