1995 Saturn SL

High concern

Owners filed 355 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats. It has been recalled 3 times.

Avoid One of the Saturn SL years to avoid: 2.1× the complaints of a typical SL year. Which Saturn SL years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
100,800 milesMedian miles at failure

40 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.

Most common 1995 Saturn SL problems

63 of the 355 complaints (18%) are about the seats.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner36
15015
Seats27
908
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine24
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags22
21112
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine19
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission16
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration14
302
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components · brakes12
300
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor · brakes11
100
Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)9
100

1995 Saturn SL seats problems

18% of all complaints

63 of the 355 complaints are about the seats.

Share of the 63 seats complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
100,000 mi
median of 8 reports
Peak year of filing
1999
11 seats complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
24 · 0 · 23
in these complaints
Recalls on the seats
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 saturn sl sedan. The contact stated that the recliner on the front driver side seat would become loose and the contact lost support in the back while sitting. The contact was able to adjust seat but the failure recurred constantly. The contact stated the failure also occurred when attempting to exit the vehicle. The contact had to adjust seat every time he entered the vehicle.”
Owner complaint, filed Jun 21, 2012 at 110,000 miles
“My wife was on the way home from picking up our kids from school and the drivers seat reclining back gave way reclining the seat back all the way. I looked up a previous recall saturn had for the yr, make, and model however either due to either age or VIN # series from what I had found online the dealer will not honor the warranty.”
Owner complaint, filed Apr 30, 2012 at 78,600 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
1994: 0 complaints, 0 about the seats'941995: 54 complaints, 2 about the seats1996: 38 complaints, 4 about the seats'961997: 32 complaints, 2 about the seats1998: 33 complaints, 4 about the seats'981999: 35 complaints, 11 about the seats2000: 43 complaints, 9 about the seats'002001: 35 complaints, 9 about the seats2002: 24 complaints, 8 about the seats'022003: 19 complaints, 5 about the seats2004: 14 complaints, 1 about the seats'042005: 6 complaints, 1 about the seats2006: 6 complaints, 1 about the seats'062007: 3 complaints, 0 about the seats2008: 6 complaints, 3 about the seats'082009: 0 complaints, 0 about the seats2010: 0 complaints, 0 about the seats'102011: 2 complaints, 1 about the seats2012: 3 complaints, 2 about the seats'122013: 0 complaints, 0 about the seats2014: 1 complaints, 0 about the seats'142015: 0 complaints, 0 about the seats2016: 1 complaints, 0 about the seats'16Recall 94V170000 (steering)Recall 94V217000 (transmission)Recall 99V045000 (seats)NHTSA investigation RQ00005NHTSA investigation EA95003
All complaintsAbout the seatsRecall (red: the seats)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 1995 SL peaked in 1995, with 54 filed that year. Owners had filed 14 complaints about the seats before the first recall that covers it, 99V045000 in March 1999; 49 more have come in since. In 2016 owners filed 1 so far.

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Filed Mar 12, 1999138,691 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)94V217000
Filed Nov 8, 199420,518 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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."

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

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

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)94V170000
Filed Sep 14, 1994931 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING ASSEMBLY.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 3 name the 1995 SL.

FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSERecall query RQ00005Closed
Opened Feb 16, 2000Closed Aug 19, 2000Led to recall 99V045000seats
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEngineering analysis EA95003Closed
Opened Feb 24, 1995Closed May 31, 1996equipment

This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system. These problems were investigated and steps taken by the manufacturer to remedy their occurrences.service procedures were issued for vehicles in use, and a design modification made for new vehicles.no confirmed allegations of failure of the system to disengage upon command were …

CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPreliminary evaluation PE94079Closed
Opened Nov 7, 1994Closed Feb 24, 1995equipment

There is no summary currently available

Technical service bulletins

3 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1995 SL. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

equipment 1engine 1headlights 1

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 31, 2016CA

AUTO ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 07/31/2015, THE LEFT FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN CAUSING INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER IN OUR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND ONCE THE KEYS WERE TAKEN OUT IS WHEN RIGHT FRONT AIR BAG WAS DISPLOYED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 10, 2014WA

