Model year record

1999 Saturn SL

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 232 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V280000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
265,698
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-20
Owners notified
1999-10-29

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine1764,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1239,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling984,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission950,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components960,000 mi
Air bags890,000 mi
Electrical system8140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor818,128 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system763,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline694,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission6103,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner679,500 mi
Tires695,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system532,749 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Electrical system: ignition475,000 mi
Parking brake4103,000 mi
Seat belts435,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor4
Suspension: front430,000 mi
Unknown or other4118,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly340,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3134,440 mi
Tires: sidewall3
Tires: tread/belt3
Vehicle speed control329,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer356,703 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: horn2135,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module275,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers276,500 mi
Engine2118,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control275,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering2112,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Suspension2
Visibility: windshield2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe164,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift195,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights190,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline1134,440 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Latches/locks/linkages1115,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1108,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift1
Power train: axle assembly127,200 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: bell housing143,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly160,047 mi
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Service brakes, air1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor14,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar127,701 mi
Steering: column118,128 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure1115,000 mi
Structure: body: door1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Suspension: front: hub1
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal150,225 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Wheels1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of 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.