Model year record

1997 Saturn SL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 286 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 97V155000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
5
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-12
Owners notified
1997-09-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT COLD WELDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE TUNNEL AREA OF THE FLOOR PAN. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

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: engine1768,000 mi
Air bags: frontal14104,000 mi
Tires1372,844 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline12—
Seats12—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components12—
Power train: automatic transmission1144,409 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor1023,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission9127,000 mi
Vehicle speed control9341,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash754,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner7—
Seat belts: front: anchorage6—
Seats: front assembly: recliner6—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip610 mi
Unknown or other6149,000 mi
Air bags571,393 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Electrical system: horn5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys5135,039 mi
Suspension5118,733 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4106,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly479,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch348,849 mi
Engine and engine cooling348,736 mi
Steering372,844 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Structure3133,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid3—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3118,733 mi
Tires: tread/belt3—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: ignition2157,645 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system232,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock2—
Parking brake2—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly2118,075 mi
Seat belts254,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Structure: body2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Child seat: base1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch161,335 mi
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1—
Seat belts: front1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members148,736 mi
Suspension: front1—
Unknown1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.