1997 Saturn SL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 14%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,722miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Saturn SL, 14% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,722 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We experienced a dashboard fire in our 1997 Saturn sl1 in the fall of 2003. My wife turned the key, started the car, shifted to reverse, and began backing up when the engine quit, the car jolted to a stop, and the interior immediately filled with acrid smoke. The knoxville Saturn dealer replaced the ignition switch and wiring--not cheap. This is obviously a safety-related event.”
NHTSA complaint #10056916, filed 2004-02, 54,000 miles“Started my car, it ran a few seconds, then died. Before I could restart it, smoke started pouring out of the steering column and I smelled an electrical fire. I didn't start it again but found help to disconnect my battery. It's on it's way to the nearby Saturn dealer who refuses to provide me with a loan car. I think this is a very unusual problem, and I've driven a lot of clunkers in the past without having to deal with anything like this.”
NHTSA complaint #10199842, filed 2007-08, 157,645 miles“1997 Saturn sl2. Started engine, it ran a few seconds, then stopped with electrical smelling smoke flowing from under dashboard into car. After it stopped, it could still be cranked over but would not fire and run. We got out of the car and pushed it into our garage, where it still sits.”
NHTSA complaint #10118425, filed 2005-04, 77,000 miles“No prior indication of a fault. On march 26, 2005 my wife went to start the car and not only would it not start, but smoke started coming up from the dashboard. Upon having it towed to a Saturn dealer, we were told that the iginition switch had failed and had burnt out the wiring harness. This car has 48849 miles on it. This just does not make any reason, as should iginition swaiches go bad on a low mileage car and cause so much additional damage?”
NHTSA complaint #10116044, filed 2005-03, 48,849 miles“When starting the vehicle smoke was coming from underneath the dashboard. Dealer stated wiring harness melted. As a result, the vehicle became inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #10065427, filed 2004-04, 64,443 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10233368Mar 10, 2023This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor…
- 10233366Mar 10, 2023This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor…
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 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…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 43 | 33% |
| 2001 | 29 | 26% |
| 2000 | 26 | 18% |
| 1999 | 20 | 11% |
| 1998 | 16 | 10% |
| 1997 | 31 | 14% |
| 1996 | 40 | 14% |
| 1995 | 27 | 8% |
| 1994 | 23 | 8% |
| 1993 | 19 | 11% |
| 1992 | 16 | 13% |
| 1991 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Saturn SL
38 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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