1997 Saturn SL: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 227 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving (vehicle in motion) the vehicle shuts down completely. At times when the key is turned in the ignition switch nothing happens; no electrical power but battery is fine and everything else checks out ok except the ignition switch. It has all the characteristics of gm vehicles that experienced fatalities with faulty ignition switches. This has occurred on several occasions the last instance was on may 10, 2016.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl. The contact stated that the key fell out of the ignition and the vehicle continued to run. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“During oil change discovered that front subframe was rusted through at control arm attachment point, drivers side. Car was removed from service as this is a major safety issue affecting suspension and steering. Tried to find a used subframe but all in local auto parts recyclers were just as badly rusted. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“During oil change discovered that front subframe was rusted through at control arm attachment point, drivers side. Car was removed from service as this is a major safety issue affecting suspension and steering. Tried to find a used subframe but all in local auto parts recyclers were just as badly rusted. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2013
“With the cruise control in the off position, the cruise control engaged and went to full throttle. When the clutch pedal was depressed the cruise control dis-engaged. This happened five times, the cruise control unit has since been disabled. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2012
“1997 saturn sl, 4 door sedan, manual transaxle, 143000 miles at a parking lot: shifter cable plastic bushing broke locking my transaxle in reverse. Problem fixed with an aftermarket kit sold by napa auto stores. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl1. The contact stated that when attempting to shift from 2nd to 3rd gear the shift lever cable fractured; thus disabling the vehicle from shifting into 3rd gear. Gear failure while driving increases the risk for vehicle crash. The vehicle was taken to a dealership in which the shift cable assembly was replaced. The current and failure mileages were 102000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2009
“Severe rust out of the suspension sub-frame (engine cradle) along the left side, particularly at the lower control arm mount pocket. This condition was caught before the left front lower control arm broke loose due to the rusted sub-frame. Rust condition was confined to the left side of the sub-frame with no apparent issue with the right side or cross beams. Brought to saturn's attention but concern was denied as the "vehicle is out of warranty". Saturn never addressed the issue that the sub-frame is a component that should last the lifetime of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2009
“Driving along community road and manual shift linkage became inoperative. Failure was total, shifting was impossible, was lucky to be able to get to the side of the road. Saturn used a plastic push-in button to retain the shift mechanism to the eyelet of the shift cable........a plastic bushing for a part of the car that is critical! A replacement was bushing fabricated out of suitable material and a tapped hole, and bolt, was added to the shifter rod so that complete failure is not possible. Too bad detroit engineers seem to have forgotten their responsibilities to society, they should be ashamed to put peoples lives in such danger with such a poor design of a critical part. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl2. The contact stated that the subframe rotted out along the driver's side of the vehicle, mainly at the lower control arm pocket. The dealer replaced the subframe at the cost of $1,179. The manufacturer would not provide reimbursement because the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 48,736.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 29 of these complaints and injuries in 27 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact SL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Saturn SL reliable?
NHTSA has 227 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Saturn SL. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Saturn SL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Saturn SL have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.