Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Saturn SL
Saturn SL Models:
Saturn SL Problems
Front Brake Rotor Wear Can Cause Pulsations
Front brake rotors can wear causing a pulsation felt in the brake pedal. Our technicians tell us this condition is best corrected by replacement of the front rotors and brake pads.
Noise From Front of Engine Due to Timing Chain
The timing chain may come into contact with the timing cover, causing noise in the engine. Replacement of worn timing chain components will be necessary to correct this concern.
Stalling/Charge Light Illumination Due to Failed Alternator
The alternator may fail causing the charge light to illuminate. Driving with this condition will eventually cause the engine to stall due to low system voltage.
Poor Ride/Handling Due to Worn Suspension Struts
The front struts may show signs of wear, or be excessively bouncy ride at freeway speeds. This may begin to occur at around 75,000 miles.
Power steering hoses leak fluid and should be replaced
The power steering hoses commonly leak fluid. Any leaking hoses should be replaced.
Saturn SL Recalls (Recent)
Saturn SL2 Recall 02V020000
Summary: CERTAIN SEDANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES," AND NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS BETWEEN THE DOOR STRIKER AND BELT-LINE THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN SPECIFICATIONS.
Learn more »Saturn SW2 Recall 99V280000
Summary: 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.
Learn more »Saturn SW2 Recall 99V297000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Learn more »Saturn SW2 Recall 00V310000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Learn more »Saturn SW2 Recall 00V309000
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Learn more »Saturn SL Questions and Answers
oil burning off from bottom rear of engine, hard to tell what, if anything, is actually leaking. oil soaking drivers side front wheel just on this side of oil pan. ( not on oil pan, though)
i recently posted a question regarding a possible oil leak and appreciate the quick response. ty i'll try the oil cleaner & dye to trace any possible leaks, but the engine also putters excessively ...
i have a 1991 saturn i turn it on and for two minutes later car shuts off
evrytime i start my car the serpentine belt flys off then i put it back on and the same thing happens and every where i look it dont tell me what could be wrong with it
MAY BE DUE TO RACK N PINION I JUST GOT CAR THEY SAID A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUT ON BUT THE FLUID LEAKS OUT FASTER THAN YOU CAN GO AROUND BLOCK
Saturn SL Stories
while driving this car it started to shake then got home and turned it off. I now will turn the key on and no power no lights nothing like if there was no battery on the car and the battery is new try jumping it bus no power nothing comes on. can anyone help. Thank you
i love the car i just wish it wasn't so low ground its hard for my husband thats 6 ft tall to get in and out
For the past 8 years it has performed great-always starts on the first crank. Great gas mileage. There is alot of road noise. Stereo/CD player has good sound. Comfortable ride but does sit low to the ground.
Parts replaced so far: Cooling Fan (90k), Tires twice (first set lasted 5 years!) Brakes twice, steering fluid, brake fluid, oil plug (striped over time) and Spark plugs twice (first time I installed wrong ones, always change with the manual's suggestion part #). Great reliable car.
Not as good as my 97SL2 but . . .outside of normal maintenance, intake gasket-84K; radiator/water pump-115k and complete suspension from coils to struts-101k. $2500 for 120k miles still pretty good
270K miles on "Goldie" outside of normal maintenance, nothing until 180K-AC replaced & Radiator replaced; 190K lower control arms and the 250K transmission. So let's see - about $2400 over 12 years, not to bad.