1996 Saturn SL Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seats of the 1996 Saturn SL, 5% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,500 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were stopped at a red light, when another vehicle rear ended us. Our 22-month old son was in his car seat in the rear, behind the passenger seat. After our vehicle was hit, the seat latch on the front passenger seat released. The seat fully reclined, striking our son in the face. He suffered broken bones in his face as a result. If the seat latch had not released, he would not have been injured during the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #755113, filed 2001-11“Vehicle was at a standstill and was rear ended by another vehicle traveling about 45 MPH which pushed consumer's vehicle into the vehicle in front, causing driver's seatback to break, resulting in serious injuries. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #861154, filed 2000-05“Vehicle was at stop when it was rearended by vehicle with 35 MPH impact. At point of impact driver's seat clamp broke, causing driver to fall into a reclining position which could have caused injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #881240, filed 2001-02“Consumer stated the bench seats collapsed during a front end collision, the collapsed seat pushed consumers child into back of the front seat, dealer has been contacted. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8004007, filed 2002-02“Vehicle was rear ended at 15 MPH, the driver's seat back collapsed, consumer realized it was broken when it would not adjust properly, Saturn said the seat was up to standard.”
NHTSA complaint #785396, filed 2001-04Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 9 | 7% |
| 2001 | 6 | 5% |
| 2000 | 4 | 3% |
| 1999 | 8 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1997 | 17 | 7% |
| 1996 | 15 | 5% |
| 1995 | 69 | 19% |
| 1994 | 48 | 17% |
| 1993 | 21 | 12% |
| 1992 | 18 | 15% |
| 1991 | 4 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1996 Saturn SL
63 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsTires
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology