Model year record

1997 Saturn SL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 286 owner complaints on file.

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.

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.