Model year record

1994 Saturn SL

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 376 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V045000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
138,691
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-12
Owners notified
1999-03-13

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control3386,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine29
Seats: front assembly: recliner29155,000 mi
Seat belts2168,322 mi
Seats19117,000 mi
Air bags: frontal18162,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission18
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14
Seat belts: front: retractor13115,932 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components9
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator817,989 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage7
Electrical system: ignition6
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Power train5
Power train: manual transmission5
Unknown or other5
Seat belts: front4125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4
Tires4180,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly4
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4
Electrical system3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly3100,230 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Parking brake2
Power train: clutch assembly2
Seat belts: front: webbing2
Seat belts: rear/other269,870 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: rack and pinion2
Structure: body: door2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages2
Child seat1223,000 mi
Child seat: handle (infant)1
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: electrical1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering1
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Structure: body1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1

The 1993 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 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.