1995 Saturn SL complaints

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK MAKES A RATCHET NOISE WHEN ADJUSTING SEAT, AND THE SEAT BACK RECLINES BACKWARDS IN A FAST PACE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED. *AK

1995 SATURN SL-2 SUNROOF FAILURE. TOOK IT INTO A SATURN, AND THEY QUOTED 776.00 TO REPLACE THE GUIDES AND STOP BUMBERS. THE RETAIL COST OF THE PARTS (I LOOKED IT UP) WAS 264.38. THEIR PRICE FOR PARTS WAS 398.00. THE REMAINING WAS LABOUR - 3.6 HOURS!**AK PREVIOUSLY, I TOOK THIS CAR TO A SATURN DEALER WHO QUOTED ME $360.00 TO REPLACE THE TEMP SENSOR -- A $12.00 PART. I TOOK IT TO PEP BOYS WHO REPLACED THE PART FOR 20.00. SATURN'S REPAIR DEPT'S PRICES ARE HIGHLY INFLATED

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM, WITH DRIVERS CHAIR BREAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM THE BACK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME AT THIS CALL. *AK

MY 1995 SATURN SL1 OVERHEATED IN NOVEMBER 2002 DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THERE WERE 56,686 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT SATURNS BUILT BETWEEN 1994 AND 1996 MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AND OFFERING COMPENSATION IF HIS OCCURS WITHIN 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, MY CAR WAS OVER THE 6 YEARS THAT THE WARRANTY COVERED. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE FOR SATURN OWNERS AND FEEL THAT A RECALL OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IS NECESSARY AND/OR THAT SATURN NEEDS TO COMPENSATE OWNERS BEYOND THE 6 YEAR LIMIT. *JB

IN JUNE OF 1999 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLES ENGINE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK AND THEY WOULD COVER THE VEHICLE FOR A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME OR MILEAGE. NOW THE TIME AND MILEAGE HAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. *NLM

THE VEHICLE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED TWICE. THE FIRST CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. PH *NLM

INTERNAL CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ALLOWING OIL TO MIX WITH ENGINE COOLANT. OCCURRED AT 103,000 MILES AND 8 YEAR, SO NOT COVERED BY SATURN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE HEAD! SATURN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACED ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE HEADS, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMERS. *JB

THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE OIL PAN AND OIL GASKET. *DT *JB

I PURCHASED A 1995 SATURN SEDAN SL1 WITH 32,000 MILE. AT 54,000 MILES, THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WATER AND OIL MIXING. I CONTACTED SATURN CORPORATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CAR. THEY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS OVER THE YEARS BUT UNDER THE MILES FOR THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED STEVE AT SATURN CORP. AND HE GAVE ME THIS CONFIRMATION NUMBER (1-2120506).

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE GEARS BROKE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. THIS OBSCURED THE DRIVER'S VISION. TS

WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER SIDE RECLINE BACKWARDS AND NEVER COME BACK TO ORIGINAL STATE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER. PH

THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING, AND CAUSED THE SIGNALS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. TS THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE MOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SWITCH, BUT SEIZED ONTO THE COLUMN. THE COLUMN WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. SCC

CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. SPECIFICALLY, THE MECHANICAL CONNECTION IN THE MANUAL GEAR BOX FAILED CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE WHEEL. TS

THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SMOKE EMMISION FROM THE TAIL PIPE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE BECASUE OF A DEFECTIVE RING ON A PISTON IN THE NO.1 CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY SEVERAL LOCAL MECHANICS BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ON SUCH A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. IT WAS ADVISED THAT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS THE ONLY REMEDY. CONSUMER FEELS SATURN SHOULD RESOLE THIS AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. *JG

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER 2.5 MILES THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE RACK AND PINION SNAPPED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM

WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF.HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. ENGINE CRACKED AND OIL LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. HAD PROBLEM FIXED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK *NLM

LOST TREAD ON 2 FRONT TIRES BUT TIRES DID NOT DEFLATE. CAR DAMAGE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BUMPER AND LOWER SIDE PANELS BEHIND FRONT TIRES. NLM

WITH NO WARNING, CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT HAD FRACTURED.*JB

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED FORM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROKE AND STOPPED TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS. ALSO, THE SIR COIL WAS BROKE. *YH

