Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saturn SL. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes were applied to prevent from crashing into another vehicle that had disobeyed the stop sign. As a result, the vehicle slid and crashed into another vehicle and rolled into a snow embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact driver sustained head injuries and the three passengers sustained minor injuries, which required medical attention. In addition, the key could be removed from the ignition when driving. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Dt: the contact stated while pulling into a parking area the vehicle lightly hit a curb. The front air bags deployed. Vehicle was traveling under 5 MPH. The manufacturer said the air bags would deploy under any circumstances. However, the service manual said the air bags would deploy from an impact while traveling 10-15 MPH. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the reason for the air bag deployment under 5 MPH.
Our 99 Saturn sl2 sedan was involved in a 3 car accident. The Saturn was first rear ended by another vehicle first at about 45 MPH, then slammed into a car in front of our car which was stopped. The seat back broke (to the recline position). Further the air bags did not deploy. Luckily the seat belts were being worn at the time of the accident, and no injuries occurred.
I was involved in a rear end collision to my 1999 sl1 Saturn sedan that caused the rear seat to collapse so that I was prone after the accident and neither air bag deployed (driver or passenger).
I was stopped at a red light and when the light turned green I made a right turn and turned to close to the curb and bumped it and both airbags deployed. The dealer says it's not their responsibility to fix, that I should call my insurance company and make a claim. My insurance says that if I make a claim I could be canceled since I have two prior claims that have been filed. All I did was catch the curb with the side of my front tire. The dealer says it will cost $2,100.00 to repair. The car is a 1999 Saturn SL and is not worth that. Even if I could file with my insurance they would total the car because it would cost more to repair than it is worth. I bought the car 11/26/08 and have already had to put a new water pump in it and now this.
Problems with air bag light illuminating. The consumers had problems with the air bag light flashing in the dash. When taken to the service dealer they determined that the passenger frontal development loop had low resistance and the electrical circuits would have to determine the root cause as to why the light continue to flash on and off.
When the consumer applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a car head on. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer seeked medical attention the next day. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information.
While traveling at about 30 MPH consumer was rear ended, and consumer, in return, rearended car in front. Upon impact, driver's side seat fully reclined/ seatbelt popped off, and none of the airbags deployed. Please provide any further information.
1999 Saturn air bags failed to deploy upon frontal impact. The seat belt also failed to restrain the consumer. The seat belt was the subject of a recall and the car was taken to the dealer for repairs.
The safety mandated air bag label on the head rest of the child car seat was pulled off while by my 10 month old child while she was rear facing and we were driving. I noticed she was choking and looked back to see she was blue and not breathing. I was able to dislodge most of the label from her airway and she began breathing on her own. This is a significant safety issue and these seats should be recalled. Had my child passed out, I would have assumed she was sleeping and we would be burying our daughter. Dt
Airbag complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Saturn SL, 11% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saturn SL airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Saturn SL, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Saturn SL airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to air bags 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.