Model year record

1996 Saturn SL

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 369 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V138000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Component
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
14,580
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-29
Owners notified
1997-08-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine3277,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline18
Electrical system: horn16115,374 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components16
Seats: front assembly: recliner1246,500 mi
Air bags: frontal11
Electrical system: ignition1197,770 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1146,500 mi
Power train10294,981 mi
Vehicle speed control1076,824 mi
Engine and engine cooling969,001 mi
Air bags8110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip8
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator7130,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission695,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads697,770 mi
Structure: body: door6
Tires: tread/belt665,000 mi
Tires5
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5100,015 mi
Visibility: windshield5
Electrical system468,577 mi
Steering4150,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Tires: sidewall4
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system397,770 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)392,237 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3155,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly361,998 mi
Seats3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: rack and pinion3150,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments3
Structure: body: trunk lid3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system265,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Equipment2128,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel system, other2
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift221,132 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment2
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2114,856 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2150,000 mi
Suspension2
Suspension: front2125,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2
Unknown or other2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2100,015 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Child seat1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine1103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1
Parking brake1138,650 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper152,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Structure1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: rear1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.