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
1999 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.
178Complaints
2Recalls
26Crashes
1Fires
20Injured
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 (9.6% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 17 · 9.6% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 12 · 6.7% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 9 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 9 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 · 5.1% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 8 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
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 178 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 — 2 campaigns
Seat Belts:front:anchorage
NHTSA campaign 99V280000 · 1999 · reported 10/20/1999
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED. 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
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10064044 — filed 03/28/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10054721 — filed 01/23/2004 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10049961 — filed 12/03/2003 · 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 1999 Saturn SL?
Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 17 of 178 NHTSA complaints (9.6%), followed by air bags:frontal (12), power train:automatic transmission (9), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1999 Saturn SL have?
178 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 26 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1999 Saturn SL have any recalls?
Yes — 2 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 1999 Saturn SL's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are 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.
