1998 Saturn SLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 168 owner complaints about the 1998 Saturn SL, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 30, 2014. Updated daily.
Where the 1998 Saturn SL has problems
168 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 33 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 0 |
| Visibility | 17 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 17 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 16 | 1 |
| Tires | 12 | 1 |
| Structure | 9 | 2 |
| Air bags | 8 | 7 |
| 15 other systems | 49 | 10 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1998 Saturn SL recalls and how many were fixed
No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.
1998 vs. every other SL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SL median. How we score
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1998 Saturn SL safety ratings
1998 Saturn SL 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
What SL owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL! *TR
WHILE PARKING MY 1898 SATURN SL IN A HOSPITAL GARAGE, THE SHIFT LEVER WENT LIMP WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPERATE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I REMOVED THE CONSOLE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONNECTS THE MANUAL SHIFT LEVER TO THE SHIFT CABLE WAS MISSING. THERE WAS NO LONGER…
MY 23 YR OLD SON WAS TRAVELING FROM VENTURA, CA AT 75 MPH ON FWY 99 N BOUND IN THE MIDDLE LANE (OF 3) AT ABOUT 1 A.M. IN FRESNO, CA. JUST BEFORE ARRIVING AT HIS EXIT TO HWY 41 N, THE REAR END BEGAN TO SKID TO THE LEFT. DRIVER STEERED INTO THE SKID TO CORRECT WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE…
Own a 1998 SL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.