1998 Saturn SL

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

COOLANT AROUND THE SPARK PLUG NEAREST THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OIL IS VISIBLE IN COOLANT TANK. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED A CRACKED HEAD DUE TO FACTORY DEFECT IN HEAD CASTING. GM DID NOT ISSUE A RECALL! *TR

I WAS DRIVING A PERSON RAN A STOP SIGN AND I HIT THE VEHICLE HEAD ON THE AIRBAG BLEW UP IN MY FACE SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB I HAD BURNS ON MY FACE HEAD HANDS AND FORE ARMS MY RIBS WERE BRUISED AND SOME CONTUSIONS IN BACK AND KNEES. *TR

WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH BETWEEN THE RUN AND OFF POSITIONS. WHEN STUCK THE KEY CANNOT BE TURNED OR REMOVED. THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED NOR CAN THE KEY BE REMOVED. *TR

VEHICLE STALLED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, SO THE MECHANIC COULD NOT CHECK CODES. *TR

EXITING FREEWAY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CRASHED VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL, EQUIPPED WITH SUMMIT SIENPRE 6 TIRES, SIZE 185/65/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES HAD DEVELOPED LARGE BUBBLES IN THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE TIRE WERE APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE 1998 SATURN SL1, WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION "TWO CARS BEHIND THE LEAD CAR ABOUT TO GO THROUGH INTERSECTION" THE DRIVER IN THE ON-COMING LANE DECIDE LAST MINUTE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF THE LEAD CAR IN ARE LANE. WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF ACCIDENTS. WHILE THE 1998 SATURN SL WAS INDEED THE LAST CAR TO HIT THE "PILE UP" UPON IMPACT I EXHALED AND TRIED TO RELAX MY BODY FOR IMPACT "LIKE I OBSERVED ON DISCOVERY'S MYTH BUSTERS" AFTER IMPACT AS I WAS ASKING MY FRIEND "DRIVER" IF SHE WAS OK. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED LATE! ... IF THIS WILL HAPPEN TO ME A 300PD GROWN MAN ID HATE TO SEE THE OUT COME IF A PERSON NOT OF MY MASS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. I FEEL AS IF THEY WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD... LIFE THREATENING INJURY'S WOULD OF MOST CERTAINLY OCCURRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2 SEDAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09E012000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

MY FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE TIRE FOR A 1998 SATURN SL2, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN USED, SHOWS TREAD SEPARATION. THE RUBBER IS SPLITTING APART IN THE TREAD AREA AND THE BELTS ARE SHOWING THROUGH. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO A PREVIOUS FIRESTONE COMPACT SPARE I OWNED FOR A SATURN. THE TIRE IS SIZE T115/70R14 AND THE SERIAL NUMBER IS HYM7H5A377. THE TIRE IS ADMITTEDLY OLD, BUT THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE IS ALARMING CONSIDERING THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN USED. IT HAS BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A NEW REPLACEMENT- TIRE DEALERS SAY TO GET A REPLACEMENT FROM A JUNK YARD, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A FULL SIZE SPARE WILL NOT FIT IN THE TRUNK'S TIRE WELL. *TR

MY 1998 SATURN SL2 HAS HAD A (HOT ENGINE) FAST IDLE (2000 RPM) CONDITION ON AND OFF FOR YEARS.. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SATURN DEALER,, THEN TO A GM DEALER THREE TIMES ALL TO NO AVAIL.. VARIOUS SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE CONDITION PERSISTS.. I HAVE SPENT NEAR $1000. IN LABOR COSTS, SENSORS ECT AND STILL I HAVE THE PROBLEM.. *TR

I PARKED MY CAR, A 5-SPEED MANUAL, AND THE PARKING BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON POPPED OUT, AND IS NOW BROKEN SO I CANNOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE AT ALL. NOT SAFE CONSIDERING MY CAR IS A MANUAL. I AM ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT BUTTON, BUT HAVE NOT HAD MUCH LUCK SO FAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL1. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES, SIZE P185/70/R14. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. WITHIN ONE YEAR, SIX IDENTICAL TIRES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE TIRES TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE FIRST SET REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE TIRES FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST AND THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 10,000. UPDATED 03/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB

