VehicleVerdict

1996 Saturn SL electrical system problems

The 1996 Saturn SL has 48 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

48

Electrical System complaints

13%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

SL electrical system complaints by model year48 complaints1991: 3 complaints1992: 21 complaints1993: 21 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 31 complaints1996: 48 complaints1997: 32 complaints1998: 20 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 33 complaints2002: 44 complaints
SL electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

ONE TIME AT A STOP SIGN, PRESS THE BRAKING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT NO BRAKING EFFECT. AFTER ADJUSTING THE REAR DRUM OR DISK, PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT. THE CAR'S ALTERNATOR WAS DEAD AFTER ONLY 36000 BUT DEALER WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CAR START TO SHAKING FROM THE START TO END OF BRAKING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 48 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL electrical system — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.