Severe rust out of the suspension sub-frame (engine cradle) along the left side, particularly at the lower control arm mount pocket. This condition was caught before the left front lower control arm broke loose due to the rusted sub-frame. Rust condition was confined to the left side of the sub-frame with no apparent issue with the right side or cross beams. Brought to saturn's attention but concern was denied as the "vehicle is out of warranty". Saturn never addressed the issue that the sub-frame is a component that should last the lifetime of the vehicle. *Tr
Engine & cooling
1997 Saturn SL Engine problems
Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 16% of all its complaints, most recently on November 12, 2014. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 42
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
"Engine runs hot & engine oil mixed with coolant reservoir (replace cylinder head assembly)" that's what it states on service bulletin 96-t-65b. From what I've read this happens a lot on 91-97 saturns. Our saturn started off by having chocolate milkshake colored foamy-ness in the coolant reservoir (it's had that since we got it 2 years ago so not sure how long it's had this), then it over heated, then the low coolant & coolant temp lights started flashing, then the 2nd spark plug blew out 3 times now (in the last 3 months)! If saturn knows about this why have they not recalled it??? We have got the spark plug repaired now 3 times & not sure where to go from here. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sl2. While driving 35 mph, the contact noticed smoke rising from the hood. He then pulled over as the smoke turned into flames. After he extinguished the fire, he restarted the vehicle and oil sprayed out from the cylinder head. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 131,000. Updated 01-11-08. *Kb updated 12/12/07 *tr
A extreme problem with oil consumption since the time of ownership of the vehicle and the problem is getting worse with every mile driven. I am at the point now of putting/adding 2-3 quarts of oil every 300-400 miles. Engine freeze is now on the horizon due to sludge build-up. And I've been told this is what saturns do. Can this be right to the consumer. *Nm
Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. They found that it was the cam shaft sensor that was defective. No repairs were made.*Ak
Head gasket blew at 68,00 miles in my 1997 saturn sl1. Saturn customer service told me it was not due to any negligence on my part, and they were unable to explain the reason for this defect.*Ak
The consumer was at a stop sign when the vehicle shut down. The consumer started the vehicle, and had not serviced it as of yet. However the radiator was replaced. *Ak there was a loud noise in the vehicle. The consumer was informed that a new engine was needed. The #1 cylinder was severely leaking oil and caused a misfire in this cylinder. The spark plugs were bad and needed to be replaced. Other problems were: the radiator was leaking, the valve cover gasket was leaking and was replaced and had...
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loosened up again, the rear brakes and drums needed replacement, the sway bar links were bad, the motor mount was bad, the idler pulley needed to be replaced, the gas pedal would stick, four new tires were needed and the horn was inoperative. *Sc *jb
Oil found in coolant in my 1997 saturn sl in summer 2004 after minor front-end collision. In the 2-3 months prior to collision, I had to add coolant every 3-4 weeks, as coolant low warning light would come on. Coolant had normal appearance prior to accident. Car ran fine, temp gauge never went above normal. Car had @ 78,000 miles when this began to happen. Advised by mechanic friend that I had probably begun to develop a cracked head before accident, this was a common occurrence in saturns built in 90's. The...
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collision possibly worsened condition. He advised that head would certainly need to be replaced, but car could potentially run for some time before overheating problems developed-stated I would have an expensive repair, and I could repair now or wait until I had to replace part. He advised careful watching of gauge and oil if I chose to wait. Car ran fine for 6 full months after oil first found in coolant, with frequent oil "top-offs" and religious watching of temp gauge, which never wavered from normal in those 6 months. Absolutely no noticeable effect on car's performance. In late november car finally overheated. The cracked head I knew I had 6 months ago is now being replaced. I am fortunate to have "friends in the business," so my repair will not be as expensive as the folks forced to go to the dealership. I am repairing this car because other than this incident, the only mechanical repairs needed have been a few minor replacement campaign program items (horn issue and steering issue) taken care of for free by the dealer and one minor oil leak fixed under warranty. *Jb
Defect details: design flaw in the engine cylinder head assembly causes cracks in the cylinder head. Allows motor oil to leak into the cooling system/radiator mixing with engine coolant in the engine coolant recovery reservoir. Makes the car run hot, result in overheating with potential to result in crashes. Solution: to replace cylinder head assembly gm/saturn response: complaint filed with gm on september 10, 2004 via written letter. Gm response to that letter was a courtesy call to "thank" us for our...
