Vehicle recall 97V138000 · August 29, 1997
1996-1997 Saturn SL
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- This could result in the pinion gear disengaging from the rack causing a loss of steering control.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly.
- Notes
- Owner notification began August 29, 1997.OWNERS who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Saturn at 1-800-833-6000.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V138000
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 29, 1997
- Filed by
- GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Owner notification
- August 29, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 14,580
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
Has your Saturn been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Saturn dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.