Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Saturn SL Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
227Complaints
3Recalls
30Crashes
9Fires
28Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (7.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 17 · 7.5% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 14 · 6.2% | No official action | — |
| Tires | 13 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 12 · 5.3% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 12 · 5.3% | No official action | — |
| Seats | 12 · 5.3% | Recalled | Recall 97V155000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 227 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 3 campaigns
Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
NHTSA campaign 97V138000 · 1997 · reported 08/29/1997
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats
NHTSA campaign 97V155000 · 1997 · reported 09/12/1997
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“ENGINE ROD BEARINGS FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL.”NHTSA complaint 865883 — filed 07/24/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW IS CAUSING THE STEEL TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE. NLM”NHTSA complaint 550874 — filed 02/10/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn SL?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 227 NHTSA complaints (7.5%), followed by air bags:frontal (14), tires (13), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Saturn SL have?
227 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Saturn SL have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E012000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Saturn SL's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
