1997 Saturn SL Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 7%of 227 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,844miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the tires of the 1997 Saturn SL, 7% of the 227 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,844 miles. 2 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.
“While driving 60 MPH, the consumer lost steering control. This caused the consumer to hit a tree. The vehicle was towed. Please provide more information. . Driver sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10105021, filed 2004-12, 72,844 miles“Traveling east on I-75 between naples, florida and ft. Lauderdale, florida at approximately 6:00 p.m. I heard a strange noise coming from under the car. Immediately the car began pulling to the right. I looked in my rearview mirror to see tread flying up from under the car. I pulled over and saw my front left tire's tread separated completely. I could even see the steel radials exposed. (DOT number: w2epbca466 tiresize: 175/70 r14)”
NHTSA complaint #744837, filed 2001-05“I recently took my 1997 Saturn in to discount tire for my tire rotation that they provide when you purchase tires from them. I took my vehicle in because of the wear on the outer edges of the front tires. The front tires are worn but not down to the wear indicators and the rear tires are in much better condition and have much more tread. I was told by their representative that they would not rotate my tires because the best tires were already in the rear , and that it is much safer to have bad tires in the front than in the rear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039241, filed 2003-09“I took my Saturn for it's yearly inspection at my local Saturn dealer. They told me my driverside front tire was worn, but not due to normal wear, the treads were ready to peel off. They told me the car would not pass inspection as is because of the tire and I had them put a new firestone tire on. I then brought the bad tire to firestone and told them what happened. They said they could only replace the tire and not give a refund on the tire. I feel firestone should give me a refund on the tire because the tire was'nt worn out normaly and the car needed that tire to pass inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #735584, filed 2000-11“Two replacement tires in the front of a 1997 Saturn SL, fr480, p175/or14-845, DOT hyep, tread is separating at 28,000 miles. Consumer took vehicle to mech. He took tires off and said inside was worse than the outside, and tread was getting ready to separate from the sidewall.”
NHTSA complaint #869253, filed 2000-08Related 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 1997 Saturn SL
38 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSeats
17 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 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