no report yet
Front: anchorage
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
1999 Saturn SLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 178 owner complaints about the 1999 Saturn SL, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 19, 2020. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 Saturn SL has problems
178 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
45Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
28Service brakes, hydraulic4 crash/fire/injury
22Power train1 crash/fire/injury
20Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
20Air bags13 crash/fire/injury
12Tires
12Seat belts
8Seats
8Suspension
4012 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 45 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 28 | 4 |
| Power train | 22 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 1 |
| Air bags | 20 | 13 |
| Tires | 12 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 12 | 5 |
| Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Suspension | 8 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 40 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1999 Saturn SL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
70kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 22 engine and engine cooling complaints. 82% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 41% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
3under 30k miles18under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1999 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
'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1999 Saturn SL safety ratings
1999 Saturn SL 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What SL owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
OIL KEEPS COLLECTING IN THE WATER RESERVOIR SEEMS TO HAVE DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM VERY SUDDENLY TOOK IT TO A GARAGE AND THE HEAD MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS SO I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS SOMETHING OF A DESIGN FLAW THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED,AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE INFORMED…
ONCE MY SATURN SL AS AT LEAST 2 OTHERS THAT I KNOW OF THAT OWN THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE, HIT 100K MILES OR JUST SLIGHTLY OVER, THE HEAD GASKET BLOWS. I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL THIS POINT AND WOULD HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER IF THIS WASN'T A COMMON ISSUE WITH SATURNS. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE USED UP A LARGE AMOUNT OF RADIATOR FLUID. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS ON THE DRIVEWAY, HOWEVER THE RESERVOIR HAD TO BE REFILLED EVERY 3 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE, UPON INSPECTION, THERE WAS MOISTURE AROUND THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR…
Own a 1999 SL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.