1998 Saturn SL Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 10%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the seat belts of the 1998 Saturn SL, 10% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,600 miles. 4 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.
“I was in an accident that totaled my car. I was only traveling 15-20 MPH when I hit a car with no lights on. I had two passengers in my car. All of us sustained injury because the seatbelts did not lock up and hold us. My back set passenger was on the driver's side and she was rushed to the hospital with facial injuries that left a gash under her left eye and run burn all over her face. My front passenger went flying into the from widshield and his head hit at the top right corner. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110019, filed 2005-02, 50,000 miles“While driving/parking seat belt latch unlocked from the belt buckle. Consumer was unable to wear seat belt correctly. Left front seat buckle were replaced on consumer's expense. Dealer wasn't able to explain the main cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10059765, filed 2004-04, 59,200 miles“Frequently when the front seat belts are buckled they appear to be secured, but are not and come undone. This is the onlu car I have ever driven that you are not locked into your seat belt when you think you are.”
NHTSA complaint #10118424, filed 2005-04, 500 miles“I was involved in a two car accident on 5/10/00. Another car pulled out infront of my Saturn, which caused a collision. I was doing 30-35 miles per hour at impact. Both air bags deployed, and the seatbelts restrained, but not completely. The passanger side completely pulled away from the vehicle casing. The part the belt loops around cracked, and the passanger did not receive any mark from the seatbelt, which makes me think the belt did not function correctly. …”
NHTSA complaint #722604, filed 2000-05“My brother was killed june 24, 2005, in a single car accident. He was driving a 1998 Saturn SL on an interstate in mississippi, the Saturn went out of control, his seatbelt (which he always wore) and he was ejected from the car. Since his death, I've found on NHTSA's site almost 30 different complaints from 1998 Saturn sly owners describing serious failures of that cars stability, brakes, steering, and air bags---all of which resulted in the car going out of control. Fortunately, the drivers in the 30 complaints I've found all stated that the injuries were not fatal. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130786, filed 2005-08Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 12 | 7% |
| 1998 | 17 | 10% |
| 1997 | 25 | 11% |
| 1996 | 6 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 3% |
| 1994 | 49 | 17% |
| 1993 | 15 | 9% |
| 1992 | 29 | 24% |
| 1991 | 12 | 41% |
Other parts of the 1998 Saturn SL
33 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsBrakes
20 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 31, 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