1996 Saturn SL vs 1997 Saturn SL
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Saturn SL | 1997 Saturn SL |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 287 | 227 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 14 | 17 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 50 | 30 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 9 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–29 | 25–28 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 95,000 mi | 88,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saturn SL | Saturn SL |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 63 | 38 |
| Electrical System | 40 | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 41 | 23 |
| Power Train | 37 | 23 |
| Air Bags | 18 | 17 |
| Seats | 15 | 17 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 25 |
| Steering | 20 | 10 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Brake problems | 13 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 8 | 6 |
| Overheating | 6 | 0 |
| Stalling | 5 | 8 |
| Oil consumption | 5 | 6 |
| Electrical failures | 0 | 7 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 5 |
1996 Saturn SL
1997 Saturn SL
Compare all Saturn SL vs Saturn SL years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.