VehicleVerdict

1997 Saturn SL electrical system problems

The 1997 Saturn SL has 32 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

32

Electrical System complaints

11%

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

WE EXPERIENCED A DASHBOARD FIRE IN OUR 1997 SATURN SL1 IN THE FALL OF 2003. MY WIFE TURNED THE KEY, STARTED THE CAR, SHIFTED TO REVERSE, AND BEGAN BACKING UP WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT, THE CAR JOLTED TO A STOP, AND THE INTERIOR IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH ACRID SMOKE. THE KNOXVILLE SATURN DEALER REPLACED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 16, 2003 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1997 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL electrical system — 11% 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.