1996 Saturn SL SL2 review from North America
"Worked well for 12 years"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Alternator.
Battery.
Coolant temperature sensor x 2.
Engine serpentine belt tensioner.
General comments?
Overall a reliable example. Really didn't have many issues with the car until it was about 7 years old.
The most frustrating problem is the coolant temperature sensor. It seems that many engine control adjustments are a function of the coolant temperature so when the sensor starts behaving in an intermittent manner the engine revs at idle surge or fall causing the car to stall --> this causes the service engine soon light to come on - it takes a few days for this to clear. The same sensor problems will cause surging at speed as well. I've had to replace this sensor twice.
At 220K km, the engine belt tensioner needs to be replaced.
Trunk is very roomy. I can fit a bass guitar in a hardshell case into the trunk, which is not the case with some of the cars I'm checking out as potential replacements for the Saturn.
Recommended reviews
  | What a piece of junk! |
| Avoid Saturn |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | |
| Dealer Service marks | 8/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 230000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 22nd November, 2007 |