1997 Saturn SL Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Saturn SL, 4% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,000 miles.
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 (vehicle in motion) the vehicle shuts down completely. At times when the key is turned in the ignition switch nothing happens; no electrical power but battery is fine and everything else checks out ok except the ignition switch. It has all the characteristics of GM vehicles that experienced fatalities with faulty ignition switches. This has occurred on several occasions the last instance was on may 10, 2016.”
NHTSA complaint #10865085, filed 2016-05, 149,000 miles“I have a 1997 Saturn sl2. It has apx 78k miles. My car has been going thru alot of oil. I took it in to the dealership and was told that the problem had something to do with the motor and was going to cost apx 4k to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10086694, filed 2004-08“I recently had a frightening experience in my Saturn, only to be humiliated by the service manager and owner of the torrance dealership. Sunday night- I left my friends house to go home. Up until now my Saturn always ran perfectly and I took it in to the Saturn dealership for regularly scheduled maintenance. As soon as I started driving the car down the street I heard a loud metal bang under my car. It was incredibly frightening - I thought I ran over a bomb. Then I wanted to pull over so I continued to drive to pull over to the side. …”
NHTSA complaint #719126, filed 2000-02“Fabric on instrument panel next to speakers burned out. Left car parked for a couple of days and back deck panel burned right through. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer said that consumer is doing something to cause the fabric to burn. Consumer states sun is burning the fabric.”
NHTSA complaint #850565, filed 1999-10Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 4 | 4% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 2% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 8 | 3% |
| 1993 | 3 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
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 29, 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