1999 Saturn SL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 178 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (22% 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 178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning and restarted after ten minutes. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the ignition failed to release the key. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 11/23/15*lj *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. The contact stated that the lost power and vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness lost connection with the instrument panel box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“While driving down the road the air bags spontaneously deployed. No known cause- possibly bad sensors. It broke my thumb and burned my arm. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the brakes were applied to prevent from crashing into another vehicle that had disobeyed the stop sign. As a result, the vehicle slid and crashed into another vehicle and rolled into a snow embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact driver sustained head injuries and the three passengers sustained minor injuries, which required medical attention. In addition, the key could be removed from the ignition when driving. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2012
“Hand brake release button and spring popped out after parking the vehicle. Had this happened while the vehicle was unattended and parked on a hill (as it typically is), this car could have caused serious bodily harm or structural damage.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2011
“Tl* the contact owns 1999 saturn sl1. The contact was driving 45 mph when the shift cable fractured and caused the vehicle to shift into neutral. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle. On a later date, the contact applied the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle. When he returned, the emergency brake had independently disengaged. The contact discovered that the emergency brake button was defective. The contact was able to order the necessary part from the dealer to make repairs himself. The contact was concerned that had he been parked on a hill, the vehicle could potentially have rolled away. The failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Jun 2010
“The lock on the steering column is too loose to be turned effectively only someone who has driven the car for a while knows how to get the key to turn so that the car can be started. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
“I have a 1999 saturn sl that I bought off a saturn employee two months ago; it was making a whining sound but she said that the sound was because it had a non standard part on it. The ignition locked up once or twice and now it will not crank nor start. I have checked the ignition switch, the starter-solenoid and all wires and cables. I have also called saturn and was told that they had no idea what it could be and that there weren't any recalls on any of the parts above nor any that could possibly cause the car not to crank or start. They suggested that I bring it in. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2009
“1999 saturn sl plastic grommet connection between shifter cable and shifter. Just broke. Apparently engineered with a mind for obsolescence rather than safety or durability. Enabling a high repair cost for a 50 cent bushing that should last the life of the entire shifter cable and shifter. Cheap fix (time and part wise) for car manufacturer if still under warranty. Conveniently costly for owner when car is not under warranty. *tr”Owner report · Structure · May 2009
“Michelin weatherwise ii b. Tires have poor wet surface braking performance. Vehicle needs extra distance to stop when braking on wet roads. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 26 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
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 1999 Saturn SL reliable?
NHTSA has 178 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Saturn SL. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Saturn SL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Saturn SL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.