Model year record

1993 Saturn SL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 228 owner complaints on file.

Saturn SL, 1991–1995 generation
Pictured: the 1991–1995 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Saturn SL model years

All Saturn SL recalls by year

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.