CRACKS IN BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS "ON THE INNER PAD CONTACT SURFACE" WERE DISCOVERED BY THE MECHANIC WHILE HAVING MY CAR SERVICED AT HIS STATION. MY BRAKES WERE NOT IN DISREPAIR AND AS FAR AS I CAN SEE THESE CRACKS DEVELOPED OVER "NORMAL" USE. I DO HAVE TO POINT OUT THAT MY EXAMINATION OF THESE ROTORS SHOW THAT THE INNER BRAKE PAD DISC ROTOR AREA HAS A MUCH SMALLER SURFACE AREA THAN THE OUTER BRAKE PAD ROTOR SURFACE AREA (WHICH HAD NO CRACKS) AND ALSO THE INNER ROTOR PAD SURFACE AREA IS ALSO LESS ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY HANDLE THE HEAT AND STRESS GENERATED BY BRAKING ACTION. IN MY OPINION, THE INNER PAD ROTOR AREA ON MY SATURN FRONT DISC BRAKES IS POORLY DESIGNED AND VERY PRONE TO CRACKING AND INDEED A SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE THESE CRACKS WERE IN "BOTH" MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, I WOULD NOT BE A BIT SURPRISED IF THERE WERE MANY MORE OUT THERE WITH THESE SAME CRACKS.*AK

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 35 MPH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT RECLINES WHENEVER FORCE OR WEIGHT IS APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH AT REST AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. TO DATE, THIS PROBLEM HAS HURT THE BACKS OF TWO PEOPLE (FOR THIS VEHICLE). THE PROBLEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE HAS CAUSED NO DEATHS, TO DATE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO SATURN OF HENDERSON AND REQUESTED THAT THE PROBLEM BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL ISSUED IN 1999. HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE SPECIFIED VIN NUMBERS OF SAID RECALL. I AM AWAITING SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FROM CORPORATE SATURN FOR THE DEALER TO FIX MY VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER SEATBACK KEEPS FALLING BACK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.*AK *YH

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN APRIL 1999 FOR RECALL 99V045000 REPAIRS. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL, AND REFUSED RECALL REPAIRS. ON JUNE 1, 2002 VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER 'S SEATBACK BROKE.*AK

NHTSA RECALL 99V045000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006; VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL WHEN IT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND. SEATBACK RECLINED BACKWARDS. THIS WILL BE SECOND INCCIDENT DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, HEARD A CLUNK NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL FRACTURE IN THE STEERING BOX, THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB

THE DRIVER SEATBACK FAILED AND FELL BACKWARD TO A FLAT POSITION AS I WAS STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD AT AN INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PROP THE SEAT IN POSITION SO THAT I COULD FINISH THE TRIP. I HAD THE SEAT BACK REPLACED AT A SATURN RETAILER. THE INCIDENT MADE ME DECIDE TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO MY INSURANCE WEB SITE TO REGISTER MY NEW CAR, A LINK CAME UP TO CHECK THE SAFETY PROBLEMS OF MY VEHICLE - THE 1995 SATURN. THE ONE RECALL MENTIONED WAS THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FALLING BACKWARD. I CONTACTED SATURN AND ASKED WHY I HADN'T RECEIVED A NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE WITH A PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SEAT BACK, IT WAS DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE. I WANT THE INFORMATION ON RECORD FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. *AK

THE DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS FOR OVER $400. IN MY OPINION, SEATS SHOULD NOT JUST BREAK UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT BROKE DURING A HIGH-SPEED COLLISION. ISN'T IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING AROUND WITH A COOLER IN THE BACK SEAT PROPPING UP MY SEATBACK?*AK

CAR WAS USING OIL, BUT WAS NOT LEAKING OR BURNING IT. CAR THEN STARTED OVERHEATING, AND I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE STATION I ALWAYS USE. WHEN CHANGING ANTI FREEZE FOR OVERHEATING PROBLEM, FOUND OIL IN THE ANTI- FREEZE. THIS LED TO ENGINE HEAD PROBLEMS. AND HEAD WAS SENT OUT TO BE REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED. DROVE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND IT STARTED USING ANTI- FREEZE AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN THE HEAD WAS PULLED OFF, IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN IT AND NOW I HAVE TO BUY A NEW HEAD. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT $1,800.00 SO FAR AND HOPE I DIN'T HAVE TO SPEND MORE. MY MECHANIS CALLED THE SATURN MECHANIC IN ALBANY N.Y. AND HE SAID THIS WAS COMMON WITH 1995 SATURN SL-1S. I ALSO LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH CONSUMERS OF THIS YEAR CAR. ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THE COMSUMERS OF THESE JUNK CARS ARE GETTING THE SHAFT FROM YOU PEOPLE, AND YOU SHOULD BE REINBERSING ALL OF US FOR THESE PROBLEMS THAT YOUR ENGINES ARE CAUSING. RIGHT?.*AK

