Saturn Sl 1996
Model Sl made in 1996 by Saturn got 46 consumer complains there are 2 recalls as well as 1 service bulletin. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, communications and electrical system. Technical service bulletines regarding seats. There were some recalls concerningexterior lighting, steering. The car has one 1.9l engine.
Model 1996
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ( 1.9L) | 4 | Lockup/automatic, 4 gears | FWD | 24/34/28 | 27/44/33 | Regular | $ 643 | 4 | 950801 |
| ( 1.9L) | 4 | Lockup/automatic, 4 gears | FWD | 27/36/30 | 29/47/35 | Regular | $ 599 | 4 | 950801 |
| ( 1.9L) | 4 | Manual, 5 gears | FWD | 25/35/29 | 28/45/34 | Regular | $ 621 | 4 | 950801 |
| ( 1.9L) | 4 | Manual, 5 gears | FWD | 29/40/33 | 32/51/38 | Regular | $ 545 | 4 | 950801 |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | ||||||||||||||||
| 09E012000 | SABERSPORT | E (Equipment) | 16270 | 05/11/2009 | OVSC | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 04/07/2009 | 04/07/2009 | 571 | 108 | ||||||
| Defect Summary | Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment. these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | This recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer.in order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport.the list can be found under document search located at the bottom of your screen.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | ||||||||||||||||
| 97V138000 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | from 12/01/1995 to 06/30/1996 | V (Vehicle) | 14580 | 08/29/1997 | MFR | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. | 08/29/1997 | 08/29/1997 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. the pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or similar low speed maneuvers. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This could result in the pinion gear disengaging from the rack causing a loss of steering control. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification began august 29, 1997.owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saturn at 1-800-833-6000.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEATS | |||||
| 00T38 | 07/01/2000 | 614008 | Some customers may comment about abnormal wear or a cut on the inboard edge of the driver or passenger seat back cover. *tt | 09/26/2000 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL | |||
| 05/30/1998 | |||
| Driving at approximately 20-25 mph consumer rear ended vehicle in front, dual airbags did not deploy which could have resulted in injuries. seat belts were worn at at the time. owner's manual states that airbag should deploy at 15 mph .manufacturer will send some one to inspect vehicle. *ak | |||
| 01/11/1997 | |||
| In an accident at 10:45 position at 30mph car hit fire hydrant and passenger's airbag deployed but not the drivers side. *ak | |||
| COMMUNICATIONS - HORN ASSEMBLY | |||
| 04/11/2006 | 1 | 12/01/1996 | |
| Hi, i have a 1996 saturn with vin number 1g8zfs288tz181736 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 vz235788 to vz314099, 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 | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 3 | 09/01/1995 | ||
| Right brake light burned out prematurely. right brake light was replaced on 3 different occasions. dealer had advised consumer that problem had occurred on other vehicles, but had no remedy. consumer has seen 3 other vehicles withsame problem of the right brake light burning out. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 12/21/1996 | |||
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 09/24/2003 | 75508 | 1 | 09/14/2003 |
| Cracked cylinder head. *jb | |||
| 08/02/2002 | |||
| There is a cracked cylinder head and oil is leaking from vehicle. contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.*ak | |||
| 11/14/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1995 | |
| 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 | |||
| 11/25/2000 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 05/01/2000 | 12/01/1995 | ||
| I need to know if there is or will there be a recall on the motor mount for the saturn sl coupe 1996. *ak | |||
| 05/23/2000 | 1 | 08/05/1995 | |
| While driving at low speed saw water and oil coming out of the engine. a technician stated that this was due to a blown engine head gasket. dealer found the problem to be a cracked cylinder head. owner told that this was a manufacture defect and saturn would pay repairs cost. *ak *ml | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 11/09/2001 | 2 | 10/01/1995 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1996 | ||
| Engine cut off, engine surged,tachometer bouces,replaced valve guides at 60000 miles, compresion still not correct, ck engine light always comes on, burns oil, 2 qts more than specs say. seat belt light stays on even when in use. | |||
| When driving at 60mph vehicle's speed will instantly and without warning drop down to about 10mph. dealer says it's a manufacturer's defect. problem still exists. *ak | |||
| 08/22/1999 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| No summary | |||
| 12/20/1998 | 07/01/1996 | ||
| 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. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | |||
