1999 Saturn SL Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Saturn SL, 1% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,000 miles.
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.
“I just received a 1999 Saturn SL 2 series a year ago from my mother for my very first car. I got it at about 100,000 miles and it is now currently at 122,446. I noticed about a month ago while I would be driving, usually after about 1-2 miles after starting up the car and driving, my gears began to slip. I kept up with just about monthly oil changes, accompanied by transmission fluid checked and topped off. My transmission oil has never been low. Then, about 4 days ago I went to leave from my work orientation, and I couldn?t back up my car from my parking spot, the reverse had went out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11329753, filed 2020-06, 118,000 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Saturn SL. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning and restarted after ten minutes. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the ignition failed to release the key. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 11/23/15”
NHTSA complaint #10766344, filed 2015-09, 140,000 milesEngine: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Saturn SL
45 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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