Model year record

1993 Saturn SL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 228 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 93V094000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
14,459
Reported to NHTSA
1993-05-25
Owners notified
1993-06-12

Defect description

THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. INCORRECTLY FORMED TERMINALS CAN CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine19
Vehicle speed control17
Power train: automatic transmission1435,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip13
Seats: front assembly: recliner12
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11
Seats960,000 mi
Air bags: frontal7
Power train: manual transmission7
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator629,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6
Electrical system565,000 mi
Seat belts5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5
Tires5149,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery460,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4131,788 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Seat belts: front: retractor4135,310 mi
Structure: body: door460,000 mi
Unknown or other4120,000 mi
Air bags3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3
Tires: tread/belt3
Visibility: windshield3
Engine and engine cooling2106,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Power train2
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys129,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: fog lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Parking brake1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1
Power train: driveline1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Tires: sidewall1209,875 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility/wiper160,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Wheels1

The 1992 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 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.