1999 Saturn SL
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.
- Complaints
- 178
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1999
None on file
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1999: 178 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 131 |
| 1993 | 179 |
| 1994 | 303 |
| 1995 | 356 |
| 1996 | 287 |
| 1997 | 227 |
| 1998 | 168 |
| 1999 | 178 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 111 |
| 2002 | 131 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
28% · 49 reportsMost commonly citing engine and cooling system.
Service brakes
18% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
13% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Electrical system
13% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saturn SL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes were applied to prevent from crashing into another vehicle that had disobeyed the stop sign.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-11
Also filed under Air bags
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2020-06-19
Also filed under Engine
Air bags
11% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
The safety mandated air bag label on the head rest of the child car seat was pulled off while by my 10 month old child while she was rear facing and we were driving. I noticed she was choking and looked back to see she was blue and not breathing.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-22
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1999-10-29Seat belts99V280000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS No. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." Some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
1999 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 49 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 23 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V280000 · Seat belts
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1999 Saturn SL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Saturn SL is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1999 Saturn SL?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1999 Saturn SL have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.