general problems of the 1996 Saturn SL

Two problems related to steering have been reported for the 1996 Saturn SL. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 04/21/2015

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.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 10/09/2003

Request a defect investigation for possible recall of 1990-96 Saturn Sl. The writer's son was killed in and accident in which, per witness statements, her sons vehicle veered sharply left and hit a tree head on. The consumer believes some type of defect caused her son's accident.


Other Steering related problems of the 1996 Saturn SL



Fuel Economy of SL Vehicles
SL Service Bulletins
SL Safety Recalls
SL Defect Investigations