The 1996 Saturn SL has 21 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 6% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
21
Steering complaints
6%
Share of year
7
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL STEERING. THE PINION BEARING CAGE IN THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE UNDER HIGH STEERING SYSTEM LOAD CONDITIONS, SUCH AS PARKING LOT OR SIMILAR LOW SPEED MANEUVERS.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PINION GEAR DISENGAGING FROM THE RACK CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
“REQUEST A DEFECT INVESTIGATION FOR POSSIBLE RECALL OF 1990-96 SATURN SL. *BF THE WRITER'S SON WAS KILLED IN AND ACCIDENT IN WHICH, PER WITNESS STATEMENTS, HER SONS VEHICLE VEERED SHARPLY LEFT AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SOME TYPE OF DEFECT CAUSED HER SON'S ACCIDENT. *NM”
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL steering — 6% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 97V138000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.