1996 Saturn SL engine and engine cooling problems
63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1996 Saturn SL — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl. The vehicle was leaking oil on the ground and all over the cooling system. The temperature gauge kept fluctuating into the red zone. The check engine soon light illuminated intermittently and the vehicle began to drive differently. The dealer stated that the…”
filed Apr 14, 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl2. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated intermittently and was taken to the dealer. The dealer discovered that the spark plugs were set at different specifications, which was the cause of failure. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 175,000…”
filed Sep 10, 2007
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other SL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 SL | 16 | 12% |
| 2001 SL | 18 | 16% |
| 2000 SL | 34 | 23% |
| 1999 SL | 45 | 25% |
| 1998 SL | 28 | 17% |
| 1997 SL | 38 | 17% |
| 1995 SL | 67 | 19% |
| 1994 SL | 38 | 13% |
| 1993 SL | 30 | 17% |
| 1992 SL | 24 | 20% |
| 1991 SL | 2 | 7% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Saturn SL
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.