Model year record

1996 Saturn SL

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

Saturn SL, 1996–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1996–2002 generation. Sam Kennedy, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Saturn SL model years

All Saturn SL recalls by year

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.