The 1997 Saturn Z has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 64,518 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED OR SERVICED WITH A HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD FAIL. THE HORN COULD EITHER BECOME INOPERABLE OR ACTIVATE WITHOUT THE DRIVER PRESSING THE HORN BUTTON.
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, HEAT CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE ASSEMBLY AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HORN ASSEMBLY.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WHILE THE CYLINDER IS IN THE RUN POSITION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
THE IGNITION KEY MUST BE REINSERTED IN THE IGNITION CYLINDER TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF.
DEALERS WILL PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND, IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S IGNITION CYLINDER RE-CODED. OWNERS CAN PERFORM THIS FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES IF THEY SO DESIRE.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Horn was sounding with no one in the car. Smoke was coming from the horn, under the hood. Unplugged the horn. Same problem as seen in recall 98v307000. *tr”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Saturn Z as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.