1999 Saturn SL Engine problems

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...

Tl* 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*lj *tr

I have a 1999 saturn. It keeps stalling while in motion. It will work fine for a few weeks, then all of the sudden it will "act up" and the rpms will dance around until it finally stalls. I have had this happen many times already. I believe it should be included with the timing chain inquiry, but I am not sure if it will run long enough for it to be covered. I am upset that I can't get any answers from saturn. They insist on me bringing the car in and I am quite sure that will need to "fix it" which will cost me plenty. Please make note that my vehicle is affected by this defect and I can't afford to fix it myself. *Tr

Oil keeps collecting in the water reservoir seems to have developed the problem very suddenly took it to a garage and the head mechanic said this is a common problem with saturns so I am wondering if this is something of a design flaw that needs to be addressed,and the public needs to be informed about. Wonder if there is a manufacturer fix for the problem? *Tr

Once my saturn sl as at least 2 others that I know of that own this same type of vehicle, hit 100k miles or just slightly over, the head gasket blows. I loved the car until this point and would have purchased another if this wasn't a common issue with saturns. *Tr

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle used up a large amount of radiator fluid. There were no visible leaks on the driveway, however the reservoir had to be refilled every 3 days. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where, upon inspection, there was moisture around the top of the radiator tank, and it was determined that the radiator tank had leaked from the top.

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 to 20 mph, the engine suddenly lost power. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop who determined the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted of the problem. Updated 06/15/06.

1999 Saturn sl1 44300 miles on it. 3-4 Weeks ago coolant light came on. Checked coolant level was fine but milky subs floating on top. Checked with radiator shop, suggested flush system and replace coolant. 2 Weeks later oil light came on. Checked oil, none on dip stick (3 weeks after oil change). Added oil and vehicle was driven about 15-20 miles and began to overheat. Vehicle was towed to saturn of monrovia where they found a cracked block. Dealership and saturn corp. Are not willing to cover fixing the...

I purchased my saturn sl2 4-door brand new in 1999 with only 10 miles on it. It was a perfect car until it overheated one day. I called the dealership service department and they told me to use only dex-cool in my engine. So I walked and purchased some and went on my way. Since that time my engine continuously gets overheated, I have had to replace the water pump, the radiator cap and now the dealership has told me that I have a cracked radiator head with warped gaskets which will cost too much for me due to...

Dt: the vehicle is a 1999 saturn sl. When the check engine light came on the consumers daughter took it to get the oil changed. Four days later on 6-25-05, she heard an explosion; the cap on the radiator coolant had popped off. She noticed that there was something gushing out of the vehicle, which turned out to be the coolant and oil mixed. This mixture is currently splattered on the consumers driveway. Afterwards she contacted the place were she got the oil changed and they told her to bring it in. She had...

In 2003 my daughter bought a 1999 saturn with 47000 miles that had just been turned in from a lease from a dealer and it started smoking and using a quart of oil per 1,000at which time we contacted this agency and gm because the car was alaways dealer serviced and had not yet reached it's half life. Saturn told us that this was normal howver, the condition has only worsed over time and it's now using 1.5 Qt's per 1000 miles and smoking worse. I bet the epa would like to know that. Additionally the rotor have...

At about 81200 miles, the low coolant light came on. Upon refilling the reservoir, I noticed that the coolant was discolored. I checked the oil and it was contaminated (milky colored). I took the car to my mechanic and was told the head was cracked. He also informed me that this is a chronic problem with saturn sohc engines and that I should try to get saturn to pay for the repair. After doing my own research, I found this to be true. I called saturn, at spring hill and was told that "since I hadn't taken...

While driving at highway speeds the vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and restarted the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak

Oil was leaking from the engine going under the intake manifold. Consumer contacted the manufacturer to resolve this issue. However, manufacturer was only willing to pay $200.00 Toward the cost of repairing the vehicle. Consumer was afraid that the defect may cause the vehicle to develop a blown head gasket. *Ak.....Vehicle experienced vibration in steering wheel when driving 50 mph due to defective brake rotors. Also, replaced engine head gasket. *Ak

In january, february and march of 2003 I experienced repeated stalling on the highway with my 1999 saturn. No one, including a saturn dealer, knew what was wrong. By trial and error, it seemed that if I kept the gas tank at least half full I could avoid the problem. It wasn't the best solution, but it seemed to work. But this past saturday, november 20, 2004, it stalled again on the highway. On sunday I drove it around town and it was fine. Then today it stalled again in almost exactly the same spot as two...

While driving, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the engine was cracked and needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *Jb

The cylinder head cracked by #5 cylinder by cam journal on a 1999 saturn sl-1 4 door sedan with 54,950 miles. Dealer cost was $2,100.00, Saturn covered $700.00. Dealer claimed this was an isolated incident yet had the replacement head assembly in stock. *Jb

Vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and mechanic determined that the resonator cracked, and needed to be replaced. *Ak this was the second time the resonator cracked. The consumer wanted the resonator welded but the dealer suggested a new resonator because they were redesigned and completely different from the old ones. The consumer believes that if the manufacturer realized there was a flaw with the resonators that they should have been recalled. *Nm

I have been adding coolant constantly. I took car for repair and was told the water pump needed replacement. I replaced the water pump and still having the problem with overheating. Saturn issued a bulletin 01-t-07 that talks about the sensor problem. They will only reimburse the customer if it's still under warranty. I am upset because I continue to pay for items that I probably don't need because the problem could not be found.*Ak

Saturn was leaking oil into the radiator expansion tank and water in the oil. Over heating really bad that the car will shut down and not start until cool, and it boils over in the radiator expansion tank. October '03 had head gaskets replaced, and the heads sent off for service, one month later, its back to leaking oil in the coolant and water in the oil. Oxygen sensor went out, and has been replaced and so did the ignition modular, which has been replaced. *Jb

1999 Saturn sl1 -overheating, waterpump, radiator fan motor, thermostat and coolant temp sensor all replaced with factory parts. Still overheating. This vehicle has a cracked head - same problem that was experienced on earlier models wher the warranty was extended to six years/100,000 miles. *Ak

A mixture of oil and anti-freeze were noted. I brought the vehicle to the dealer where they told me that the head was cracked due to a manufacturing defect. They replaced the head and cooling system hoses only. Now 10,000 miles later I am hearing a knocking sound from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic where he informed me that the bottom half of the engine is gone and needs to be replaced. He stated that the dealer (saturn of morristown, nj) should have replaced the entire engine instead of just the top half. *La

Air conditioning failed at 4 years, 4 months. New compressor needed, according to both saturn dealership and independent garage. Not yet replaced. Waiting to see if there is a hidden service bulletin by which saturn will replace at reduced cost.

While driving at 30 mph engine was very loud, and the check engine light came on. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, who found no oil in the engine. Three quarts were added, and the check engine light went out. Two days later, check engine light blinked, and the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle was over heating. The consumer added coolant, but driving under three miles vehicle overheated again. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who informed the consumer that oil and coolant were mixing together in the engine. A new engine was needed. *Ak

One of the engine mounts had to be replaced at 50587 miles.*Ak