WHEN PRESSING BRAKE AND COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR ACCELERATES AND PUSHES FORWARD. YOU ARE FORCED TO BRAKE HARDER AND DIFFICULT TO STOP. *TR

I HAVE NOTED THE DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITY OF RADIO FREQUENCIES (IN THE 120-140MHZ RANGE) AND THE ARE PULSING AND VARIABLE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER'S BODY. I AM CONCERNED WITH HEALTH EFFECTS ON CONTINUED EXPOSURES. *TR

1998 SATURN SL2 MUFFLER BROKE OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0070-91. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS TRAVELED LONG DISTANCES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 181,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COOLANT LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE COOLANT WAS CHECKED, THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS LOW AND THICKENED. ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, COOLANT HAD BEEN FOUND MIXED INTO THE OIL DUE TO THE GASKET BREAKING DOWN FROM CONTACT WITH THE COOLANT. THE OIL MIXED WITH THE COOLANT CAUSED SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE SERVICE DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED FLUSHING THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

DURING A REAR END COLLISION THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED TO FULL RECLINE POSITION. LEAVING ME WHICH MORE SEVERE INJURIES THAN I SHOULD HAVE SUSTAINED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END IMPACTED THE REAR OF ANOTHER WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH ON A DRY BLACKTOP SURFACE. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. ONE INJURY WAS SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

GAS LEAKING. RUNNING LOW ON GAS AFTER FILL UP. HAD CAR LOOKED AT AND THERE ARE HOLES IN THE GAS LINE, RUNNING FROM THE ENGINE TO GAS TANK. FUEL LINE IS APPARENTLY IS PLASTIC AND IS DETERIORATING. *JB

CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE BY DEPRESSING BRAKE, USING THE OFF SWITCH, OR DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH. ALSO, WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE SPEED SLOWLY BUT STEADILY INCREASES. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, OR PRESS THE BRAKE UNTIL THE CAR STOPS AND THE ENGINE DIES. *NM

MY NEW HUSBAND AND I HAD JUST DRIVEN OVER 300 MILES THE NIGHT BEFORE ON THE INTERSTATE TO OUR HONEYMOON DESTINATION. THE NEXT AFTERNOON, WE WERE TRAVELING ON A DIVIDED FOUR LANE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN A TIRE BLEW. THE TIRES WERE RELATIVELY NEW AND HAD LITTLE WEAR. THE GENTLEMAN AT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP SHOWED US WHERE THE TIRE HAD JUST "RUPTURED" ON ITS ON. THE TIRE WAS MADE BY FIRESTONE AND WAS AN AFFINITY LABEL. I REPLACED THE DAMAGED TIRE AND THE OPPOSITE TIRE ON THE FRONT (MY CAR IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE). THE REMAINING TWO TIRES ON THE REAR LOOK JUST LIKE THE FRONT TIRES DID, AND THE SALESMAN RECOMMENDED WE HAVE THEM CHECKED AS WELL AND ALSO RECOMMENDED THEY BE REPLACED ASAP. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME TIRE (AFTER I MADE MY PURCHASE) AND WAS WORRIED. I FEEL THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FIRESTONE ASAP BECAUSE THEY ARE UNSAFE. *JB

