Model Year Problem Record

Saturn SL 1996 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1996 Saturn SL: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

287Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

58Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine69

Brakes48

Vehicle Speed Control18

Seats16

Visibility16

Vehicle Structure13

Tires13

Fuel and Propulsion System9

Suspension8

Equipment7

Seat Belts6

Latches, Locks and Linkages5

Lighting5

Unknown Or Other2

Wheels1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine69 complaints

69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System43 complaints

43 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train37 complaints

37 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V138000.

Air Bags18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

97V138000Reported August 29, 1997 - 14,580 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 14,580 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19954

199633

199756

199823

199926

200037

200119

200220

200318

200421

20057

20064

20075

20085

20102

20111

20143

20152

20161

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.