How Reliable is the Saturn SL?

Front 3/4 view of a Saturn SL

SL owners have made 16 complaints over 8 model years. It ranks 4th in reliability out of 22 eligible Saturn models.

Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Saturn score is 4.43 while the SL comes in at 0.58.

What SL Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

SL Generations

The SL has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (1997–2000).

  1. 3rd Generation SL

    Years
    2002–2002
    Reliability
    8th of 34
    PainRank™
    0.49
    Complaints
    2
    Continue

  2. 2nd Generation SL

    Years
    1997–2000
    Reliability
    11th of 34
    PainRank™
    0.62
    Complaints
    8
    Continue

  3. 1st Generation SL

    Years
    1992–1995
    Reliability
    3rd of 34
    PainRank™
    0.3
    Complaints
    6
    Continue

SL Key Numbers

  1. 16 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 194 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 16 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Other Saturn Models