1998 Saturn SL Problems, complaints & recalls

Coolant around the spark plug nearest the transmission, engine oil is visible in coolant tank. Internet search revealed a cracked head due to factory defect in head casting. Gm did not issue a recall! *Tr

I was driving a person ran a stop sign and I hit the vehicle head on the airbag blew up in my face sounded like a bomb I had burns on my face head hands and fore arms my ribs were bruised and some contusions in back and knees. *Tr

When turning off the car, the key gets stuck in the ignition switch between the run and off positions. When stuck the key cannot be turned or removed. The car cannot be started nor can the key be removed. *Tr

Vehicle stalled for unknown reason. No check-engine light went on, so the mechanic could not check codes. *Tr

Exiting freeway lost control of the car and crashed vehicle. *Tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 saturn sl, equipped with summit sienpre 6 tires, size 185/65/r15. The contact stated that he noticed that the rear driver and passenger tires had developed large bubbles in them. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were not replaced. The failure and current mileages on the tire were approximately 30,000. The failure and current mileages on the vehicle were approximately 125,000.

I was a passenger in the 1998 saturn sl1, while approaching an intersection "two cars behind the lead car about to go through intersection" the driver in the on-coming lane decide last minute to make a left hand turn at the intersection in front of the lead car in are lane. Which caused a chain reaction of accidents. While the 1998 saturn sl was indeed the last car to hit the "pile up" upon impact I exhaled and tried to relax my body for impact "like I observed on discovery's myth busters" after impact as I was ...

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 saturn sl2 sedan. While driving approximately 45 mph, the entire instrument panel and exterior lights began to flicker abnormally. The contact stated that the failure would occur intermittently. The contact reference nhtsa campaign id number: 09e012000 (exterior lighting) but his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting further inspection of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

My firestone compact spare tire for a 1998 saturn sl2, which has never been used, shows tread separation. The rubber is splitting apart in the tread area and the belts are showing through. This also happened to a previous firestone compact spare I owned for a saturn. The tire is size t115/70r14 and the serial number is hym7h5a377. The tire is admittedly old, but the extent of damage is alarming considering the tire has not been used. It has been impossible to find a new replacement- tire dealers say to get a replacement from a junk yard, but they would have the same problem. A full size spare will not fit in the trunk's tire well. *Tr

My 1998 saturn sl2 has had a (hot engine) fast idle (2000 rpm) condition on and off for years.. I have taken it to the saturn dealer,, then to a gm dealer three times all to no avail.. Various sensors have been replaced and the condition persists.. I have spent near $1000. In labor costs, sensors ect and still I have the problem.. *Tr

I parked my car, a 5-speed manual, and the parking brake release button popped out, and is now broken so I cannot use the parking brake at all. Not safe considering my car is a manual. I am attempting to locate a replacement button, but have not had much luck so far. *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 saturn sl1. The vehicle has goodyear assurance tires, size p185/70/r14. While driving approximately 65 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out without warning. Within one year, six identical tires in various locations failed without warning. The contact took the tires to the dealer and had the first set replaced. Shortly after the replacement, the tires failed. The manufacturer did not assist and the technician could not identify the cause of the failure. The contact has possession of the failed tires. The failure and current mileages were 10,000. Updated 03/09/09. *Lj updated 03/11/09. *Jb

When pressing brake and coming to a stop, the car accelerates and pushes forward. You are forced to brake harder and difficult to stop. *Tr

I have noted the driver of this vehicle is exposed to unusual activity of radio frequencies (in the 120-140mhz range) and the are pulsing and variable electromagnetic fields in the area of the driver's body. I am concerned with health effects on continued exposures. *Tr

1998 Saturn sl2 muffler broke off and hit another vehicle while driving 65 mph. *Kb ohio traffic crash report # 10-0070-91. *Jb

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 saturn s-series. While driving 40 mph, the check engine light illuminated and remained lit. The vehicle then began smoking and shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle several times, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle continued to overheat, constantly leaked antifreeze, and the fan did not work. The radiator hose was also damaged. The ignition failed and had to be replaced. The vin was unknown. The current mileage was 111,000 and failure mileage was 103,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 saturn sl2. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning and shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure occurs when the vehicle has traveled long distances. The dealer is unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The current mileage is 181,000 and failure mileage was 40,000. The vin was unavailable.

Dt*: the contact stated the coolant level indicator light illuminated. When the coolant was checked, the coolant level was low and thickened. On further investigation, coolant had been found mixed into the oil due to the gasket breaking down from contact with the coolant. The oil mixed with the coolant caused sludge build up in the engine. The contact notified the service dealer who recommended flushing the radiator. The manufacturer was notified.

During a rear end collision the back of the driver's seat released to full recline position. Leaving me which more severe injuries than I should have sustained. *Nm

Dt*: the contact stated the frontal airbags failed to deploy when the vehicle's front end impacted the rear of another while traveling 35 mph on a dry blacktop surface. A police report and photos were taken after the vehicle was towed away. One injury was sustained in the accident. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified. Updated 10/4/2006 - *nm

Gas leaking. Running low on gas after fill up. Had car looked at and there are holes in the gas line, running from the engine to gas tank. Fuel line is apparently is plastic and is deteriorating. *Jb

Cruise control will not disengage by depressing brake, using the off switch, or depressing the clutch. Also, when this occurs, the speed slowly but steadily increases. The only way to correct the problem is to turn off the ignition, or press the brake until the car stops and the engine dies. *Nm

My new husband and I had just driven over 300 miles the night before on the interstate to our honeymoon destination. The next afternoon, we were traveling on a divided four lane at approximately 50 mph when a tire blew. The tires were relatively new and had little wear. The gentleman at the tire dealership showed us where the tire had just "ruptured" on its on. The tire was made by firestone and was an affinity label. I replaced the damaged tire and the opposite tire on the front (my car is front wheel drive)....

Both power window regulators for the back windows fail to raise and lower the windows, left side in early 2004, and now the right side in late summer of 2005. I determined that the plastic mold injected slider (inside the metal track for the window) in the left rear window has broken, and I firmly believe that it is the case with the right rear window also. I am simply waiting for the front passenger window to break as it is exhibiting slowness while going up and down. *Nm

My brother was killed june 24, 2005, in a single car accident. He was driving a 1998 saturn sl on an interstate in mississippi, the saturn went out of control, his seatbelt (which he always wore) and he was ejected from the car. Since his death, I've found on nhtsa's site almost 30 different complaints from 1998 saturn sly owners describing serious failures of that cars stability, brakes, steering, and air bags---all of which resulted in the car going out of control. Fortunately, the drivers in the 30 complaints...