Total Complaints
222 filings
SATURN SL · model year
222 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998SATURNSL carries 222 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 2 fires, 32 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 SL is power train:automatic transmission with 18 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (14) and tires (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1998 SL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
222 filings
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 18 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 14 |
| TIRES | 10 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 7 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 6 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 4 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 4 |
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
Mileage: 101,000
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
Mileage: 101,000
I WAS DRIVING A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON THE AIRBAG BLEW UP IN MY FACE SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB I HAD BURNS ON MY FACE HEAD HANDS AND FORE ARMS MY RIBS WERE BRUISED AND SOME CONTUSIONS IN BACK AND KNEES. *TR
WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BETWEEN THE RUN AND OFF POSITIONS. WHEN STUCK THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR REMOVED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED NOR CAN THE KEY BE REMOVED. *TR
Mileage: 210,000
VEHICLE STALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, SO THE MECHANIC COULD NOT CHECK CODES. *TR
EXITING FREEWAY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CRASHED VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL, EQUIPPED WITH SUMMIT SIENPRE 6 TIRES, SIZE 185/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES HAD DEVELOPED LARGE BUBBLES IN THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
Mileage: 125,000
I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE 1998 SATURN SL1, WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION "TWO CARS BEHIND THE LEAD CAR ABOUT TO GO THROUGH INTERSECTION" THE DRIVER IN THE ON-COMING LANE DECIDE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF THE LEAD CAR IN ARE LANE. WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF ACCIDENTS. WHILE THE 1998 SATURN SL WAS INDEED THE LAST CAR TO HIT THE "PILE UP" UPON IMPACT I EXHALED AND TRIED TO RELAX MY BODY FOR IMPACT "LIKE I OBSERVED ON DISCOVERY'S MYTH BUSTERS" AFTER IMPACT AS I WAS ASKING MY FRIEND "DRIVER" IF SHE WAS OK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE! ... IF THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ME A 300PD GROWN MAN ID HATE TO SEE THE OUT COME IF A PERSON NOT OF MY MASS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. I FEEL AS IF THEY WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD... LIFE THREATENING INJURY'S WOULD OF MOST CERTAINLY OCCURRED. *TR
Mileage: 148,763
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Mileage: 180,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.
Mileage: 180,000
MY FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE TIRE FOR A 1998 SATURN SL2, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN USED, SHOWS TREAD SEPARATION. THE RUBBER IS SPLITTING APART IN THE TREAD AREA AND THE BELTS ARE SHOWING THROUGH. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO A PREVIOUS FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE I OWNED FOR A SATURN. THE TIRE IS SIZE T115/70R14 AND THE SERIAL NUMBER IS HYM7H5A377. THE TIRE IS ADMITTEDLY OLD, BUT THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE IS ALARMING CONSIDERING THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN USED. IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A NEW REPLACEMENT- TIRE DEALERS SAY TO GET A REPLACEMENT FROM A JUNK YARD, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A FULL SIZE SPARE WILL NOT FIT IN THE TRUNK'S TIRE WELL. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
MY 1998 SATURN SL2 HAS HAD A (HOT ENGINE) FAST IDLE (2000 RPM) CONDITION ON AND OFF FOR YEARS.. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SATURN DEALER,, THEN TO A GM DEALER THREE TIMES ALL TO NO AVAIL.. VARIOUS SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE CONDITION PERSISTS.. I HAVE SPENT NEAR $1000. IN LABOR COSTS, SENSORS ECT AND STILL I HAVE THE PROBLEM.. *TR
I PARKED MY CAR, A 5-SPEED MANUAL, AND THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON POPPED OUT, AND IS NOW BROKEN SO I CANNOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL. NOT SAFE CONSIDERING MY CAR IS A MANUAL. I AM ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT BUTTON, BUT HAVE NOT HAD MUCH LUCK SO FAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL1. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, SIZE P185/70/R14. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN ONE YEAR, SIX IDENTICAL TIRES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE FIRST SET REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE TIRES FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST AND THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB
Mileage: 10,000
WHEN PRESSING BRAKE AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND PUSHES FORWARD. YOU ARE FORCED TO BRAKE HARDER AND DIFFICULT TO STOP. *TR
I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES. *TR
I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES. *TR
1998 SATURN SL2 MUFFLER BROKE OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0070-91. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 181,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Mileage: 40,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED, THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW AND THICKENED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND MIXED INTO THE OIL DUE TO THE GASKET BREAKING DOWN FROM CONTACT WITH THE COOLANT. THE OIL MIXED WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
Mileage: 83,000
Electric Power Steering Failure
Electric Power Steering Failure
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.