Model year record

1992 Saturn SL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 173 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 93V132000

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Component
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
352,833
Reported to NHTSA
1993-08-10
Owners notified
1993-08-06

Defect description

THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.

Safety risk

SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V098000

Power train

Component
Power train
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
633
Reported to NHTSA
1992-07-08
Owners notified
1992-06-19

Defect description

THE TRANSAXLE VALVE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MACHINED. VEHICLES MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK.

Safety risk

IF THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL, IT COULD BE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR COULD STARTIN REVERSE OR DRIVE, OR MIGHT MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH OR INJURY TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine18
Seat belts16
Seats12140,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator11
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor10
Seats: front assembly: recliner6
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5
Power train: manual transmission5148,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5
Seat belts: front: retractor5
Vehicle speed control5
Power train: automatic transmission4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Wheels4
Electrical system: wiring3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Unknown or other3
Air bags: frontal2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Air bags1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, other1
Latches/locks/linkages1148,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Steering115,900 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1991 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.