1997 Saturn SL Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Saturn SL, 1% of the 227 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Rred one year ago. I took it to the dealer and he fixed it. Now it is falling again. It seems that it is more likely to fail when headlamp is off. In addition, I also saw other cars of same model had the similar failures.”
NHTSA complaint #721409, filed 2000-04“Was driving approximately 50mph and was merging into traffic when transmission locked in gear and failed to change. Consumer stated prior to purchasing vehicle she complained of a clunk noise when changed gears into reverse, also the driver side brake light is inoperable, also the right side mirror needed to be replaced, engine mounts were replaced,brakes were replaced, serpentine belt was cracked, engine overheats.”
NHTSA complaint #898710, filed 2001-11Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Saturn SL
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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