1999 Saturn SL engine problems

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 Jul 30, 2008 · Engine · 115,000 miles · OK

Oil keeps collecting in the water reservoir seems to have developed the problem very suddenly took it to a garage and the head mechanic said this is a common problem with saturns so I am wondering if this is something of a design flaw that needs to be addressed,and the public needs to be informed about. Wonder if there is a manufacturer fix for the problem?

Filed Jul 27, 2007 · Engine · 100,400 miles · NY

Once my saturn sl as at least 2 others that I know of that own this same type of vehicle, hit 100k miles or just slightly over, the head gasket blows. I loved the car until this point and would have purchased another if this wasn't a common issue with saturns.

Filed Oct 23, 2006 · Engine · 96,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle used up a large amount of radiator fluid. There were no visible leaks on the driveway, however the reservoir had to be refilled every 3 days. The vehicle was taken to a private repair shop, where, upon inspection, there was moisture around the top of the radiator tank, and it was determined that the radiator tank had leaked from the top.

Filed May 26, 2006 · Engine · 107,327 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 15 to 20 MPH, the engine suddenly lost power. There were no warning indicators prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop who determined the crank position sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted of the problem. Updated 06/15/06.

Filed Nov 22, 2005 · Engine · 44,300 miles · CA

1999 saturn sl1 44300 miles on it. 3-4 weeks ago coolant light came on. Checked coolant level was fine but milky subs floating on top. Checked with radiator shop, suggested flush system and replace coolant. 2 weeks later oil light came on. Checked oil, none on dip stick (3 weeks after oil change). Added oil and vehicle was driven about 15-20 miles and began to overheat. Vehicle was towed to saturn of monrovia where they found a cracked block. Dealership and saturn corp. Are not willing to cover fixing the problem even though they know there are still problems with these engines. Earlier models had warranties extended to 6 year/100,000 miles. Saturn corp. Stated that vehicle was past that warranty and I am out of luck. I think that saturn should fix the problem at their expense as they know of the defects but continue to do nothing about it. I don't think I should have to pay almost $2,000 to have this defect fixed. I do have receipts since I have owned the vehicle (less then a year) and my brother owned the veh. Prior but didn't use saturn except twice to service the vehicle since they were not close to his residence while he lived in texas.

Filed Sep 12, 2005 · Engine · 48,000 miles · AR

I purchased my saturn sl2 4-door brand new in 1999 with only 10 miles on it. It was a perfect car until it overheated one day. I called the dealership service department and they told me to use only dex-cool in my engine. So I walked and purchased some and went on my way. Since that time my engine continuously gets overheated, I have had to replace the water pump, the radiator cap and now the dealership has told me that I have a cracked radiator head with warped gaskets which will cost too much for me due to my being on disability. My car only has 94,000 miles on it and I have it serviced regularly. I feel that dex-cool or the dealership should be held responsible in fixing my vehicle to no fault of my own.

Filed Jul 15, 2005 · Engine · 94,000 miles · TX

Dt: the vehicle is a 1999 saturn sl. When the check engine light came on the consumers daughter took it to get the oil changed. Four days later on 6-25-05, she heard an explosion; the cap on the radiator coolant had popped off. She noticed that there was something gushing out of the vehicle, which turned out to be the coolant and oil mixed. This mixture is currently splattered on the consumers driveway. Afterwards she contacted the place were she got the oil changed and they told her to bring it in. She had the vehicle towed to the them on 6-27. They told her they thought it was a cracked head gasket. Afterwards when the consumer called them she was told that there were problems with those types of vehicle. There is a recall number 0304. They do not have the option to repair vehicles just oil changes and such. So she took it to the dealership saturn of amarillo, which told her that it was a cracked cylinder head. They informed her that they would have to replace the cylinder head, thermostat, and the water pump. The vehicle is current being fixed at another dealership. When asking the dealership about the recall they told her they know nothing about a recall for that problem. When she contacted the manufacture they told her there was nothing that she could have done to prevent this problem. Afterwards, her daughter called and they told her there was no recall on her VIN number. Consumer feels that the manufacture should reimburse her for the cost caused by this malfunction.

Filed May 6, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · 4,700 miles · FL

In 2003 my daughter bought a 1999 saturn with 47000 miles that had just been turned in from a lease from a dealer and it started smoking and using a quart of oil per 1,000at which time we contacted this agency and gm because the car was alaways dealer serviced and had not yet reached it's half life. Saturn told us that this was normal howver, the condition has only worsed over time and it's now using 1.5 qt's per 1000 miles and smoking worse. I bet the epa would like to know that. Additionally the rotor have failed twice becoming warped and the motor mount has failed along with a coolent temp sensor. Many people have reported these same problems and gm knows it. Once again we asked them for some goodwill and they turned us down saying that the car (now) has too many miles even tho they said that it would be documented but it appears that they have strung us along doing leak down test at our cost from 2003 and from our gov complaint until now while telling us that this was normal use............ That was wrong and they should face a recall because they have allowed a problematic engine which they knew about to be sold to the general public and then they refused to help the consumers in need. I'll never buy a saturn or a gm again. And, I plan to sell my sons new saturn too after this poor treatment.