| 7 | 09/01/1995 | ||
| 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 | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | |||
| 01/18/2000 | |||
| While driving on the highway, travelling about 50mph at night, all of sudden the vehicle cut off. contacted dealer, andwas told that a spider got into the fuel line and blocked the line where the pump didn't have enough ventilation, and fuel tank collasped. *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/18/2000 | |||
| While driving on the highway, travelling about 50mph at night, all of sudden the vehicle cut off. contacted dealer, andwas told that a spider got into the fuel line and blocked the line where the pump didn't have enough ventilation, and fuel tank collasped. *ak | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 12/01/1996 | 1 | ||
| Engine warning light illuminated. | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 1 | 01/01/1996 | ||
| Engine cut off, engine surged,tachometer bouces,replaced valve guides at 60000 miles, compresion still not correct, ck engine light always comes on, burns oil, 2 qts more than specs say. seat belt light stays on even when in use. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||
| Car will not hold in fifth gear when putting it in fifth gear it slips out . tt | |||
| SEATS - FRONT ASSEMBLY - RECLINER | |||
| 02/12/2001 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle was rear ended at 15 mph, the driver's seat back collapsed, consumer realized it was broken when it would not adjust properly, saturn said the seat was up to standard. *mjs | |||
| 10/26/1999 | |||
| Vehicle was at a standstill and was rear ended by another vehicle traveling about 45 mph which pushed consumer's vehicle into the vehicle in front, causing driver's seatback to break, resulting in serious injuries. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 10/22/1999 | 1 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 02/09/1996 | |||
| While driving up hill applied brakes to no avail, resulting in hitting another vehicle. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 07/15/2002 | |||
| At 65 mph consumer applied brakes, pedal felt hard, and would not depress. dash indicator did not illuminate. mechanic could not find a cause of problem.*ak | |||
| 08/29/1996 | 3 | 08/18/1995 | |
| While driving at or about 35 mph car was involved in a forntal collision on wet pavement, brakes never really worked on the car, manufacturer not contacted. *ak dealer replaced pads and rotors three times in 22 months, due to pads and rotors being rusted. consumer stated pads and rotors.*jb | |||
| 02/08/1997 | 1 | ||
| Brakes work intermittently. | |||
| STEERING | |||
| 10/09/2003 | 1 | ||
| 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 | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 09/21/2006 | 150000 | 1 | 10/01/1995 |
| Rack and pinion steering failed completely while vehicle was in operation. *jb | |||
| 01/02/1997 | 1 | 05/29/1996 | |
| Rack and pinion gear failure. | |||
| 07/01/1996 | 1 | 06/01/1996 | |
| Rack and pinion failed. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 01/07/1998 | 1 | ||
| Pre lope bearings felll apart from the steering area of the car. *ak | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 12/01/2000 | 0 | ||
| Weather striping to vehicle is defective. when there is rain vehicle fills up with water in rear. *ak | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 04/01/1996 | 1 | 10/01/1995 | |
| Firestone tire size p175/70r14 blowout twice, once causing accident. | |||
| TIRES - SIDEWALL | |||
| 08/07/2001 | 06/15/1996 | ||
| Right front tire sidewall separated during a 40mph turn on a paved mountain road, temperature outside was 101f. tires were not under inflated, they were rotated the day before.*ak | |||
| 09/02/2000 | 1 | 09/01/1995 | |
| The sidewalls on this tire literally disintegrated at 70 miles an hour. no warning. no slow loss of pressure. a catastrophic loss of pressure. the sidewall of the tire looked like it had been attacked by a madman with a knife, almost severed from the tread. i thought i was being attacked by a helicopter.( dot number: tire size: 175/70-r14 ) | |||
| TIRES - TREAD/BELT | |||
| 06/28/2004 | 65000 | 1 | |
| While driving 65 mph rear passenger's side tire tread separated. as a result the rear quarter panel and bumper were severely damaged. no impact reported. *ak *nm | |||
| 09/23/2000 | 1 | 04/01/1996 | |
| Complete tread separation on right-rear tire. tire is not listed in recall or 9/1 consumer advisory. *ak( dot number: w2epbca086 tire size: p175/70r14 ) | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 11/05/2003 | 100015 | 1 | 12/01/1995 |
| 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 | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - CRUISE CONTROL | |||
| 11/05/2003 | 100015 | 1 | 12/01/1995 |
| 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 | |||
| VISIBILITY - DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM | |||
| 12/01/1996 | 1 | ||
| Defroster inadequate, causing poor visibility. | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA | SUNNYVALE | SATURN OF SUNNYVALE | ||
| NJ | FREEHOLD | 07728 | FREEHOLD SATURN |