MYRModel Year Report

1996 Saturn SL

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Saturn SL
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
287
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1995: 356 complaints 1996: 287 complaints 1996 287 1997: 227 complaints 1998: 168 complaints 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 287 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 287 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002

1996: 287 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199129
1992131
1993179
1994303
1995356
1996287
1997227
1998168
1999178
2000148
2001111
2002131

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

24% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that while car was running the engine caught on fire, fire started under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-26

Service brakes

16% · 47 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

15% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing horn and ignition.

Power train

13% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Unsatisfactory responses from Saturn customer service; repairs that should be covered per Californias lemon law for our 1996 Saturn SL1 with only 46K miles. Rote to GM & Saturn ceo's. They lie and do not stand behind their crappy product.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-06

Also filed under Seats

Car will not hold in fifth gear when putting it in fifth gear it slips out . Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-21

Steering

7% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Saturn SL. While making a right turn at 20 MPH, the steering wheel turned right and left independently. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear driver side of another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-04

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Saturn SL. The contact stated that the ignition key was very difficult to turn when the contact attempted to start the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-14

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 287 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-08-29Steering97V138000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. The pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 47 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 43 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V138000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Saturn SL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Saturn SL is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Saturn SL?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Saturn SL have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-06 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.