MY BROTHER WAS KILLED JUNE 24, 2005, IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. HE WAS DRIVING A 1998 SATURN SL ON AN INTERSTATE IN MISSISSIPPI, THE SATURN WENT OUT OF CONTROL, HIS SEATBELT (WHICH HE ALWAYS WORE) AND HE WAS EJECTED FROM THE CAR. SINCE HIS DEATH, I'VE FOUND ON NHTSA'S SITE ALMOST 30 DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS FROM 1998 SATURN SLY OWNERS DESCRIBING SERIOUS FAILURES OF THAT CARS STABILITY, BRAKES, STEERING, AND AIR BAGS---ALL OF WHICH RESULTED IN THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THE DRIVERS IN THE 30 COMPLAINTS I'VE FOUND ALL STATED THAT THE INJURIES WERE NOT FATAL. MY BROTHER AND OUR FAMILY ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE. THE 1998 SATURN SL'S FAILURES KILLED MY BROTHER. ALL OF THESE FAILURES WERE REPORTED TO NHTSA YEARS AGO, SO HIS DEATH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. NHTSA AND THE SATURN COMPANY OWE ME AND MY FAMILY SOME ANSWERS. AND NHTSA AND SATURN MUST ACT NOW BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED BY THIS FATAL CAR.*JB

FREQUENTLY WHEN THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE BUCKLED THEY APPEAR TO BE SECURED, BUT ARE NOT AND COME UNDONE. THIS IS THE ONLU CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN THAT YOU ARE NOT LOCKED INTO YOUR SEAT BELT WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE.*AK

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED MY CAR. I WAS ONLY TRAVELING 15-20 MPH WHEN I HIT A CAR WITH NO LIGHTS ON. I HAD TWO PASSENGERS IN MY CAR. ALL OF US SUSTAINED INJURY BECAUSE THE SEATBELTS DID NOT LOCK UP AND HOLD US. MY BACK SET PASSENGER WAS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND SHE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH FACIAL INJURIES THAT LEFT A GASH UNDER HER LEFT EYE AND RUN BURN ALL OVER HER FACE. MY FRONT PASSENGER WENT FLYING INTO THE FROM WIDSHIELD AND HIS HEAD HIT AT THE TOP RIGHT CORNER. THE BELT RESTRAINED HIM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS IT STAYED CONNECTED TO THE CAR BUT MY FRONT PASSENGER ONLY STOPED AS SOON AS THE SEATBELT EXTENDED AS FAR AS IT COULD. I WAS DRIVING AND WAS PUSED DOWN INTO THE AIRBAG BY MY PASSENGER SITTING BEHIND ME. I SUSTANINED A SMALL FRACURE THAT LOOSENED MY TWO FRONT TEETH. MY BACK PASSENGER IS THE ONLY ONE TO SUSTAIN DAMAGE FROM THE ACTUAL SEATBELT AND IT WAS AROUUND HER STOMACH, WHICH SEE WAS 7 MONTHES PREGNAT AT THE TIME. THE BABY IS OK AND SHE WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT MORNING. *JB

WHILE PARKING MY 1898 SATURN SL IN A HOSPITAL GARAGE, THE SHIFT LEVER WENT LIMP WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WAY TO OPERATE THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I REMOVED THE CONSOLE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT CONNECTS THE MANUAL SHIFT LEVER TO THE SHIFT CABLE WAS MISSING. THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SHIFT LEVER AND THE CABLE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ENTIRE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SATURN TOLD ME THAT THE BUSHING IS MADE ONTO THE CABLE RATHER THAN BEING AVAILABLE AS A SEPARATE PART. IF THIS BUSHING HAD FAILED IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE BUSHING SHOULD BE DESIGNED SUCH THAT IF IT BRAKES; THE SHIFT LEVER WILL REMAIN CONNECTED TO THE SHIFT CABLE AND JUST CAUSE SLOPPY SHIFTING THEREBY WARNING THE DRIVER THAT REPAIR IS REQUIRED. I STILL HAVE THE OLD SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY. *JB

1998 SATURN SL SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD UNLATCH WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. *JB

CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD ON 1998 SL1 SATURN WITH 70,000 MILES. CAR WAS LOOSING COOLANT. COST $2,000 IN LABOR TO REPAIR, PROBLEM SEEMS TO APPEAR WITH OTHER CONSUMERS COMPLAINING AS WELL. MANUFACTURER SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A DEFECT AND REIMBURSE FOR COST OF REAPIR.*AK

