Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I just received a 1999 Saturn SL 2 series a year ago from my mother for my very first car. I got it at about 100,000 miles and it is now currently at 122,446. I noticed about a month ago while I would be driving, usually after about 1-2 miles after starting up the car and driving, my gears began to slip. I kept up with just about monthly oil changes, accompanied by transmission fluid checked and topped off. My transmission oil has never been low. Then, about 4 days ago I went to leave from my work orientation, and I couldn?t back up my car from my parking spot, the reverse had went out. So I put the car back in drive, then back to reverse thinking maybe it didn?t go into reverse all the way and it did not work. I revved up the engine, nothing happening until I did it pretty hard, and eventually it started rolling back a little. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saturn SL. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning and restarted after ten minutes. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the ignition failed to release the key. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 11/23/15
I have a 1999 Saturn SL that I bought off a Saturn employee two months ago; it was making a whining sound but she said that the sound was because it had a non standard part on it. The ignition locked up once or twice and now it will not crank nor start. I have checked the ignition switch, the starter-solenoid and all wires and cables. I have also called Saturn and was told that they had no idea what it could be and that there weren't any recalls on any of the parts above nor any that could possibly cause the car not to crank or start. They suggested that I bring it in.
Saturn was leaking oil into the radiator expansion tank and water in the oil. Over heating really bad that the car will shut down and not start until cool, and it boils over in the radiator expansion tank. October '03 had head gaskets replaced, and the heads sent off for service, one month later, its back to leaking oil in the coolant and water in the oil. Oxygen sensor went out, and has been replaced and so did the ignition modular, which has been replaced.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Saturn sl1. The contact stated that the horn assembly on the vehicle was completely inoperative. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 98V307000 (communications:horn assembly), although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saturn SL. The contact stated that the lost power and vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness lost connection with the instrument panel box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000.
The ignition cylinder in the steering column jammed for no apparent reason. It required the car to be towed to the dealership; the entire ignition cylinder/lock assembly had to be replaced. The mileage on the car was only 47,616 miles.
02 sensor failure, water pump, fuel pump, serpentine belt, fuse block - all parts defects within short span of time after their 36K warranty expired- atypical problems for car with this type of mileage. Manufacturer contacted and would not reveal parts manfucturer - "not legally obligated to tell the public." as this car was no longer under warranty, I was informed that Saturn would not reimburse for defective parts but would document that I was unhappy with my Saturn experience. Saturn not concerned about safety factors involved with repetitive parts failures. Offerred free oil change. Did not offer to have car brought in for inspection or extending some kind of warranty in order to study any problems for corrective action with this particular car or model.
Consumer was driving aproximately 35mph when the electrical system faliled, and the engine shut down. Second time, while driving, electrical system failed again, and engine shut down. Dealer could not find a problem, the third time this scenario happened the dealership towed vehicle ,and the diagnostics showed vehicle shutting down. But dealer could not duplicate the problem. David- mechanic at Saturn of erving texas--[phone].
Electrical complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1999 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Saturn SL, 11% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saturn SL electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 118,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.