1996 Saturn SL Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the tires of the 1996 Saturn SL, 5% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving 65 MPH rear passenger's side tire tread separated. As a result the rear quarter panel and bumper were severely damaged. No impact reported.”
NHTSA complaint #10081434, filed 2004-09, 65,000 miles“My tire blew out while driving from long beach, ca. To phoenix, az. Which is about six hours away. About an hour outside of phoenix my tire blew out. I lost control of the car and it went off the road and rolled 2 - 3 times. I experienced minor injuries to my head and other places on my body. I also experienced whiplash that affected my memory and concentration.”
NHTSA complaint #760012, filed 2002-03“The sidewalls on this tire literally disintegrated at 70 miles an hour. No warning. No slow loss of pressure. A catastrophic loss of pressure. The sidewall of the tire looked like it had been attacked by a madman with a knife, almost severed from the tread. I thought I was being attacked by a helicopter.( DOT number: tire size: 175/70-r14 )”
NHTSA complaint #730503, filed 2000-09“I was returning to hamilton, mt from having my car in for it's 24,000 service at the Saturn dealer in spokane, wa. I exited I-90 at the liberty lake exit and, as I was approaching the end of the ramp, my passenger side front tire blew out. My speed was approximately 30mph. I informed Saturn of this by telephone 9/14/00. No vehicle damage was done and a tire dealer was a block away so I purchased a new set of tires (dayton). I was not comfortable with continuing to keep the 3 tires that had not blown out on my vehicle.ak( DOT number: tire size: p195/60r15 )”
NHTSA complaint #731568, filed 2000-09“Rear tire failure caused loss of control of vehicle. 45 MPH speed at time of incident. No steering control once rear tire deflated. Road conditions were damp road, asphalt surface with some sand on the surface. On-ramp onto freeway with 45 MPH speed limit. Vehicle turned right 90 degrees after tire failure and left the roadway. Vehicle was a total loss. ( DOT number: tire size: p19565t15 )”
NHTSA complaint #720748, filed 2000-03Related service bulletins
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 4 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 7% |
| 1999 | 12 | 7% |
| 1998 | 12 | 7% |
| 1997 | 16 | 7% |
| 1996 | 13 | 5% |
| 1995 | 12 | 3% |
| 1994 | 6 | 2% |
| 1993 | 9 | 5% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
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 complaintsSeats
15 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