Dt: the contact stated while driving vehicle stalled intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. They found that it was the cam shaft sensor that was defective. No repairs were made.
1997 Saturn SL: engine stalls while driving
6 of the 226 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
Every few months since I've had my car, for no apparent reason, it will start, but will idle low. If I try to put it in gear, it will stall. If I try to restart it and give it gas it will imediately cut off. I've had it to the dealership and to a private mechanic numerous times and no one can duplicate the problem. I've had the fuel pump, fuel filter, oxygen sensor (twice), wires, spark plugs, etc. Replaced costing thousands of dollars. One mechanic told me that it was "the way I was driving the car!" the most recent time I had my 2 month old in the car and it stalled when I was in the intersection, to make it through I had to accelerate almost resulting in an accident. There is no pattern to the problem like the weather, so it is hard to pinpoint.
Randomly, usually about every few months, I will start my car. It will start, but it starts "funny." it doesn't hit the usual high rpms and will idle low. If I attempt to drive the car, it will usually run with low rpms. When the car comes to a stop, it will idle low and sometimes stall. The problem occurs in all weather conditions and temperatures. It also occurs when the engine is hot or cold. Sometimes it takes 5-10 tries to start the car at all. Of course, mechanics are unable to reproduce the problem and say nothing is wrong with the car. I have had the car checked by saturn of gaithersburg, saturn of silver spring, and graeves auto in olney.
The vehicle stalled without warning.
Vehicle stalled intermittently while traveling. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
First incident was at 3600 miles on the car. On interstate travelling at 55+ car loses power will not accelerate. Must pull off road where car stalls out. No idiot lights and at dealer no computer codes. Car returned to me dealer unable to duplicate.I get 15 miles car again has problem. Finally dealer replaces fuel pump.at 5900 miles again car has same problem 1.5 hours from home 55+MPH on interstate.dealer again replaces fuel pump.at 24000 miles on interstate again same symptoms at 70+ MPH.after 3 different dealerships in two different states again fuel pump is replaced.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Saturn SL stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 1997 Saturn SL?
6 of 226 owner complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL (3%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Saturn SL?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Saturn SL
Seat belt 18Oil consumption 7Tire blowout 7Fuel pump 6Adaptive cruise 5Brake failure 5Harsh shifting 5Won't start 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Saturn SL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history