INSTALLED MICROGARD FUEL FILTER ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 A MONTH AGO STARTED SMELLING GAS HAD IT LOOKED AT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE. THE HOLE IS IN THE BLACK PLASTIC, THIS PIPE ATTACHES TO THE ALUMINUM PIPE, BY THE TEST VALVE. I T RUBS ON THE EGR VALVE? (THIS FILTER HAS THE HOSE ATTACHED TO IT, ALL ONE UNIT.) THIS LEAK COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MASSIVE FIRE BECAUSE IT ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND IS A HIGH PRESSURE HOSE. I BOUGHT A NEW ONE ANOTHER MICRO GARD AND PUT A THICKER HOSE AROUND THE BLACK PIPE. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 15, 2012103,000 milesWA

AFTER A POP NOISE DURING NEGOTIATING A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY APPEARED TILTED EVEN WHILE GOING STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS STEERED WITH INCREASED LOSS OF CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MOVED TO CURB. STEERING WAS UNUSABLE THEREAFTER AND CAR WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS. *TR

Seats
Filed Jun 21, 2012110,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECLINER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD BECOME LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST SUPPORT IN THE BACK WHILE SITTING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST SEAT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADJUST SEAT EVERY TIME HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V045000 (SEATS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Apr 30, 201278,600 milesWI

MY WIFE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINING BACK GAVE WAY RECLINING THE SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY. I LOOKED UP A PREVIOUS RECALL SATURN HAD FOR THE YR, MAKE, AND MODEL HOWEVER EITHER DUE TO EITHER AGE OR VIN # SERIES FROM WHAT I HAD FOUND ONLINE THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I ALSO CONTACTED A YOUNG LADY WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WHO ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I READ OFF THE RECALL NUMBERS FOUND ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE. DEALER WANTS ME TO COME IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC HOWEVER WILL NOT LET ME KNOW OF A PRICE? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SEVERE INCIDENT AS BOTH MY CHILDREN WERE ALSO IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WHICH LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *JS

Wheels
Filed Sep 26, 2011208,000 milesNC

MY COMPLAINT IS WITH A DAYTON QUADRA SE TIRE, SIZE P175/70R14 THE TIRE IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 20,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN PLUGGED OR PATCHED. IT HAS NEVER BEEN FLAT OR LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. ON SEPT 1 2011 WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 NEAR THE FORSYTH-DAVIE COUNTY LINE IN NORTH CAROLINA A PIECE OF THE TIRE'S TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CORE OF THE TIRE SIMILAR TO THE WAY RECAPPED TIRES DO. THE SEPARATED PIECE IS STILL ATTACHED TO THE TIRE AT ONE POINT BUT THREW ENOUGH RUBBER OFF THAT IT ACTUALLY KNOCKED A HOLE IN THE SATURN'S LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL. A CRACK NEARLY 5 INCHES LONG. I BELIEVE THIS WAS SIMILAR ISSUE TO THE FIRESTONE TIRES SEPARATING AND BEING BLAMED FOR SUV ACCIDENTS 10 YEARS OR SO AGO. THE TIRE CAUSED NO PERSONAL INJURY BUT I DID LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE POUNDING CAUSED BY THE LOOSE RUBBER. THE TIRE NEVER LOST AIR PRESSURE. *TR

Seats
Filed Apr 14, 2011200,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO RECLINE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

Tires
Filed Sep 4, 2008AZ

DRIVING MY 1995 SATURN SL1 AT 65MPH, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER IN LESS THAN 200 YARDS AND CHANGE THE TIRE. THE LOCAL SHOP SAID THE VALVE STEM WAS "DRY ROTTED" AND SO THEY REPLACED IT. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE OTHER TIRE VALVE STEMS SHOWS CRACKS. THE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AT WAL MART IN SUMMER 2007. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Aug 15, 2008118,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THE KEY, THE KEY WOULD NOT GO BACK TO THE LOCK POSITION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 11, 2008107,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL2. WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HER BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 11, 2008100,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HER BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed May 12, 200812,300 milesHI

1 INCIDENT AND 1 CRASH. LEFT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON BY ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING AND WENT TO APPLY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, BUT HAD NO BRAKES. COULD NOT STOP..NO ACCIDENT FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. BUT 2ND TIME CAUSED MULTIPLE CAR ACCIDENT W/AN INJURY. AFTER I STOPPED DRIVING, THE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. I HAD MY BRAKES CHECKED BUT THEY DID NOT NEED REPLACED. *TR

Seats
Filed Mar 19, 2008MI

MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000, AND EVEN FALLS INTO THE "CARS AFFECTED" THAT IS LISTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SATURN SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR AND REFUSES TO FIX, DESPITE THE RECALL THAT IS ON YOUR WEBSITE. THEY TOLD ME IT DOESN'T SHOW UP IN THEIR COMPUTERS, AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN OLD PROBLEM AND CAR, THAT THEIR DATABASES DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE, FOR WHATEVER REASON. *TR

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Nov 28, 2007116,900 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE MAKING A SHARP U-TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FIXATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V138000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,900. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING AT THE END OF THE WORN GEAR FAILED. THE WORN GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING.

