Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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. 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
At about 81200 miles, the low coolant light came on. Upon refilling the reservoir, I noticed that the coolant was discolored. I checked the oil and it was contaminated (milky colored). I took the car to my mechanic and was told the head was cracked. He also informed me that this is a chronic problem with Saturn sohc engines and that I should try to get Saturn to pay for the repair. After doing my own research, I found this to be true. I called Saturn, at spring hill and was told that "since I hadn't taken the car back to Saturn for scheduled maintenance, I probably would have to come out of pocket, for repairs." I do all my pm's and have receipts and mileage records to prove it. I was told, when I bought this car that "that would be fine." all Saturn has done so far, is give me a case number (1-5883104). My problem is, I don't have the money to fix this problem. …
In 2003 my daughter bought a 1999 Saturn with 47000 miles that had just been turned in from a lease from a dealer and it started smoking and using a quart of oil per 1,000at which time we contacted this agency and GM because the car was alaways dealer serviced and had not yet reached it's half life. Saturn told us that this was normal howver, the condition has only worsed over time and it's now using 1.5 qt's per 1000 miles and smoking worse. I bet the epa would like to know that. Additionally the rotor have failed twice becoming warped and the motor mount has failed along with a coolent temp sensor. Many people have reported these same problems and GM knows it. …
Dt: the vehicle is a 1999 Saturn SL. When the check engine light came on the consumers daughter took it to get the oil changed. Four days later on 6-25-05, she heard an explosion; the cap on the radiator coolant had popped off. She noticed that there was something gushing out of the vehicle, which turned out to be the coolant and oil mixed. This mixture is currently splattered on the consumers driveway. Afterwards she contacted the place were she got the oil changed and they told her to bring it in. She had the vehicle towed to the them on 6-27. They told her they thought it was a cracked head gasket. Afterwards when the consumer called them she was told that there were problems with those types of vehicle. There is a recall number 0304. They do not have the option to repair vehicles just oil changes and such. …
1999 Saturn sl1 44300 miles on it. 3-4 weeks ago coolant light came on. Checked coolant level was fine but milky subs floating on top. Checked with radiator shop, suggested flush system and replace coolant. 2 weeks later oil light came on. Checked oil, none on dip stick (3 weeks after oil change). Added oil and vehicle was driven about 15-20 miles and began to overheat. Vehicle was towed to Saturn of monrovia where they found a cracked block. Dealership and Saturn corp. Are not willing to cover fixing the problem even though they know there are still problems with these engines. Earlier models had warranties extended to 6 year/100,000 miles. Saturn corp. Stated that vehicle was past that warranty and I am out of luck. I think that Saturn should fix the problem at their expense as they know of the defects but continue to do nothing about it. …
After both my children at different times told me that I had an exhaust leak because I am experiencing incresased exhaust noise (I had it checked), I ran across an article in "highways" magazine (good sam club) that stated there was a recall for the 2000-2003 Saturn l-series. I own a 1999 Saturn l-series and it is showing all the signs of the same problem described in the recall NHTSA campaign id number 03V231000. The car has been sluggish and very hard to start along with the increased exhaust noise. This model/year Saturn should be included in the recall...there is a problem with it also! When I took the car to the service dealer in March, 2001, they said it was the battery and they installed a new one but it did not improve the performance of the car. It continues to be a problem and it is getting worse.
I purchased my Saturn sl2 4-door brand new in 1999 with only 10 miles on it. It was a perfect car until it overheated one day. I called the dealership service department and they told me to use only dex-cool in my engine. So I walked and purchased some and went on my way. Since that time my engine continuously gets overheated, I have had to replace the water pump, the radiator cap and now the dealership has told me that I have a cracked radiator head with warped gaskets which will cost too much for me due to my being on disability. My car only has 94,000 miles on it and I have it serviced regularly. I feel that dex-cool or the dealership should be held responsible in fixing my vehicle to no fault of my own.
While driving at 30 MPH engine was very loud, and the check engine light came on. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, who found no oil in the engine. Three quarts were added, and the check engine light went out. Two days later, check engine light blinked, and the temperature gauge was indicating that the vehicle was over heating. The consumer added coolant, but driving under three miles vehicle overheated again. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, who informed the consumer that oil and coolant were mixing together in the engine. A new engine was needed.
A mixture of oil and anti-freeze were noted. I brought the vehicle to the dealer where they told me that the head was cracked due to a manufacturing defect. They replaced the head and cooling system hoses only. Now 10,000 miles later I am hearing a knocking sound from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic where he informed me that the bottom half of the engine is gone and needs to be replaced. He stated that the dealer (Saturn of morristown, nj) should have replaced the entire engine instead of just the top half.
Engine complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Saturn SL, 26% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is engine (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saturn SL engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.