1996 Saturn SL problems
Owners have filed 369 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 19% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 13.6%.
Complaints369
Crashes56
Fires2
Injuries52
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 19.0% · 70
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.6% · 50
Electrical system 12.2% · 45
Power train 10.0% · 37
Steering 5.7% · 21
Air bags 5.1% · 19
Vehicle speed control 4.9% · 18
Visibility 4.6% · 17
Severity
Of those complaints, 56 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire, 52 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Saturn SL in this data, 1996 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1995 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 7 in the last three years against 8 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97,770 miles.
In owners' own words
Consumer backed out driveway. On right side of driveway where the front of vehicle was sitting, there was brown oil/water mixture. When she opened the hood and looked into the reservoir there was a colored liquid. Mechanic discovered a cracked engine cylinder. Checked computer and found a bulletin--id. #96-T-65a--issued feb. 1997,That deals with this problem. Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 1996 Saturn sl2. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated intermittently and was taken to the dealer. The dealer discovered that the spark plugs were set at different specifications, which was the cause of failure. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 175,000 and failure mileage was 148,000. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 148,000 miles
1996 Saturn SL-1 cylinder head cracked. A known defect to the Saturn corporation.$2400 To fix! My "check engine soon" light comes on often. Saturn finds nothing! Http://www.Carsurvey.Org/viewmorecomments_review_5215_1.Html simply "google" Saturn + cylinder + head http://www.Consumeraffairs.Com/automotive/saturn_engine.Html Engine and engine cooling · reported at 77,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…