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed May 22, 2007CA

1995 SATURN MODEL SL CUSTOMER WANTS COPIES OF ALL RECALLS **CC (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*TR

Parking Brake
Filed Apr 15, 2007205,000 milesAZ

EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON BROKE; BUTTON EJECTED WHEN USING PARKING BRAKE, PREVENTING E-BRAKE FROM BEING USED. BUTTON AND SPRING ASSEMBLY CAME OUT, WITH BUTTON HAVING TWO SMALL PLASTIC CHIPS THAT WERE BROKEN, PREVENTING REASSEMBLY. THIS EFFECTIVELY PREVENTED THE VEHICLE'S STANDARD EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT (PARKING BRAKE) FROM BEING USED. NO REPLACEMENT BUTTON WAS AVAILABLE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 28, 200682,000 milesAR

LOUD ENGINE KNOCK. ENGINE CONSUMES OIL BUT NO LEAK. TOOK TO SATURN DEALER IN FAYETTEVILLE, AR AND TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. ENGINE HAS LESS THAN 85,000 MILES ON IT. TOLD THERE WAS A BULLETIN ABOUT THIS SOMETIME IN THE PAST. ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE AS RECOMMENDED BY SATURN. COST TO REPLACE ENGINE $2600. ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE ON BRINK OF FAILURE AT 83,000 MILES. *JB

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Jun 7, 2006246,000 milesMN

I WAS TURNING AROUND SLOWLY UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CLUNKING/SCRAPING TYPE NOISES STEERING WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I HAVE CALLED SATURN REGARDING RECALL 97V138000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A 1995 SL AND MY VIN NUMBER MISSES THE RECALL STATUS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REMEDIED SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS PARTICULAR RECALL/PROBLEM. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 18, 2006168,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE ELEVATED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE OIL AND ANTIFREEZE WERE MIXED TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A FRACTURED ENGINE HEAD. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE HEAD, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO AWAIT FURTHER INSPECTION.

Power Train › Manual Transmission › Floor Shift Assembly
Filed Apr 1, 2006172,171 milesTX

1995 SATURN SL2 MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING FAILURE WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PUSHED IN CLUTCH TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO FIRST GEAR AND HEARD A "POP". TRANSMISSION WENT INTO SOME GEAR (NOT FIRST), ENGINE STALLED AND GEAR SHIFT LEVER WAS LOOSE AND FLOPPY. COASTED AROUND CORNER AND PARKED NEXT TO CURB. REPAIR NOT YET MADE. DISASSEMBLED CENTER CONSOLE TO EXPOSE SHIFTER MECHANISM AND FOUND BUSHING ON LOWER SHIFT CABLE HAD FAILED AND WAS IN 3 PIECES. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP FOR AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF BUSHING AND WAS TOLD BUSHING WAS INTEGRAL TO CABLE AND ENTIRE CABLE MUST BE REPLACED. COST OF PARTS $197.10 PLUS TAX. WILL PROBABLY END UP DRILLING THROUGH THE BALL AND BOLTING THE CABLE TO THE SHIFT LEVER ALTHOUGH THIS MAY FATIGUE SHIFTER CABLE AND ULTIMATELY REQUIRE CABLE REPLACEMENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TRAFFIC INSTEAD OF A RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Feb 27, 2006150,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THERE WAS STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME LOOSE AND REPLACED THE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER.

