1999 Saturn SL Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 11%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Saturn SL, 11% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,750 miles. 12 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.
“Our 99 Saturn sl2 sedan was involved in a 3 car accident. The Saturn was first rear ended by another vehicle first at about 45 MPH, then slammed into a car in front of our car which was stopped. The seat back broke (to the recline position). Further the air bags did not deploy. Luckily the seat belts were being worn at the time of the accident, and no injuries occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10156520, filed 2006-05, 90,000 miles“I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green I made a right turn and turned to close to the curb and bumped it and both airbags deployed. The dealer says it's not their responsibility to fix, that I should call my insurance company and make a claim. My insurance says that if I make a claim I could be canceled since I have two prior claims that have been filed. All I did was catch the curb with the side of my front tire. The dealer says it will cost $2,100.00 to repair. The car is a 1999 Saturn SL and is not worth that. …”
NHTSA complaint #10259406, filed 2009-02, 111,445 miles“I was involved in a rear end collision to my 1999 sl1 Saturn sedan that caused the rear seat to collapse so that I was prone after the accident and neither air bag deployed (driver or passenger).”
NHTSA complaint #10173101, filed 2006-11, 79,500 miles“Problems with air bag light illuminating. The consumers had problems with the air bag light flashing in the dash. When taken to the service dealer they determined that the passenger frontal development loop had low resistance and the electrical circuits would have to determine the root cause as to why the light continue to flash on and off.”
NHTSA complaint #10043934, filed 2003-10, 8,246 miles“Dt: the contact stated while pulling into a parking area the vehicle lightly hit a curb. The front air bags deployed. Vehicle was traveling under 5 MPH. The manufacturer said the air bags would deploy under any circumstances. However, the service manual said the air bags would deploy from an impact while traveling 10-15 MPH. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the reason for the air bag deployment under 5 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10142841, filed 2005-11, 42,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 9 | 7% |
| 2001 | 13 | 12% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 11% |
| 1998 | 8 | 5% |
| 1997 | 17 | 7% |
| 1996 | 18 | 6% |
| 1995 | 31 | 9% |
| 1994 | 20 | 7% |
| 1993 | 10 | 6% |
| 1992 | 3 | 2% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1999 Saturn SL
45 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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