1996 Saturn SL Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 6%of 287 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,420miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Saturn SL, 6% of the 287 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,420 miles. 4 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.
“When trying to reset the cruise control accelerator pedal went down to the floor, causing the vehicle to accelerate up to 70 MPH. After a couple of seconds accelerator pedal popped up, and the vehicle began to slow down.”
NHTSA complaint #10047924, filed 2003-12, 100,015 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Saturn sl2. While driving less than 10 MPH and engaging the brake pedal the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. In order to stop the acceleration, the contact had shift into neutral gear and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact had the coolant temperature sensor harness replaced. There were no prior warnings. The failure mileage was 76,824. Updated 02/17/10. Updated 02/18/10”
NHTSA complaint #10299775, filed 2010-01, 76,824 miles“When turning on cruise control, the throttle stuck, causing vehicle to increase speed, and would not decrease speed when applying brakes. Consumer tried to engage / disengage cruise control, but engine continue to run at high rpms. Consumer resulted to using heavy braking to control vehicle speed. Vehicle was brought to dealer, where mechanic was able to force throttle and replaced cruise control.”
NHTSA complaint #825991, filed 1998-07“While driving the vehicle the vehicle will just take off without any warning this has happen several times. Call the dlr and they said that they can not do any thing. The power makes a loud noise and decreases speed all by itself. The it will loss speed and then die out shutting the whole vehicle off.”
NHTSA complaint #816070, filed 1997-09“Driver was driving and set cruise control at freeway speed, began to exit, touched the break to shut cruise off, cruise control did not shut off. Stood on brake pedal to slow vehicle, removed pressure momentarily and vehicle attempted to accelerate to set cruise speed, turned off cruise at main switch, lost control of vehicle, hit guardrail, and vehicle spun around and had approximately 55mph impact to rear from the guardrail.”
NHTSA complaint #781464, filed 1998-10Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1997 | 9 | 4% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 24 | 7% |
| 1994 | 37 | 13% |
| 1993 | 19 | 11% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1996 Saturn SL
63 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsElectrical system
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsSeats
15 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 31, 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