NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Gasoline Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Saturn SL engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Saturn SL:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Saturn SL Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 192002

(reported on)

SL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Approximately two quarts oil consumption every 3000 miles. Problem existed in previous '92 Saturn SL1 and my current car '1997 Saturn SL2.

- Reva, VA, USA

problem #11

May 062002

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Air conditioner: Foul smell like cat pee/ammonia after using A/C. reported several times to dealer; they removed A/C parts and cleaned evaporator, etc but smell persists. Unsafe for owner's health to use A/C; odor causes headache and breathing trouble.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 091999

SL

  • miles
Engine is burning oil. Vehicle is burning more oil than required. Also consumer doesn't know where oil is going, vehicle is not leaking nor smoking. Contacted dealer, and dealer did test on engine and found nothing wrong.

- Greenville, NC, USA

problem #9

Nov 012001

SL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle is burning oil--I have the oil changed every 2,000 to 3,000 miles but I have had to add oil every week--there is no oil leak that is visible and on accassio I have had no oil but the day or so before it is reading that the oil is full.

- Cincinati, OH, USA

problem #8

Oct 202001

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Was driving approximately 50mph and was merging into traffic when transmission locked in gear and failed to change. Consumer stated prior to purchasing vehicle she complained of a clunk noise when changed gears into reverse, also the driver side brake light is inoperable, also the right side mirror needed to be replaced, engine mounts were replaced, brakes were replaced, serpentine belt was cracked, engine overheats.

- West Islip, NY, USA

problem #7

Mar 262001

SL

  • miles
Vehicle seized while driving at approximately 30 mph.

- North Bellmore, NY, USA

problem #6

Feb 121998

SL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engin burn one quart of oil every 1,000 miles

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #5

Aug 231999

SL 4-cyl

  • miles
This vehicle ([xxx])loses oil 1 quart per 700 miles! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Linthicum, MD, USA

problem #4

Mar 012000

SL

  • miles
Vehicle stalled intermittently while traveling. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

- North Lauderdal, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 271999

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Leak discovered when getting oil changed. Took it to dealer, advised not safe to drive, replaced shift gear.. 5 months later leaks again.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #2

Apr 031998

SL

  • miles
Vehicle's engine continually makes noise, louder with air conditioner running, unable to determine cause.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #1

Feb 031997

SL

  • miles
The service engine light comes on and the vehicle loses power. Have to put the gas pedal all the way to the floor in order for the vehicle to coast off the road. Consumer has contacted the dealer, and has had the problem fixed 6 times. The problem has reoccurred since having fixed.

- Pasadena, MD, USA

Not what you are looking for?