Most common 1996 Saturn SL problems
Share of the 287 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SL complaints by model year
Best SL years: 2001, 2002, 2000. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1996 Saturn SL recalls (1)
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. The pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or similar low speed maneuvers.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly.
What 1996 Saturn SL owners say
Engine & cooling all 64 →
I have a 1996 Saturn, sl1 with 65,000 miles on it. When I took it in for a regular oil change, I was told that there was a problem with the water cooling system. The cylinder head cracked and oil leaks into the radiator system. I called Saturn and was told that I need to talk to a local dealer. I was not even able to explain the problem, and was dismissed humiliatingly. I contacted the dealer and they told me they would contact Saturn, after which I was told that I was on my own as the purchase date was before the 6 year window they had designated (6 year/100,000 miles warranty). It has come to my attention that Saturn knew about the design fault so they went with this secret warranty. It is costing me over $1000 for a problem I did not cause! …
Purchased the Saturn sl1 in sept 24 of 2004 with 94,32 0miles. I had the oil changed that very same day. I 've kept up on all fluids and service religiousily. At 96910 miles the car would not go into 1st, 3rd or reverse without force. On 9/10/03 I had the clutch replaced and the slave cable. Then is when it started having problems overheating, mechanic did two diffrent diagnostic test both came back with no conclusions. The car still heats up everyday ,but I have no other car to drive. There is no power in the car now and the oil is sludge filled. I've purchased temperature sending units, both o2 sensors, thermostat, coolant,clutch,relays,etc...to try to solve the problem of the over heating. Pretty much it's a matter of time before I'm like the other 1996 Saturn drivers who will have to pay the $ 1000.00-2000.00 to fix my head gasket that was a known factory defect. What can we do.
Brakes all 44 →
Tl* - the contact would like to make a complaint concerning the brakes on 1996 Saturn sl2. The contact stated that she was driving 35 MPH when she was cut off by another car. She then applied the brake pedal which gave no resistance. The contact stated that before being cut off the brakes did work. The contact stated that the car finally stopped after she pumped the brakes. The contact continued to drive at approximately 5 MPH until she reached her destination and had the car towed to a Saturn dealership. The contact stated that this brake failure occurred approximately December 5, 2006. The contact stated that it was a nice day, and that the weather was not a factor. The contact pulled muscles in her body, and was currently on muscle relaxants. The contact asked the Saturn dealer for the damaged parts and was told that the parts were thrown away. …
I have a 1996 Saturn sl1. One day I went to pull up the parking brake and found that the little button had popped off and landed on the dash, the spring ended up on the floor. The button is plastic and one side that latched in to keep it in place apparently broke. To use the parking brake I would have to put the spring and button back on and engage the brake, then let it pop off again or just take it off. I haven't been able to replace it yet as I understand they don't sell just the part for the 1996 Saturn.
Electrical system all 40 →
First problem is door chimes with key out of ignition. Second problem is dome light stays on in front or rear position with all doors shut. Third problem is no power at all to the cab when I tried to start car, and then my passenger opened and shut the passenger front door and the power came back on and I was able to start the car. I had to reset the clock and radio.
I own a 1996 Saturn sl1 that I purchased used in December of 2000. I have been having problems with my horn since I bought it. I have had to have it serviced twice and the horn is broken for a third time. I replaced a fuse in spring 2001, because it went out. In December of 2002 the horn went out again, so in May of 2003 had the dealer replace the entire horn assembly. This lasted until October of 2003 when my horn started going off wildly in the middle of the night, causing the local police to respond and give me a warning for a noise violation. In the state of louisiana I am required to have an operational horn to get my vehicle inspected, which is currently costing me an $66/year in replacement. This should not be considered regular maintenance. I was looking on the internet for parts to fix my horn again, when I came across a recall NHTSA: 98v-307, GM recall: 98c301. …
1996 Saturn SL engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 36 / 29 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Saturn SL a good car?
Based on 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 SL rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the SL at the same age. It is one of the SL years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Saturn SL?
The engine & cooling — 64 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the brakes (44) and electrical system (40).
How many recalls does the 1996 Saturn SL have?
There is 1 recall for the 1996 Saturn SL, the most recent from August 29, 1997 (gear box (other than rack and pinion)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2002 and 2000. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Saturn SL years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Saturn SL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 95,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.