Seats
Filed Jan 12, 200676,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER GEAR TEETH WORE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE SEAT TO PARTIALLY SLIP REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V307000 REGARDING THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 12, 2005AL

DT: 1995 SATURN SL1 4 DOOR. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES . HOWEVER, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, AND DEALERSHIP INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES, AND THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FRONT AIRBAGS . CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE POLICE REPORT DID NOT STATE ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. THE CONSUMER GAVE THE REPAIR INVOICE TO INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT COULD GET A COPY. THE ROAD THAT CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON WAS CLEAR. AFTER THE IMPACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. WAS ABOUT 24 INCHES AWAY FROM STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE BACK BUMPER ON THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 9, 200565,000 milesCA

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, USES 1 QT EVERY 500 MILES, NO LEAKS. SATURN SAYS THIS IS NORMAL! *NM

Seats
Filed Sep 9, 200596,224 milesFL

IN JAN 2003 I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND IF I HAD A PROBLEM I SHOULD GO TO A SATURN DEALER . LAST MONTH THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I WENT TO MY SATURN DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE SATURN WEB SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 SEDAN, WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN OCT. 1995, AND I PURCHASED IT USED IN AUGUST 2001. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER :AA 99V0450000 A A A A A DATED A A 1999-MAR-12. I WENT BACK TO THE SATURN DEALER IN TASMPA, FL. TODAY AND THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I STATED THE LETTER STATED 1994 AND 1995 VEHICLES AND I FEEL THAT MINE SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IS WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 1994. WE HAVE TO [PLACE A COOLER BEHIND THE SEAT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE OR IT WILL FALL BACK. THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN WE DO?

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)Crash
Filed Aug 24, 2005AZ

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RFECALL 94V170000. THE RECALL STATED THAT FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS HAPPENED TO CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID REPLACE THE PART BEFORE SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. SHE WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ACTUAL PART WHICH COST $1120, AND $286 FOR THE RENTAL CAR. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2005WI

THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CONSUME EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. THE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION (THAT WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE >1 QT EVERY 3000MI) SO I'M TOLD... I'M CONSUMING APPROXIMATELY 1 QT EVERY 250 MI OR MORE! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE ENGINE OF THE 1995 SATURN SL2 LINE? I HAVE BEEN LEAKING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE ALSO. *JB

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)
Filed Jan 11, 2005134,578 milesNC

I OWN A 95 SATURN SL,AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF STEERING GEAR BOX. THE PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR BOX IS THAT THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED, CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION,CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. WELL LAST NIGHT JANUARY 10,2005 MINE BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WELL TODAY JANUARY 11,2005 I CALLED THE SATURN PLACE AND AFTER THEY TRANSFEREE MY CALL ,THE MAN THAT I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR DID NOT MATCH THE ONES THAT WERE RECALLED. BUT HOW IS IT THAT THEY RECALLED THE EXACT CAR AS MINE AND MINE BROKE BUT THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ALL THE TIME TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AND OTHER NEIGHBOR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL EVERYDAY. I JUST THANK GOD THAT SHE WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHYWAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH ALL THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND NO WAY TO CONTROL THE STEERING.WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT MY WIFE ALMOST LANDED IN THE DITCH ACROSS THE STEET FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 200467,500 milesNY

HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING CAR INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY FROM PARK TO DRIVE. FINALLY, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK TO A CAR SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY CONNECTED TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THAT RESULTED IN A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 67,500 MILES. THE CAR IS A 1995 SATURN SL1. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 18, 2004CA

THE TEMPERATURE SENDER ON A SATURN 1995 DOHC ENGINE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES AS OF 106K MILES. THEY SOLD ME NEW SENDER AT DEALER, ONLY $20, BUT THEY CHANGED CONNECTOR, FOR NO GOOD REASON, SO THAT OLD CONNECTOR WON'T FIT, AND NEW CONNECTOR COSTS $30. I WONDER, DID SATURN AGREE TO SELL TEMP SENDERS CHEAP BECAUSE OF KNOWN DEFECTS, BUT THEN MAKE CONNECTOR DIFFERENT SO THEY CAN STILL NAIL YOU? *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 18, 2004100,800 milesNY

THERE WAS OIL IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. WHEN THE ENGINE WARMED UP IT WOULD LEAK FLUID IN THE DRIVEWAY. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CYLINDER CRACKED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 18, 200464,750 milesGA

OIL CHANGE AT SATURN DEALERSHIP ON 6/10/04. CAR DRIVEN ONLY EVERY 10 DAYS AFTERWARDS, THEN DRIVEN 400 MILES TO NORTH CAROLINA. WITH NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS, OIL WAS 3 QUARTS LOW. REFILLED OIL, DROVE 1 MILE, ENGINE BLEW WITH CONNECTING ROD THROUGH BLOCK. STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-95. ENGINE REPLACEMENT REQUIRED, SATURN ACKNOWLEDGED NO RESPONSIBILITY AS CAR NOT MAINTAINED IN THEIR SYSTEM. CAR HAD 64,000 MILES AND OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS. SUGGEST THAT SATURN HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN ENGINE BLOCK, LUBRICATION OR CONNECTING RODS. *JB

