1999 Saturn Sedan problems

Common 1999 Saturn Sedan problems

The 1999 Saturn SL1 is known for several common problems based on complaints from car owners. Here are the most frequently reported issues:

• Motor Mounts and Transmission Mounts: Motor mounts and transmission mounts wear out around 150,000 miles. Replacing these components can help minimize problems and keep the car running smoothly.

• Fuel Filter: The fuel filter is located along the driver side front fender inside the car. Replacing the fuel filter can help maintain the overall performance and longevity of the vehicle.

• Idle Pulley Bearings: Idle pulley bearings can go out at around 200,000 miles. Replacing the pulley and belt can help address this issue.

• Valve Body: A hard shift transmission can be caused by a valve body issue. This problem is best addressed by someone with experience due to the small parts involved.

• Valve Cover Gasket: The valve cover gasket is the only gasket that tends to blow on these engines. Replacing it can help resolve any issues related to this component.

• Wheel Bearings and Catalytic Converter: These components can wear out and require replacement, especially if the car has high mileage. For example, a Saturn SL2 with 195,000 miles may need new wheel bearings and a new catalytic converter.

• Sway Bar and Control Arms: These components can wear out due to road conditions and usage, especially in areas with salt on the roads in winter. Replacing them can help maintain the car's performance and safety.

• Intake Manifold Gasket: The intake manifold gasket can fail, causing the check engine light to come on with the code P0509. Replacing the gasket can help address this issue.

• Throttle Position Sensor (TPS), Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor (ECTS), and Crankshaft Position Sensor (CPS): These sensors can cause various issues, such as high idle problems. Cleaning or replacing them can help resolve these issues.

• Transmission Shifting Problems: Transmission issues, such as the car not wanting to change gears from second to third after driving in stop-and-go traffic and the transmission warming up, can occur. These problems may be caused by a high idle issue related to the intake manifold gasket or other factors.

• Age-Induced Problems: As with any 18-year-old car with high mileage, age-induced problems can be expected. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address these issues.

Are old Saturns reliable?

Older Saturns, especially the ones that are approaching 20 years old or older, should only be expected to last for another 3-5 years at most. Saturns that are only 10-11 years old will likely be good for 5-10 more years, but they will have slightly increased maintenance costs that whole time.

What is the value of a 1999 Saturn?

The value of a used 1999 Saturn S-Series ranges from $138 to $909, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

How long do Saturn engines last?

Saturn engines were generally reliable and long-lasting. A 2002 Saturn SL2 came with an I4 engine that made 124 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque. With regular oil changes and smooth driving, you can expect the SL2's engine to last at least 200,000 miles.

Is Saturn a safe car?

A new study has identified Pontiac and Saturn drivers as some of the safest drivers on the road today with the lowest number of on-road incidents. Meanwhile, Ram drivers were shown to have the highest number of on-road incidents.

1999 Saturn Sedan car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saturn Sedan problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Engine and engine cooling problems
• Tires problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Saturn Sedan vehicle components and the number of complaints received.