Saturn SL Steering problems by year

This vehicle is a death trap the vehicle shuts off while driving, can not start, whole steering column is loose, key comes out during driving. ...Updated 09/22/15 *bf

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. The contact sustained muscular pain that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was made aware of nhtsa campaign number: 97v138000 (steering); however, the vin was not included. The failure mileage was 166,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. While coming out of a left turn at an unknown speed, the power steering failed. The steering wheel seized and excessive force was required to steer the vehicle. The failure caused the contact to drive into a ditch, over a levee, and crash into a pipe. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the contact noticed the ignition key was on the floor. The air bags deployed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

Spouse and I use car. The very first time the occurrence happened, was when parking car into driveway, I went to turn off car ignition and accidentally hit key ring, and the key fell out of the ignition, with the car in park, yet still running. On numerous occasions, while driving the car, the car is still running and the key easily slips out of the ignition. Also, on more than one occasion, when trying to unlock the steering wheel, the key will not turn while in the steering ignition. We would have to move the...

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn sl. The contact stated that while traveling at unknown speeds, the key could be removed and the vehicle would continue to operate as normal. In addition, the contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire ignition system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.

The lock on the steering column is too loose to be turned effectively only someone who has driven the car for a while knows how to get the key to turn so that the car can be started. *Tr

Had a few months, hot summer and key would not turn in ignition. Manual that came with car said this could happen and if it did to turn the wheel, jiggle the shift, etc. Would not have this trouble except in hot weather. On oct 29, 2010 I had lock cylinder & keys replaced at my expense by an authorized gm dealership. Now it is doing it again (6/26/2014) with only 44,000 actual miles on it. Only authorized dealership has ever worked on this vehicle. This has happened to my daughter who has a newer saturn and to a saturn of my granddaughters. I hate to have to spend another $310 at my expense to fix this known defect. *Tr

Ignition switch fails causes steering wheel to lock and or unable to turn on car. *Tr

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. The contact also stated that the engine would not shut off when the key was in the ignition. The failure was recurring over a two year period. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system), however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

After a pop noise during negotiating a curve the steering wheel suddenly appeared tilted even while going straight while driving. Car was steered with increased loss of control for a few seconds and moved to curb. Steering was unusable thereafter and car was towed for repairs. *Tr

Saturn 2001 ion ignition - car won't start because key won't turn this is a known problem with saturns and is a bad safety issue. People are stranded with vehicles that won't start or sometimes even turn off. This is awful, and saturn knows about it, and gm is asking for a bailout? This should be a recall. If government won't force a recall on known issues, the company winds up going extinct due to poor quality issues. Recall this! *Tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl1. When making left turns at various speeds, the steering tightens. When making right turns, the steering becomes loose. The dealer performed a diagnostic and informed the contact that she should not have driven the vehicle because it was very unsafe. The gears fell apart internally. The contact attempted to locate cheaper parts when he discovered a recall related to his year, make, and model vehicle; however, the dealer stated that the vin was not included in the recall. The manufacturer stated that the recall did not apply to saturn vehicles. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 saturn sl1. While making a sharp u-turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel column made a loud noise and began wobbling excessively. Approximately ten minutes later, the steering column failed completely and caused the vehicle to become fixated. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 97v138000 (steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)). The manufacturer was notified as well. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure...

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl2. While driving 20 mph around a curve, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The tie rod end was replaced approximately two years before the crash with an aftermarket part, manufactured by trw automotive (part number es3238). The contact felt that the crash was caused by the disengagement of the tie rod end. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. Updated 02-01-08 *bf the consumer stated between the ball and socket steering ability was completely lost. Updated 02/01/08 *tr

Rack and pinion system.. It has been replaced twice and now needs to be replaced again.. Saturn told me since my car is out of warrenty that it's going to cost me 999.99 Dollars to fix it a lot of other things have been replaced more then once.. *Jb