Rpms go up to 5 and then drop to 0 - engine stalls and will start but will continue at high rpms and keep stalling. As I was traveling at 50 MPH, the rpms went up to 5, and then quickly dropped to 0. The engine stalled and I coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle would start but when reaching 35 MPH, would do same thing (high rpms and then drop and stall). I had to keep sitting and re starting to get the remainder of 6 miles to my home. Garage ran diagnostic and found nothing wrong. The car continues to do this at least 2 times per week, currently sitting in our garage because I am afraid to drive it and get stranded again. This occurs on city streets and highways.
Saturn SL stalling problems
85 of the 2,211 owner complaints about the Saturn SL describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 85
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 65,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 7Check engine light 6Overheating 3Jerking 3Hesitation 3Headlights 3Fuel pump 3Transmission failure 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owned a 1993 saturn sl-2. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact attempted to coast the vehicle off to the right shoulder, but lost control and crashed into three poles. The air bags failed to deploy and ejected the contact through the front windshield. A police report was filed. The contact sustained broken ribs and a permanent head injury. The contact was in a coma on life support for three weeks. The vehicle was towed and the insurance company declared that it was destroyed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 10/05/17*lj *js
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sl. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed. The ignition switch was replaced on four separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 211,795. The consumer stated the vehicle would stall each time. Updated 08/19/15*jb also, the starter was replaced. Updated 11/19/15.
This vehicle is a death trap the vehicle shuts off while driving, can not start, whole steering column is loose, key comes out during driving. ...updated 09/22/15
Saturn is an l200 series/there was only the ls on your list.numerous occasions of engine stall while traveling at all speeds. Called saturn/said VIN not accepted? Live in florida keys/had to go to miami & get tail lamp fixed/only lasted two weeks (this was before engine stall) & call to saturn. Am 69yr old female/afraid to use car/paid for all sorts of repairs/modules/sensors???and more. No one in keys to repair via gm - saturn said miami only. Roundtrip over 200 miles. Afraid to drive/can't afford another car/must junk and, ofcourse, saturn said VIN # not under recall for engine or electrical. Is there any way to recoup dollars I paid for any repairs on this car??? So much more than I am listing here......thank you the federal safety agency.
Car will turn over and immediately stall. This will continue for approx. 10 to 15 min.each time you turn the key,it will turn over and immediately stall. As if there is no gas going to the fuel injectors; or the fuel injectors stop . No mechanic can seem to find the problem since it never happens when I'm at the repair shop. Like I said when this problem happens, it will last for approx. 10 to 15 min. Then the car will start as if nothing ever happened.
Key comes out freely while car is in drive and key does not need to be in the ignition once car is started. Engine will randomly stall.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn sl. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and it was coasted to the emergency lane. The contact made several failed attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The ignition switch, ignition control module and cylinder were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saturn SL stalling
Which Saturn SL years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (15 complaints), 1995 (13 complaints) and 1999 (12 complaints).
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