Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1996 Saturn SL Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
287Complaints
2Recalls
50Crashes
2Fires
44Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (11.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 32 · 11.1% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 18 · 6.3% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 16 · 5.6% | not available | — |
| Electrical System:horn | 16 · 5.6% | not available | — |
| Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 12 · 4.2% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 11 · 3.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 287 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 2 campaigns
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
NHTSA campaign 97V138000 · 1997 · reported 08/29/1997
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ENGINE OIL LEAKED INTO COOLANT SYSTEM CAUSE OVERHEATING AFTER ENGINE RAN OUT OF OIL. CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD WAS THE CAUSE AFTER TALKED TO DEALER. ALSO…”NHTSA complaint 739363 — filed 01/15/2001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED WHILE I WAS COMMUTING HOME FROM WORK. IT COST ME 2000.00 PLUS TO REPAIR. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE…”NHTSA complaint 736540 — filed 11/19/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“VEHICLE LUNGES WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND GEARS AREN'T SHIFTING CORRECTLY, DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 555683 — filed 10/02/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Saturn SL?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 32 of 287 NHTSA complaints (11.1%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (18), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (16), electrical system:horn (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have?
287 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 50 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 44 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 1996 Saturn SL have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1996 Saturn SL's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
