1998 Saturn SL Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 17%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Saturn SL, 17% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1998 Saturn (1.9)had oil in the coolant. It had a crack in the # 3 cam journal. The car only had 72188 miles. I had followed all their regular service. I knew that they had problems with the head in 1994 and 1995 models. But was told that problem was fixed. Cost was $1990.”
NHTSA complaint #10016343, filed 2003-04, 72,194 miles“For the past 2-3 years I have had a massive oil consumption problem with my Saturn sl2 '98. I brought it to two Saturn dealerships who told me that I had no leak nor was my car burning oil, in essence that I was imagining this problem. In july of 2003, the problem had gotten so bad that I was adding oil every 100 miles, then the car broke down and I brought it to a Saturn dealership. They said it was the timing belt/gasket and I replaced them on their recommendation that it would fix all the problems - cost $1000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043370, filed 2003-10, 60,000 miles“The car was parked at home saturday night, went to drive it sunday and it made a strange noise. The car was brought to the mechanic who sent it to Saturn where it was determined to have a blown motor (the car only has 40,000 miles on it,and the oil was changed regularly).”
NHTSA complaint #10073291, filed 2004-05, 40,000 miles“Cracked cylinder head on 1998 sl1 Saturn with 70,000 miles. Car was loosing coolant. Cost $2,000 in labor to repair, problem seems to appear with other consumers complaining as well. Manufacturer should consider this a defect and reimburse for cost of reapir.”
NHTSA complaint #10102855, filed 2004-12, 70,000 miles“The vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The cam switch was replaced twice, the idle control was adjusted and the throttle was replaced yet the problem recurred. The vehicle lunged forward when the vehicle was shifted in reverse. The transmission was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10001275, filed 2002-12, 11,979 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 16 | 12% |
| 2001 | 18 | 16% |
| 2000 | 34 | 23% |
| 1999 | 45 | 25% |
| 1998 | 28 | 17% |
| 1997 | 38 | 17% |
| 1996 | 63 | 22% |
| 1995 | 67 | 19% |
| 1994 | 38 | 13% |
| 1993 | 30 | 17% |
| 1992 | 24 | 20% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Saturn SL
33 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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