1996 Saturn SL Engine And Engine Cooling:engine Problems
NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How engine and engine cooling:engine ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 287 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Saturn SL overview page.
What owners report
“ENGINE OIL LEAKED INTO COOLANT SYSTEM CAUSE OVERHEATING AFTER ENGINE RAN OUT OF OIL. CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD WAS THE CAUSE AFTER TALKED TO DEALER. ALSO…”NHTSA complaint 739363 — filed 01/15/2001
“THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED WHILE I WAS COMMUTING HOME FROM WORK. IT COST ME 2000.00 PLUS TO REPAIR. SATURN TOLD ME THEY WOULD COVER THE…”NHTSA complaint 736540 — filed 11/19/2000
“VEHICLE LUNGES WHEN PUT IN REVERSE AND GEARS AREN'T SHIFTING CORRECTLY, DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 555683 — filed 10/02/2000
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Saturn SL have engine and engine cooling:engine problems?
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Saturn SL: 32 of 287 complaints on file (11.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have in total?
287 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 50 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 44 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling:engine category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