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 30, 2004TX

PROBLEMS WITH 1995 SATURN SL1. *MR SMOKE HAD COME FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CABLE HARNESS FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE THAT CONNECTED TO THE KEY/LOCK ASSEMBLY BURNED, THE BLACK WIRE HAD NO INSULATION WHICH BURNED OFF ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUNDING POINT AT THE FIREWALL, THE BLACK WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS AND ALSO BURNED OFF. (THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND SHORTED THE BATTERY AND THE BLACK WIRE/CHASSIS) *SC *JB

Electrical System › WiringFire
Filed May 11, 2004MO

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A GAS STATION. OPENED THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, CONSUMER NOTICED AN ORANGE GLARE FROM THE SUNROOF. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WERE NOT INSULATED. *LA

Steering › Rack and Pinion
Filed Apr 29, 2004106,042 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. *PH CONSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VECIDLE, BUT VEHICLE WASN'T WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *LA

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Apr 20, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT SLID BACKWARDS. THE SEAT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, AND LOCK SYSTEM FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

Child Seat
Filed Apr 15, 2004NV

WHILE REMOVING THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT FROM THE BASE THE HANDLE CAME APART FROM THE CSS, AND CONNECTING BRACKET DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY OF THE SEAT.*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 6, 2004AZ

THE OWNER STATES THAT,' THE GEARSHIFT CAN ENGAGE WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.' THIS CAUSED THE GEARSHIFT TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALER. *MR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 12, 2004100,000 milesNJ

CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING THEN A BANG NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE AT 30 MPH. THE NOISE WAS FOLLOWED BY SMOKE. THE CONSUMER THEN PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE WAS IN FLAMES. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THERE WAS KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE, AND DEALERSHIP REPLACED A CYLINDER BECAUSE IT WAS BAD.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 11, 200449,000 milesMI

THE CARIS A 1995 SATURN SL1 WAS BOUGHT IN OCT OF 2002 IT HAD ONLY 38,962 ACTUAL MILES ON IT, WHEN I SEEN THE OVERALL SHAPE OF THIS VEHICLE IT WAS AWESOME, THE LOW MILEAGE WAS THE ULTIMATE REASON FOR BUYING THE CAR ( SINCE ALL I HEARD WAS HOW GREAT THESE CARS RUN) FROM A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP IN THE AREA IT HAS A SOHC 4CYC. MOTOR,WITHIN 10K MILES OF DRIVING THIS CAR IT STARTED DRINKING OIL UNCONTROLABLY, NOW THE CAR HAS 84K ONIT AND EVERY MONTH IT NEEDS A FRESH SET OF PLUGS IN IT BECAUSE THE OIL CONSUMPTION THAT BLOWS PAST THE PISTONS FOULS OUT THE PLUGS.IN 1000 MILES OF DRIVING THIS CAR IT WILL CONSUME 3.5 QUARTS OF OIL,THE CAR HAS REGULAR OIL CHAGES AT EVERY 2000 MILES(ALONG WITH A CASE OF OIL IN THE TRUNK) NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR STILL LOOKS AWESOME...BUT LOVES THAT OIL.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 23, 2004CA

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 5, 2004NH

TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS FROM HIGH TO 3RD OR LOW. CAUSING HIGH RPM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SOMETIMES REQUIRES YOU TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO REGAIN NORMAL SHIFT SEQUENCE. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. SATURN SERVICE REPS SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM. NOT TRUE. NUMBER OF FAILURES BELOW REPRESENTS YEAR LONG PERIOD. *AK

Steering › Column
Filed Dec 29, 2003130,484 milesMO

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. CONSUMER COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY, BUT THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT TURN. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 18, 200355,600 milesCA

MY 1995 SL1 SATURN DEVELOPED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AT ALMOST NINE YEARS AND ONLY 55,000 MILES. SATURN ISSUED A LETTER DATED JUNE 1999 STATING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST (ONLY HAD 1 1/2 YEARS MORE TO GO). THE COST TO REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $2,400. SATURN KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND IGNORES ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Filed Dec 5, 2003NY