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"feedback" and how it will be put in a database for their engineers to utilize in future design. What a joke. No help or resolution offered. No recall or any other notice was sent verbally or in writing to us. Refused to stand behind their defective product. Had prior knowledge of defect and failed to disclose to us. Amounts to fraudulent business and unfair trade practices. Gm/saturn knew about this flaw in 1997 saturn sl-1 when they sold the car to us, but never disclosed it and never offered to fix it. Refer to bulletin number 96t65 and bulletin date: november 1996 on http://www.Edmunds.Com. In the last 12 months, our car had to be brought to a mechanic twice due to "close to overheating". The car is 7 1/2 years old and has less than 85,000 miles on it with oil changes on time & all recommended maint. On time. Since gm/saturn dealership in reno, nevada did not offer to fix the defect, we got it fixed by another mechanic. Cost = $1827.25. We believe this is fraudulent business practice on part of gm/saturn to knowingly sell their defective car to consumers without disclosing this at the time of sale and never offering to fix the defect eventhough it may cause accidents and put safety of the occupants at risk. We are seeking for reimbursement of the cost of repairing this known defective product from gm. A copy of that request will be mailed to you separately. We hope your agency has the authority and passion to do something about it. *Nm
Defective engine cylinder head assembly, engine runs hot & oil mixed with coolant in engine. *Bf the consumer was not informed of the defects when purchasing the vehicle. No recall for consumer problems with vehicle. *Tc
While driving at app. 45 Mph on a city road there was a loud clunking sound in the engine followed by a continuous rattle. I pulled off the road and turned off the vehicle. The serpentine belt had come off the pulley by 3/4 inch. I proceeded to get the belt so that it would not work itself off. I promptly went to the local exxon and pulled off the belt and put the car on a lift. After inspection it was noted that the alternator bracket..An extension of the engine block, had broken off cleanly. After...
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consulting with the mechanics there, and 2 other ase certified mechanics, it was determined that the cause was a defect in the casting of the engine block. I contacted the local saturn dealership who was of no help. I will be having the braking tig welded back on monday, then driving to the dealership with pictures and documentation asking for reimbursement of the cost. *La
Excess oil consumption: vehicle could stop without warning as a result of engine burn-up. Saturn denies responsibility for defective engine.*Ak
Vehicle is leaking oil, needed to replace the head gasket. Dealer stated never heard something like this. *Ak
CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION.
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
The consumer stated that the torque axis motor mounts had broken at 30,000 miles and at 60,000 miles. Mr scc
Approximately two quarts oil consumption every 3000 miles. Problem existed in previous '92 saturn sl1 and my current car '1997 saturn sl2.*Ak
Air conditioner: foul smell like cat pee/ammonia after using a/c. Reported several times to dealer; they removed a/c parts and cleaned evaporator, etc but smell persists. Unsafe for owner's health to use a/c; odor causes headache and breathing trouble.*Ak
Engine cylinder head had a crack, and this was causing oil to leak into radiator fluid. Consumer felt engine could burn up. *Ak *yh
We got car from saturn of warwick leased then bought outright . The service issue we are about to tell was done at the saturn of seekonk loc. It is actually closer to our house. On jan, 16, 2002 we had to bring the saturn in for service because we started that day loosing anti freeze quickly then the car began to run hot but did not over heat, meanwhile the regular heat control didnt work 3 days prior to this incident and we had it sheduled for service that coming sat. We drop it off, car running hot but never...
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overheated the tech only put that in his report . Keep in mind we had no symptoms described by dealer letting us know that we were having problems like run sluggish, not starting at all etc. We had just driven 900 miles up and back over the thanksgiving holiday absolutely no problems. The tech contacts david my husband the next day to tell him the problem . The tech states we have a cracked head and even though its out of manf. Warranty saturn would fix it under warranty suddenly I get a call at my work the service tech says found more damage underneath engine that it had been burn oil and transmission fluid together which no evidence of this existed, didnt seem right stating we really need a new engine which runsabout $3200.00 And they say they wont replace it instead rebuild it if we make a donation of $600. To saturn. We know this wasn't right from the start they could'nt tell us what caused this to happen instead blamed it on poor maint. And claimed to be doing us a favor by only charging 600.00 To rebuild engine which we know was the cost of the new head dealer covering up. This is why they made it look like they were doing a favor the car was maint. And engine heads just dont crack at 70,000 miles. Plant person in tenn. Just agreed with deaier. Pls check edmunds.Com saturn repair compl. Plsck we arent only snow job rec. Pls. Can you help us? We want out of the car still owe $4000. Who would buy with this issue can you help solve.*Ak
HEAD GASKET LEAKING - REPLACED (COST ABOUT $1200). *AK
Cylinder head failure between lubrication ports and cooling system, resulting in contamination of cooling system with oil.
Engine is burning oil. Vehicle is burning more oil than required. Also consumer doesn't know where oil is going ,vehicle is not leaking nor smoking. Contacted dealer, and dealer did test on engine and found nothing wrong.*Ak
This vehicle is burning oil--i have the oil changed every 2,000 to 3,000 miles but I have had to add oil every week--there is no oil leak that is visible and on accassio I have had no oil but the day or so before it is reading that the oil is full. *Ak
Was driving approximately 50mph and was merging into traffic when transmission locked in gear and failed to change.*Ak consumer stated prior to purchasing vehicle she complained of a clunk noise when changed gears into reverse, also the driver side brake light is inoperable, also the right side mirror needed to be replaced, engine mounts were replaced,brakes were replaced, serpentine belt was cracked, engine overheats.*Slc
Saturn SL engine complaints by year
SL engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data