Model year record

1995 Saturn SL

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

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.

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.