THIS IS THE SAME AS COMPLAINT #855328, HAVING TO DO WITH THE NEUTRAL/ PARK SWITCH ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION I ALSO CAN MOVE SHIFT LEVER WITH CAR OFF AND NO FOOT ON THE BREAK. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2003114,000 milesIN

1995 SATURN SL1 - CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW HEAD AND GASKET SET, OIL PUMP AND VARIOUS OTHER MISC. PARTS IN ORDER TO FIX THIS. SATURN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT CORRECTED IT-I AM A VERY UNHAPPY SATURN OWNER. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, I WAS HAPPY WITH THE CAR. *NLM

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Nov 28, 200397,000 milesIL

WINDOWS FOGGED UP ON THE INSIDE. THIS RESULTED IN POOR VISIBILITY. TSB 619868 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Nov 18, 200337,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SMOKED AND LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. A TECHNICIAN SERVICED THE VEHICLE, AND INDICATED THAT TRANSMISSION CASE CRACKED. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 3, 200396,000 milesWA

BELOW ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER I WROTE TO SATURN. THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF: PRESIDENT AND CEO SATURN CORPORATION ON JULY 5, 2000, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A LATE MODEL FORD MUSTANG WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN MY 1995 SATURN SL-1. WHEN I WAS HIT, MY DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR AND SPRAINED MY LOWER BACK. AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS, MY BACK IS STILL IN PAIN AND I AM UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY. A YEAR OR SO AGO, I SAW A TELEVISION NEWS REPORT THAT STATED SATURN WAS RECALLING ALL 1995 SL-SERIES SEDANS BECAUSE OF AN INHERENT FAULT IN THE DESIGN THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION. I CONTACTED SATURN OF BELLEVUE IN BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON AND AFTER TYPING MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INTO THEIR COMPUTER, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I ASKED IF MY CAR WAS SAFE, THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS. IT IS NOW PAINFULLY OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SAFE. I AM UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SATURN CORPORATION FOR TELLING ME IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR WITH AN INHERENT SAFETY DESIGN FAULT. I RECENTLY CALLED SATURN OF BELLEVUE TO GET AN ADDRESS WHERE I COULD WRITE TO YOU, AND DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATION, THE SALESMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT SEAT BACK FAILURE IN A REAR-END COLLISION WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS. I SUBSEQUENTLY SPOKE WITH TWO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS WHO ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON OCCURRENCE. AT THIS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 17, 2003FL

BRAKES PULSATE WHEN STOPPING AND ALSO CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE. BRAKES CAUSED CAR NOT TO STOP ON TIME WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH. I HAD JUST RECENTLY TAKEN THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP AND THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND I WAS NOT ADVISED ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKES. THEN JUST RECENTLY, WHEN I NOTICED MY CAR WAS EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STOPPING I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER BESIDES SATURN; I WAS TOLD THAT WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING AND ROTORS WERE WARPED AND CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED. BASICALLY, THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS GONE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE WITH THIS CAR. IN LOOKING AT PAST RECEIPTS FROM PREVIOUS OWNER, THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS COMPLAINED ABOUT AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED AT THE SAME SATURN DEALERSHIP. THE BRAKES HAVE ALSO BEEN REPAIRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AT OTHER AUTO MECHANIC DEALERS. *LA

Complaints 1-50 of 355, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2002131150Routine
2001111300Routine
2000148832Fatalities reported
1999178210Routine
1998168121Fatalities reported
1997227390Above average
1996287221Fatalities reported
1995 — this page355360High concern
1994286140High concern
1993175280Routine
1992123222Fatalities reported
199129111Fatalities reported

Compare every SL year →

1995 Saturn SL: questions buyers ask

Is the 1995 Saturn SL a good car?

Going by the federal record, it is one of the SL years to avoid: owners filed 355 complaints, 2.1 times as many as a typical SL year. The most common complaint is about the seats (18%).

What is the most common problem with the 1995 Saturn SL?

The seats: 63 of the 355 complaints (18%) are about it. The typical report comes at 100,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 1995 Saturn SL have?

3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Mar 12, 1999. The largest, 99V045000, covered 138,691 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 1995 Saturn SL problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 100,800 miles. For the seats the midpoint is 100,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 1995 Saturn SL?

Yes, 3 times. The latest, RQ00005 ("FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE"), was opened Feb 16, 2000 and closed Aug 19, 2000.

Are there service bulletins for the 1995 Saturn SL?

The manufacturer filed 3 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the engine (1) and the headlights (1). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 12, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.