1998 Saturn SL Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 168 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Saturn SL, 4% of the 168 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Cruise control will not disengage by depressing brake, using the off switch, or depressing the clutch. Also, when this occurs, the speed slowly but steadily increases. The only way to correct the problem is to turn off the ignition, or press the brake until the car stops and the engine dies.”
NHTSA complaint #10158428, filed 2006-05, 94,000 miles“My mother and I were driving south on I-95, mile marker 277 (north of daytona) with the cruise control set for 72 miles per hour. I was in the right lane, and as I approached a car going slower, I applied the brakes to release the cruise control. It would not turn off, so I moved to the left lane and tried repeatedly to release it. I was about the hit the rear of the car infront of me, and it seemed like I was accelerating rather than decelerating. I could not slow down so went into the median strip, and still was unable to slow down.it seemed I was unable to even depress the brake pedal. …”
NHTSA complaint #753785, filed 2001-10“When I don't let the car warm up for a while the gas pedal sticks and will not come back off of the acceleration unless you pull it up or if it releases for some strange reason.”
NHTSA complaint #737949, filed 2000-12“Throttle: sitting at a stop sign and pulled off and felt like it wasn't getting any gas. Put foot on gas pedal, and suddenly it stuck open and stayed. Had to put in neutral and turn car off and restart.”
NHTSA complaint #820256, filed 1998-01Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 4% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1997 | 9 | 4% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 24 | 7% |
| 1994 | 37 | 13% |
| 1993 | 19 | 11% |
| 1992 | 6 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Saturn SL
33 complaintsEngine cooling
28 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 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