1996 Saturn SL steering problems
20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the steering on the 1996 Saturn SL — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* 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…”
filed May 4, 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl. The contact stated that the ignition key was very difficult to turn when the contact attempted to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the engine would not shut off when the key was in the ignition. The failure was recurring over a two year period…”
filed May 14, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Steering problems in other SL years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 SL | 8 | 6% |
| 2001 SL | 3 | 3% |
| 2000 SL | 10 | 7% |
| 1999 SL | 7 | 4% |
| 1998 SL | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 SL | 10 | 4% |
| 1995 SL | 37 | 10% |
| 1994 SL | 11 | 4% |
| 1993 SL | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 SL | 5 | 4% |
| 1991 SL | 1 | 3% |
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.