Model year record

1994 Saturn SL

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

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

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.

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.