Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 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.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Saturn sl2. While driving 20 MPH around a curve, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The tie rod end was replaced approximately two years before the crash with an aftermarket part, manufactured by trw automotive (part number es3238). The contact felt that the crash was caused by the disengagement of the tie rod end. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. Updated 02-01-08 the consumer stated between the ball and socket steering ability was completely lost. Updated 02/01/08
My son was traveling south on the garden state parkway @ 65mpn. Slowed to exit at exit 105. As he entered the exit, he felt something break, lost steering, and the car shot to the right, the air bags deployed, and the right side of the car slid down the guard rail and came to a stop just before impacting a concrete jersey wall. The initial inspection of the vehicle revealed that the right side spindle had snapped. The arm on the spindle that the tie-rod attaches to snapped in half.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Saturn sl1. When making left turns at various speeds, the steering tightens. When making right turns, the steering becomes loose. The dealer performed a diagnostic and informed the contact that she should not have driven the vehicle because it was very unsafe. The gears fell apart internally. The contact attempted to locate cheaper parts when he discovered a recall related to his year, make, and model vehicle; however, the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer stated that the recall did not apply to Saturn vehicles. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 150,000.
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. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number 14V047000 (air bags, electrical system), however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.
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.
On 6/17/99 at 6;30 pm I was making a right hand turn from rte 73s to atco jughandle. Once I made the turn the steering wheel locked in place and the brakes would not work. The car shuttered and crashed into the curb. My speed was 20mph and the weather conditions were drizzling.
While driving at 20 MPH and making a right turn consumer suddenly lost control of the steering without warning and hit a curb, reason unknown. Dealer has been contacted.
Spindle broke off while switching lanes on the freeway. We spun across all lanes and crashed into middle divider wall.
Power steering pump shaft seal replaced due to a leak, the inner and outer tie rods on the right front of the vehicle separated due to wear.
Related recalls
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.
Steering complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1996 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Saturn SL, 7% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Saturn SL steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-138 (gear box (other than rack and pinion), Aug 29, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Saturn SL steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 150,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.