Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car has a lot of problems. The steering system has been replaced 2 times. The climate blower motor has been replaced 2 times. It has broken down 2 times. This car is a lemon and GM will do nothing to help with any problems I have.. They just give me the run around. And my windshield wiper system has been replaced 1 time.. Which still never corrected the problem.. The speed of the wipers when on high are slower then most cars resulting in poor vision. The air bags never went off when I got in to a head on collision at 45 MPH.. This has to be the worst car out there.
Vehicles taken to dealership to have windows tinted. Consumer picks up vehicle and notice numerous bubbles on the glass. Dealership advised bubbles would go away, however bubbles got worse. Dealership replaced tint on both driver side and passenger side window.
The windshield wiper bolts loosened,causing the wipers to drop and not work properly. This resulted in poor visibility. The driver had to exit the vehicle and tighten the bolt. The dealership serviced the vehicle 3 times by replacing the bolts, but the problem still exists.
While shifting in reverse the vehicle became inoperative. Consumer applied the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to move. Consume rwas unable to turn of the windshield wiper. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, an d mechanic determined that transmission and windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced.
Over the last few years the driver side windshield wiper has come loose several times. Saturn dealer has retightened it. I have retightened it. Dealer has retightened it again. I have retightened it again. Dealer has never offered or suggested an actual repair to stop these repeated loosening of the windshield wiper.
While raining windshield wiper arms fell off, consumer was unable to see, and had to have arm out of the window to hold wiper amr on. Took to dealer, and they only tighted up the bolt. It's loose again, vehicle has been in shop over 6 times for the same problem. The dealer states that warm weather causes wipers to stick to window.
Rear windows will not go up or down. However, they fall down on low speed, slight impact, unlevel terrain (bumps). I wonder if Saturn has any idea how fun it is to stop everytime you pass a bump in the road, get out of the vehicle and manually push the windows back in place; only to have them fall again within the next hour. Don't drive your 1998 Saturn sl2 in the rain unless you wish to get wet along with everything in your rear seat. It's definately "different in a Saturn", that's why I will never purchase one again.
Both power windows in rear of car failed. Both power windows failed even though they have rarely been used. Driver side rear window drops down while driving causing distraction to driver and excessive wind and wind noise in the car. A third power window component was replaced on the front of the car while still under warranty. Suspect faulty window regulators as dealer mentioned both regulators would have to be replaced. Date is approximate for 1st window. Second window failed about 7 months later.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SL years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (15), 1995 (13), 1996 (12), 1997 (8) and 2000 (6) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Saturn SL window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for any Saturn SL model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn SL window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (19 mentions), followed by the power window devices and controls (15).
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.