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1999 Saturn SL electrical problems

20 complaints (11% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 118,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
118,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    4
  • Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
    2
  • Ignition: switch
    2
  • Ignition: module
    2
  • Horn
    2
  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    2
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Saturn SL electrical problems in other years

199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1999 Saturn SL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 19, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 118,000 miles · OR

I just received a 1999 saturn sl 2 series a year ago from my mother for my very first car. I got it at about 100,000 miles and it is now currently at 122,446. I noticed about a month ago while I would be driving, usually after about 1-2 miles after starting up the car and driving, my gears began to slip. I kept up with just about monthly oil changes, accompanied by transmission fluid checked and topped off. My transmission oil has never been low. Then, about 4 days ago I went to leave from my work orientation, and I couldn?t back up my car from my parking spot, the reverse had went out. So I put the car back in drive, then back to reverse thinking maybe it didn?t go into reverse all the way and it did not work. I revved up the engine, nothing happening until I did it pretty hard, and eventually it started rolling back a little. I looked up on the internet to see if this was a pretty big issue or not, and I realize I see it a lot in 1999 saturns. A recall I believe would be the best option for fixing this issue and would further prevent people from spending so much money. I took my car to a mechanic and it?s currently sitting there now. I don?t know what they are going to tell me. I believe it could be a small part that just needs replaced, but I?m sure they?re going to just have me purchase a whole new transmission which is not what I prefer to do as a 18 year old college student. Especially if the car was only 700$ that I purchased it for.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. While driving at various speeds, the engine stalled without warning and restarted after ten minutes. The failure was persistent. The contact also stated that the ignition failed to release the key. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. Updated 11/23/15*lj

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 112,000 miles · TX

The lock on the steering column is too loose to be turned effectively only someone who has driven the car for a while knows how to get the key to turn so that the car can be started.

Filed Aug 1, 2014 · Electrical · 225,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. The contact stated that the lost power and vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness lost connection with the instrument panel box. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 140,000 miles · MN · crash · 4 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes were applied to prevent from crashing into another vehicle that had disobeyed the stop sign. As a result, the vehicle slid and crashed into another vehicle and rolled into a snow embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact driver sustained head injuries and the three passengers sustained minor injuries, which required medical attention. In addition, the key could be removed from the ignition when driving. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2009 · Electrical · 75,000 miles · KY

I have a 1999 saturn sl that I bought off a saturn employee two months ago; it was making a whining sound but she said that the sound was because it had a non standard part on it. The ignition locked up once or twice and now it will not crank nor start. I have checked the ignition switch, the starter-solenoid and all wires and cables. I have also called saturn and was told that they had no idea what it could be and that there weren't any recalls on any of the parts above nor any that could possibly cause the car not to crank or start. They suggested that I bring it in.

Filed May 30, 2008 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · UT

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 saturn sl1. The contact stated that the horn assembly on the vehicle was completely inoperative. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 98v307000 (communications:horn assembly), although the failures were identical. The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were 135,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2007 · Electrical · 76,500 miles · NY

1999 saturn sl2 77,500 miles third time fuse box had to be replaced. All the power window motors had to be replaced.

Filed Aug 10, 2006 · Electrical · CA

I called mr.akinbusola desola akintola harrison on 08/03/06 for '99 saturn sl2 for sale over craigs list web-site date 08/02/06ad#[email protected]. When meeting him in person I asked him if the car had any damages, accidents or perhaps to disclose any information about the car. He said that the car is in perfect conditions its a clean car, no accidents, no dents the car was in good condition. When I asked him to bring the dmv paperwork along with registration and pink slip he only brought the dmv forms to fill out. The seller lost the pink slip, but with dmv form reg 227 you should receive a copy. Once we finished with the forms he asked for the payment to be in cash $2,500. After the transaction I drove him back to his home. He advised me to change the cars battery because he got the wrong one (a difference of $30.00 already!) I headed back to work & this car stopped running while still driving I parked it over my job's parking lot. I checked the registration: which was issued on 7/11/2006 pr/hist: salvage!!! He managed to fool me & mr.khan as well! He brought a printed out sales contract along with the dmv forms which seemed fair. Mr.akintola harrison kept the vehicle's registration with him at all times until he got the papers filled out, and signed and the $2,500.00 in cash. He released the car's registration placing it in between of all the dvm documents. I called him on monday 08/07/2006 until now asking him in good faith to do a fair exchange (this vehicle has been parked over where I work since I bought it) in a friendly manner I asked him to get my money back with no hard feelings & when can we resolve this issue? I did changed the battery as requested (a $30.00 loss on me)mr. Harrison called my work number and told me that he has spent the $2,500 already; instead I should buy a new alternator! Please help me with advice in how to approach this event!

Filed Mar 28, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · OK

Saturn was leaking oil into the radiator expansion tank and water in the oil. Over heating really bad that the car will shut down and not start until cool, and it boils over in the radiator expansion tank. October '03 had head gaskets replaced, and the heads sent off for service, one month later, its back to leaking oil in the coolant and water in the oil. Oxygen sensor went out, and has been replaced and so did the ignition modular, which has been replaced.

Questions about the 1999 Saturn SL electrical

Does the 1999 Saturn SL have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the electrical of the 1999 Saturn SL, 11% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Saturn SL electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 118,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Saturn SL electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Saturn SL have the most electrical problems?

The Saturn SL model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (43 complaints), 1996 (39 complaints) and 1997 (31 complaints).

Other 1999 Saturn SL problems

Engine 47Brakes 34Transmission 22Airbags 20Seat belts 12Tires 12Seats 8Suspension 8Acceleration 7Steering 7Visibility 5Fuel system 4Body 3Lights 2Locks 2Wheels 1

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