MY 23 YR OLD SON WAS TRAVELING FROM VENTURA, CA AT 75 MPH ON FWY 99 N BOUND IN THE MIDDLE LANE (OF 3) AT ABOUT 1 A.M. IN FRESNO, CA. JUST BEFORE ARRIVING AT HIS EXIT TO HWY 41 N, THE REAR END BEGAN TO SKID TO THE LEFT. DRIVER STEERED INTO THE SKID TO CORRECT WHILE STEPPING ON THE BRAKES TO REDUCE SPEED. SUDDENLY THE REAR END OF THE CAR WAS HURLED INTO THE AIR CAUSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO GO AIRBORNE, CLEARING THE THIRD LANE (FAR RIGHT LANE) AND LANDING ON TOP OF ASPHALT BERM AND SOFT, SANDY EMBANKMENT RESULTING IN THE CAR ROLLING AND GOING AIRBORNE, BOUNCING OFF THE REAR END OF THE CAR AND GOING AIRBORNE YET A THIRD TIME LANDING UPSIDE DOWN ON THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WITH THE NOSE OF THE CAR EXTENDING INTO THE THIRD LANE. DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BUT CHP OFFICERS WERE ASTONISHED IT WAS NOT A FATALITY. CAR WAS TOTALED. TALKS WITH SATURN HEADQUARTERS HAS ONLY RESULTED IN DENIAL THAT THE SPINDLE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THEY INSIST A TIRE BLOWOUT WAS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE. PERSONAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS NO BLOWOUT. EVIDENCE POINTS TOWARD THE SPINDLE BREAKING ALLOWING THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO FOLD DOWN UNDER THE CAR CAUSING IT TO SKID TO THE LEFT. THE APPLICATION OF BRAKES BROUGHT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO CATCH THE FRAME ASSEMBLY AND PITCH THE CAR INTO THE AIR WHILE TEARING OUT THE ENTIRE REAR WHEEL WELL ASSEMBLY. PARTS OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WERE FOUND 40 FEET BEFORE THE IMPACT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (W

VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. TAKEN TO MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE WAS 5 QUARTS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID AND VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STOPPED RUNNING IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF AT THAT TIME. ALTHOUGH VEHICLE ONLY HAD 35000 MILES ON IT TRANSMISSION, WHICH HAD DEFECT, HAD TO BE REBUILT FOR $2400+.*AK

MY WIFE'S '98 SATURN SL1 HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT A WEEK AGO, SHE WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR. AFTER TAKING THE CENTER CONSOLE OUT, I NOTICED THAT A RUBBER GROMMET THAT ATTACHED THE SHIFT ROD TO THE SHIFT CABLES HAD ROTTED AND BROKEN IN HALF. NORMALLY, THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EASY TO REPLACE. A NEW GROMMET COULD VERY EASILY BE POPPED IN WITH AROUND 1/2 HOUR OF WORK. WHEN I APPROACHED THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERS, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE .50 CENT GROMMET AVAILABLE, AND THAT THE ENTIRE SHIFTER CABLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED (THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CABLES THEMSELVES). THE PERSON WORKING THERE SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CABLES VERY OFTEN. TOTAL COST FOR THE CABLES AND LABOR IS AROUND $600. THEY DO NOT SELL THE GROMMET SEPERATELY. GETTING SUSPICIOUS, I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. I FOUND MANY SITES WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM (SEE HTTP://WWW.CHAOSMAGNET.COM/BLOG/ARCHIVES/000112.HTML, HTTP://WWW.AUTOGUIDE.NET/CGI-SEC/AUTOPARTS/MESSAGES/MSG.CGI?1589.SHTML, FOR EXAMPLE). ALL COULD EASILY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM BY GETTING A NEW RUBBER GROMMET. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SATURN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT. SPENDING $600 FOR A $5 REPAIR IS REDICULOUS AND WRONG. ALSO, MY WIFE'S CAR IS COMPLETELY OUT OF COMISSION UNTIL THIS CAN BE REPLACED. MANY REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS I HAVE READ HAVE STATED THAT TO GET AROUND SPENDING $600, THEY ARE USING SELF MADE FIXES. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGE

