What is the fuel economy of a 1996 Saturn SL?

EPA figures for the 1996 Saturn SL reach 29 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1996 Saturn SL?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 1996 Saturn SL. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site - recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 1996 Saturn SL?

Owners have filed 200 complaints with NHTSA for the 1996 Saturn SL, most often about: Engine And Engine Cooling, Electrical System, Power Train. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Saturn · 1996

1996 Saturn SL

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 29 MPG.

Fuel economy (EPA)

Engine	Transmission	Fuel	City	Highway	Combined	CO2 g/mi
1.9L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	21	31	25	355
1.9L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	23	33	27	329
1.9L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	22	32	26	342
1.9L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	25	36	29	306

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

2 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 97V138000

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.

Campaign 09E012000

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.

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

200 complaints filed by owners for this model year (29 involving a crash, 2 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Engine And Engine Cooling 46 Electrical System 31 Power Train 23

Decode this car's VIN All Saturn models

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.