VehicleVerdict

1996 Saturn SL engine problems

The 1996 Saturn SL has 71 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

71

Engine complaints

19%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

SL engine complaints by model year75 complaints1991: 2 complaints1992: 28 complaints1993: 36 complaints1994: 50 complaints1995: 75 complaints1996: 71 complaints1997: 41 complaints1998: 29 complaints1999: 51 complaints2000: 38 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 22 complaints
SL engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

DUE TO ICE IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, WHILE PARKING MY CAR, CAR SLID INTO A IRON GUARD RAIL AND THE RADIATOR, A/C CONDENSER, SUPPORT OF FRONT BUMPER COVER AND FRONT BUMPER COVER WERE ALL DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND HAD TO BE REPLACED

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 14, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 71 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL engine — 19% 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.