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.
Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Saturn SL
Saturn SL Models:
Saturn SL Problems
Noise From Front of Engine Due to Timing Chain
Engine --
Verified
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
Electrical & Lights --
Verified
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
Suspension & Steering --
Verified
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.
Transmission Fluid Leak From Cooler Line
Drive Train --
Verified
The rubber section of an automatic transmission cooler line may develop a fluid leak . In some cases the leaking section of hose can be replaced. In others, the complete cooler line must be replaced to correct this concern.
Saturn SL Recalls (Recent)
Saturn SL Recall 99V280000
Body, Interior & Misc., October 29, 1999
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 SL Recall 99V297000
Body, Interior & Misc., October 29, 1999
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 SL Recall 99V232000
Body, Interior & Misc., August 24, 1999
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.
Learn more »Saturn SL Recall 00V310000
Drive Train, October 6, 2000
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 SL Recall 94V217000
Drive Train, October 27, 1994
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Learn more »Saturn SL Questions and Answers
sixate, 1991 Saturn SL, 1.9L 4 Cylinder SOHC, Wooster, OH
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)
sixate, 1991 Saturn SL, 1.9L 4 Cylinder SOHC, Wooster, OH
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 exc...
Visitor, 1991 Saturn SL, Los Angeles, CA
i have a 1991 saturn i turn it on and for two minutes later car shuts off
jeramy0927, 1991 Saturn SL, 1.9L 4 Cylinder DOHC, Palm Coast, FL
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
MRMSOK, 1991 Saturn SL, 1.9L 4 Cylinder SOHC, Lakewood, CA
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
Write a Review About Your Car
Saturn SL Reviews
Best car ever owned!! Bought my car new with only 1 mile on the odometer. Even being 6'3 300+LBS I fit comfortably. Anyways I now have 211,000 miles and up until today all I've ever done is routine oil changes brakes and tires. Radiator finally gave out and had to replace the EGR valve. Even my mechanic was impressed. The only thing I can complain about is I wont be able to buy another when my car finally does stop going thanks to Saturn shutting its doors.
111,000 Miles. Bought New.
Three set's of tires,two mufflers,one Radiator fan motor,1 gas tank strap,two brake jobs with new front rotors,one Idle control module,Rear brake lines replaced,one idler arm bushing,one fan belt,three Batteries,one used A.C.Compressor! Needs: New Power steering pump. Main shaft seal leaking oil onto fan belt destroying the new belt. Automatic seat belt relay switch under rear of console needs to be hit with fist to activate. Ignition key assembly wearing out. Not much power going up hills, sometimes have to go to passing gear. But with almost forty (40 MPG) with a light foot under 50MPH. I'll try to get another 50K from it.
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.
Saturn SL Model Years
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