WHILE AT A STOP CONSUMER WAS REARENDED AND THEN PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 3700.00. *AK

WHILE AT A STOP WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THEN, PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CONSUMER. SHE SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 3700.00. *AK

RECLINING MECHANISM FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED AND CAUSED THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO FALL INTO THE REAR SEATING ROW. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V045000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SAN FRANCISCO WHEN IT DIED SUDDENLY FOR 120K SERVICING. MECHANICS TOLD ME ENGINE CYLINDER PLUGS #2 & #3 WERE LOADED W/OIL DEPOSITS. RECOMMENDED REBUILDING OR REPLACING ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED CAR USING EXCESSIVE OIL. 10 MOS. EARLIER I TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SANTA MARIA FOR 100K SERVICING AND TOLD MECHANICS THAT ENGINE WAS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. MECHANICS DISMISSED THE PROBLEMS AS BEING NORMAL FOR OLDER SATURNS. EARLY MAINTENANCE COULD HAVE PREVENTED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH EVENTUALLY OCCURRED. POSSIBLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN ENGINES. I HAVE LETTER FROM OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM, AND SAME PROBLEM WITH MECHANICS AT SATURN OF SANTA MARIA.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE LOST ALL GEARS. DEALER DETERMINED LINKAGE BETWEEN SHIFTER AND CABLE TO CLUTCH HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE STARTING DRIVER SEATBACK RECLINERS BROKE AND FELL BACK. THERE IS RECALL99V450000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

ACTUAL PART A SMALL BUSHING CONNECTING THE SHIFTER (1-5) TO CLUTCH CABLE BROKE OFF WITH OUT ANY WARNING HAVING SPOKEN TO A NUMBER OF SATURN DEALERS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED SIMILAR RECALLS ON 1996 AND 97 MANY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT EVEN BEAWARE OF WHAT THE REAL PROBLEM WAS UNLESS THEY REMOVED THE CONSOLE LIKE I DID. SATURN CLAIMS IT IS THE SUPPLIERS FAULT AND THAT I HAVE TO AN ENTIRE TWO CABLE PACKAGED ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE CONNECTOR TOTAL COST $350-$400 DOLLARS I BELIEVE THE CONSUMER IS BEING PUT AT DELIBERATE RISK FOR THERE PROFITS.*AK

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, DRAMATIC SPEED REDUCTION AND HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION.

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES FOR APPROACHING STOP LIGHT PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT DEALER SHOP, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

THE POORLY SCREWED TRANSMISSION FILTER CONTRIBUTED TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION.*YH

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR OTHER REPAIR (ALTERNATOR FAILURE). DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED MOTOR MOUNT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION, AND MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AT INDICATED INTERVALS. THIS IS AN USUSUAL PART TO FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE AND UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. REVIEW OF USENET INTERNET NEWSGROUPS INDICATES THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS WIDESPREAD AND WELL-KNOWN TO DEALERS. APPARENT CAUSE IS INHERENT WEAKNESS IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, NOW SUPPLANTED BY A STRENGTHENED DESIGN IN THE REPLACEMENT PART - WITH NO ADMISSION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY MANUFACTURER FOR DESIGN FLAW IN THE ORIGINAL.*AK

RECALL 99V045000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006 9000; SEATBACK FALLS BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. RECLINER CAN HOLD SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER CAN'T REST BACK COMFORTABLY IN SEAT WITHOUT SEAT COLLAPSING. THE RECALL IN GENERAL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAR HIT CURB. *AK

STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND SLIP RING BROKE . WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHECK VEHICLE ,AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 6-8 SECONDS, AND STEERING WHEEL BROKE. CONTACT TECHNICIAN, AND DEALER STATED IT JUST HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY AND ITS RELATED PARTS FAILED. NLM

IN LOW IMPACT REAR-END COLLISION, THE SEAT BACK FAILED, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK (AND THE DRIVER) TO RECLINE ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK SEAT.*AK

SIDEWALL BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK (TIRESIZE: P175/70R14)

CAR HIT FROM THE REAR INTO A PICKUP WHILE BOTH WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GO BACK WARDS, INJURING HER NECK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SATURN WAS TOTALLED BEING HIT IN BOTH THE REAR AND THEN HITTING THE P/U IN IT'S REAR.*AK

VEHICLE STARTED TICKING/OVERHEATING, AND MAKING NOISE. VEHICLE STALLED. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK