Model year record

1995 Saturn SL

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 481 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V217000

Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)

Component
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
20,518
Reported to NHTSA
1994-11-08
Owners notified
1994-10-27

Defect description

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V170000

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)

Component
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
931
Reported to NHTSA
1994-09-14
Owners notified
1994-08-24

Defect description

THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

Safety risk

FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seats: front assembly: recliner3978,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3464,750 mi
Seats33100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal30
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline21
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components21
Power train: automatic transmission1967,500 mi
Vehicle speed control17
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor14
Power train: manual transmission10
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads10
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)9134,578 mi
Steering8103,000 mi
Tires8208,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc7
Electrical system: ignition6
Electrical system: ignition: module6
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6
Steering: rack and pinion658,226 mi
Air bags5
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator5
Engine and engine cooling582,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system554,908 mi
Tires: tread/belt5
Unknown or other5
Electrical system475,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Structure: body: door4
Suspension: front4
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly445,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3
Parking brake312,300 mi
Power train3
Power train: clutch assembly3
Service brakes, hydraulic312,300 mi
Structure: body3
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system397,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2168,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Service brakes, air: disc: pads2
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering: column2110,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan145,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1103,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)137,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1172,171 mi
Seat belts145,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: integrated child seat1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1
Wheels1208,000 mi

The 1994 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has about 1.5 times 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.