Model year guide

1996 Saturn sl

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Saturn sl is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1996 Saturn sl — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1996 Saturn sl at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints363
Combined25–29 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Saturn sl recalls 2

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) NHTSA Campaign #97V138000 · 29/08/1997

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Saturn sl common problems

Owners have filed 363 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

1996 Saturn sl MPG & running costs

Combined25–29 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,525
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Saturn sl costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,625
Fuel only$12,625
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1996 Saturn sl trims & engines on record

Engines
1.9L 4-cyl

1996 Saturn sl vehicles on record

1996 Saturn sl 1996 Saturn sl1G8ZK5271TZ187073

Other Saturn sl model years

2002 2001 1999

1996 Saturn sl — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Saturn sl have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Saturn sl. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Saturn sl?

Owners have filed 363 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, steering, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Saturn sl get?

The 1996 Saturn sl has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.