10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,170 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Saturn SL:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #10

Oct 222012

SL

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Saturn Sl, equipped with summit sienpre 6 tires, size 185/65/R15. The contact stated that he noticed that the rear driver and passenger tires had developed large bubbles in them. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were not replaced. The failure and current mileages on the tire were approximately 30,000. The failure and current mileages on the vehicle were approximately 125,000.

- College Park, MD, USA

problem #9

Apr 112010

SL

  • 70,000 miles
My Firestone compact spare tire for a 1998 Saturn SL2, which has never been used, shows tread separation. The rubber is splitting apart in the tread area and the belts are showing through. This also happened to a previous Firestone compact spare I owned for a Saturn. The tire is size T115/70R14 and the serial number is hym7H5A377. The tire is admittedly old, but the extent of damage is alarming considering the tire has not been used. It has been impossible to find a new replacement- tire dealers say to get a replacement from a junk yard, but they would have the same problem. A full size spare will not fit in the trunk's tire well.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #8

May 212007

SL 4-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Saturn SL1. The vehicle has Goodyear assurance tires, size P185/70/R14. While driving approximately 65 mph, the rear passenger side tire blew out without warning. Within one year, six identical tires in various locations failed without warning. The contact took the tires to the dealer and had the first set replaced. Shortly after the replacement, the tires failed. The manufacturer did not assist and the technician could not identify the cause of the failure. The contact has possession of the failed tires. The failure and current mileages were 10,000. Updated 03/09/09. Updated 03/11/09.

- Ocean Side , CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 232005

SL 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 110,700 miles
My new husband and I had just driven over 300 miles the night before on the interstate to our honeymoon destination. The next afternoon, we were traveling on a divided four lane at approximately 50 mph when a tire blew. The tires were relatively new and had little wear. The gentleman at the tire dealership showed us where the tire had just "ruptured" on its on. The tire was made by Firestone and was an affinity label. I replaced the damaged tire and the opposite tire on the front (my car is front wheel drive). The remaining two tires on the rear look just like the front tires did, and the salesman recommended we have them checked as well and also recommended they be replaced asap. I have heard of other individuals who have had problems with this same tire (after I made my purchase) and was worried. I feel these tires should be recalled by Firestone asap because they are unsafe.

- Cornelia, GA, USA

problem #6

Dec 122003

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
While driving at 65 mph left front tire went flat, consumer lost control, vehicle rolled over, and neither of the air bags deployed. Consumer bought vehicle five days prior to accident, and was not sure if there were air bags in the vehicle.

- Edgerton, WI, USA

problem #5

Dec 022000

SL

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicles.( dot number: Tire size: P28565/R15 )

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #4

Dec 022000

SL

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicles. (tiresize: P28565/R15)( dot number: Tire size: P28565/R15 )

- Loveland, CO, USA

problem #3

Sep 211999

SL

  • miles
Traveling on I-5 so @ approx 72mph left rear tire blew out. Original stock tire on Saturn. Luckily vehicle didn't fishtail or go out of control @ freeway speeds. Saturn dealership referred me to Firestone. Firestone claimed no credit towards new tires; replaced all four at this time. Tire had multiple gashes/holes & tread coming apart. Had to drive on rim till got to shoulder 2 lanes over. Don't know if lucky I was in a low profile vehicle so avoided the problems the SUV's have or not? due to long commutes will not purchase this type of tire. Have had better results from other brands.damage of $120 is only 1/4 cost of complete set of tire replacement of $467.87 paid. (tiresize: P185/65hr1)( dot number: Tire size: P185/65hr1 )

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 012000

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
The tread separated from the belts. I have seen this on retreads but never new tires. It is as if you took a knife and cleanly separated the tread above the belt.( dot number: W2ep tire size: P175/70R14 )

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 011999

(reported on)

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Two Firestone tires wrre flat.

- La Habra, CA, USA