1996 Saturn SL engine problems

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Engine · 103,000 miles · CA

I noticed that the temperature gauge would go 3/4 towards the red. If I am stopping at a light, the temperature gauge keep going 3/4 towards the red, then goes back very slowly to the middle. I have been informed that I would need to replace my gasket. This would cost approximately $1,200.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Engine · 63,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl. The vehicle was leaking oil on the ground and all over the cooling system. The temperature gauge kept fluctuating into the red zone. The check engine soon light illuminated intermittently and the vehicle began to drive differently. The dealer stated that the cause of the failure was a cracked cylinder head. The cost to repair the vehicle was $2,257. The contact received a special policy letter from saturn in june of 1999 concerning a cracked cylinder head. The letter stated that there was no recall campaign and it was unnecessary to take the vehicle to a dealer. The current mileage was 73,000 and failure mileage was 63,000. Updated 05/06/08. *lj updated 05/06/08.

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Engine · 148,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl2. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated intermittently and was taken to the dealer. The dealer discovered that the spark plugs were set at different specifications, which was the cause of failure. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 175,000 and failure mileage was 148,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Engine · MI

I am losing a lot of oil. I spoke with my mechanic he stated that a lot of times it is the valve cover gasket, so he changed it. The car is still losing a lot of oil. About a quart every 400 miles. I started researching on my own and have found that several saturn owners are complaining about the same issue.

Filed Jan 8, 2007 · Engine, Suspension · 125,000 miles · IL

1. High revving on idle manual trans 2. Front end noise manual trans p/s similar to other recall worn out ?

Filed Jul 12, 2005 · Engine · 77,000 miles · MI

1996 saturn sl-1 cylinder head cracked. A known defect to the saturn corporation.$2400 to fix! My "check engine soon" light comes on often. Saturn finds nothing! Http://www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_5215_1.html simply "google" saturn + cylinder + head http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/saturn_engine.html

Filed Jul 7, 2005 · Engine · 11,700 miles · OR

There was a clicking sound in the engine; when I tried to press the gas it just revved the engine but had a hard time getting up to speed; I was driving home with my two daughters; going about 30 MPH and I heard a loud noise and then stuff falling under my car....the car died. I pushed the car about a block and half to my house. My children and I then went to pick up the pieces of the engine...one of the pistons had blown out of the block. There was a huge whole on the lower right of the engine. I had several mechanics come look at it and they said it was a "freak" accident. There was still oil in the engine so I had not ran it out of oil. The noise just started and immediately the engine was bad. I bought it with 113000 miles on it and had it only a 6-8 weeks when this happened. I had 117000 mile on it when it broke down.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · Engine · 143,766 miles · PA

For the 4th time, the head gasket is blown and the head is warped. This is the result of a factory design defect in the engine and was repaired the first time without charge by saturn. However, the repairs do not last and the head blows approximately every 30,000 miles. There is no engine built that should only last 30,000 miles! Saturn refuses to help with these repairs even though the car has been dutifully maintained and serviced at the saturn dealer. The estimate for repairs is $2,140 with a recommendation of new rods and bearings at this time also. We had new rings, rods and bearings in early 2002. If saturn admitted to the design defect the first time, and it continues to occur, shouldn't saturn be held responsible for the repairs?

Filed Sep 5, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 96,910 miles · CA

Purchased the saturn sl1 in sept 24 of 2004 with 94,32 0miles. I had the oil changed that very same day. I 've kept up on all fluids and service religiousily. At 96910 miles the car would not go into 1st, 3rd or reverse without force. On 9/10/03 I had the clutch replaced and the slave cable. Then is when it started having problems overheating, mechanic did two diffrent diagnostic test both came back with no conclusions. The car still heats up everyday ,but I have no other car to drive. There is no power in the car now and the oil is sludge filled. I've purchased temperature sending units, both o2 sensors, thermostat, coolant,clutch,relays,etc...to try to solve the problem of the over heating. Pretty much it's a matter of time before I'm like the other 1996 saturn drivers who will have to pay the $ 1000.00-2000.00 to fix my head gasket that was a known factory defect. What can we do.

Filed May 12, 2004 · Engine · 93,000 miles · WA

In summer of 2002, I paid over $1500 to have a head gasket repaired on my saturn. Last thursday, the car was having the same issues and it was determined that it has a cracked engine cylinder. This is an item on a tsb issued from saturn, I realized today. Now I am facing over $2000 to have the cylinder replaced, putting my total cost for repairs over $3700 on an issue that saturn has been aware of for some time, yet never notified its customers.