THE CAR WAS PARKED AT HOME SATURDAY NIGHT, WENT TO DRIVE IT SUNDAY AND IT MADE A STRANGE NOISE. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHO SENT IT TO SATURN WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A BLOWN MOTOR (THE CAR ONLY HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT,AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY). *LA

1998 SATURN 41,635 MILES- BAKES PULSE AND SHAKEY STEERING- MACHINE ROTORS NEW PADS 48,343 MILES-SHAKEY STEERING-BALANCE WHEELS REPLACE SUSPECTED BAD TIRE. 64,057 MILES-SHAKEY STEERING-MACHINE ROTORS, PADS OKAY FOR NOW.*MR THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE BRAKES AND OR THE ROTORS. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD ROTOR PROBLEMS. WHILE AT THE REPAIR SHOP I OVERHEARD TWO PHONE CALLS FROM CUSTOMERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.

WHILE ACCELERATING TO 40 MPH CONSUMER SHIFTED FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR AND FLOOR SHIFTER FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING/PARKING SEAT BELT LATCH UNLOCKED FROM THE BELT BUCKLE. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR SEAT BELT CORRECTLY. *AK LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE WERE REPLACED ON CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. DEALER WASN'T ABLE TO EXPLAIN THE MAIN CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *LA

SHIFTER ARM CLUTCH LINKAGE BUSHING BROKE WHILE SHIFTING GEAR. *JB

MANUAL TRANSMISSION LINKAGE BROKE. THE PLASTIC THAT LOCKS THE BALL OF THE LINKAGE TO THE SOCKET OF THE SHIFTER CRACKED, AND BECAME SEPERATED WHILE IN OPERATION.*AK

EMERGENCEY BRAKE NON-FUNCTIONAL AFTER 1/8 INCH DAIMETER PLASTIC BUTTON RETAINER BROKE. TS ASSEMBLED SUCH THAT IF IT FAILS IT IS DISENGAUGED, RESULTING IN A CAR THAT CAN ROLL DOWN INCLINES.*AK

SATURN SL2 1998 - CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. *AK

INVOLVED IN TWO COLLISIONS WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND NONE OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. *LA *MR

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. *AK

1998 SATURN WITH 49,000 MILES NEEDED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT. THE VALVE BODIES ARE KEPT IN STOCK AT SATURN OF ROUTE 23 BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN. THE CAR HAD BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED, TRANS SERVICE AT 25,500 MILES. SATURN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THE COST OF REPAIRS. I'VE NOTED THAT SATURN IS ON SEVERAL WEBB SITES WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES DOCUMENTED.

BEFORE BUYING SATURN SL THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE A MOTOR MOUNT AND PROMISED ME A GOOD RUNNING CAR. SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE "USED" IN MARCH OF 2003 I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASSIONS FOR A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND A LOUD EARING RINGING HUMMING IN THE CAR ITSELF THAT WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF TO SHAKE. ALL BUT ONE OF THE TIMES THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A 4 CYLINDER AND THAT IS HOW THEY SOUND. YHEY WOULD THEN RESET THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND SEND ME ON MY WAY. THE NOISE GOT GRADUALLY WORSE TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE PHYSICALLY TO DRIVE IT. I RECENTLY REQUESTED ANOTHER LOOK AT THE VEHICLE, THEY DID IN FACT FINALLY SAY " YA THAT'S BAD" AND QUESTIONED WHY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON BUT AGAIN REPLACED THE SAME DEFECTED MOTOR MOUNT AGAIN. NOW I HAVE IT BACK AND THERE IS STILL A NOISE IN THE ENGINE THAT IS NOT RIGHT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM.THE VIBRATION ISN'T AS TERRIBLE AS IT WAS BUT MY FEAR IS THAT THEY NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM THAT CASUED THE VIBRATION JUST A SYMPTOM AND THEREFORE LIKE WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT IT WILL COME BACK. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

ACCESSORIES: VOLUME KNOB FELL OFF...NOT REPLACED YET. OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHT FELL OFF ROOF...REPAIRED IN AUGUST. OTHER:SINCE AROUND 40,000 MILES THIS CAR HAS HAD A SEVERE VIBRATION, WETHER FROM MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION, OR ??? IS NOT KNOWN. VIBRATION IS SO BAD THAT YOU CANNOT SEE CLEARLY OUT OF REARVIEW MIRROR WHEN IN PARK, OR IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. IF YOU ARE SITTING IN CAR WHILE IN PARK, VIBRATION CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE A NUMB FEELING IN YOUR BUTT (I AM SERIOUS...THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!) OTHER TIMES IT IS A FIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR TO A STOP IF IN DRIVE BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND A "LEAPING" FEELING. DASH PANEL VIBRATES TERRIBLY LOUD, AND IS VERY DISTRACTING FROM THIS PROBLEM TOO.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED . CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, AND WAS NOT SURE IF THERE WERE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED UPON STARTING VEHICLE PARK PAW WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THIS HAPPENED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. CONSUMER HAD TO ROCK THE VEHICLE, RESTART, PUMP THE BRAKES AND GIGGLE THE LEVER BEFORE IT WOULD RELEASE. WHEN CHANGING GEAR A SCRAPPING SOUND WAS HEARD AND SATURN STATED IT WOULD GET WORSE. AFTER FOUR TIMES, CONSUMER HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $#144.09. CONSUMER NOTED SATURN WOULD NOT WORK ON HIS VEHICLE MAYBE BECAUSE HE FILLED A COMPLAINT FOR SHABBY WORK. *PH

PROBLEMS WITH GEAR SHIFT ON 1998 SATURN SL1. *MR THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK AND THE BCSI SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. *SCC *JB

FOR THE PAST 2-3 YEARS I HAVE HAD A MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM WITH MY SATURN SL2 '98. I BROUGHT IT TO TWO SATURN DEALERSHIPS WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD NO LEAK NOR WAS MY CAR BURNING OIL, IN ESSENCE THAT I WAS IMAGINING THIS PROBLEM. IN JULY OF 2003, THE PROBLEM HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT I WAS ADDING OIL EVERY 100 MILES, THEN THE CAR BROKE DOWN AND I BROUGHT IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIMING BELT/GASKET AND I REPLACED THEM ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION THAT IT WOULD FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS - COST $1000. THE CAR CONTINUES TO CONSUME MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND REGULARLY EXHIBITS A BURNING SMELL. I BROUGHT IT TO A SATURN DEALER LAST WEEK WHO NOW TELLS ME THAT THE CAM COVER IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, HE TOLD ME THAT I PROBABLY INDEED HAVE SIGNIFICANT ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF MY MANY OIL PROBLEMS THAT THIS REPAIR WILL NOT FIX. I HAVE WORKED MY WAY UP THE SATURN CORPORATE COMPLAINT SYSTEM AND I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO EITHER PAY FOR THE REPAIR, REIMBURSE ME FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIR OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNDERLYING ENGINE PROBLEM. ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A JUST ME GETTING A "LEMON" BUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM MY CONCERN IS MUCH MUCH GREATER. SPECIFICALLY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS (WELL OVER 100) COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS INTERNET CITES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM - EVERYONE HAS MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND MANY PEOPLE'S ENGINES HAVE ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF LOW OIL. THEY HAVE ALSO TRIED TO GET SATURN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT SENOR AND COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, HOWEVER THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. *AK THE POWER STEERING AND IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE GEAR DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, MAINLY IN FIRST GEAR. *JB

I PURCHASED A 1998 SATURN SL2 IN APRIL OF 2002 AND DISCOVERED AFTER PURCHASE THAT IT HAD A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO UNABLE TO FIND THE EXACT PART NUMBER AND WANTED TO MAKE THE REPAIR FROM A SIMILAR BUT NOT IDENTICAL 1996 MODEL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT SATURN DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEFECTIVE SAFETY ITEMS SUCH AS THE RETRACTOR BECAUSE SO MANY OF THEIR VEHICLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY RECALLED.