IllustrationTL*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.
1995 Saturn Sl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sl years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Saturn Sl are substantially higher than the model-year median of 171.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 40 of 355 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seats. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
75 crash reports6 fire reports46 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
27 reportsPROBLEMS 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 BLA…
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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
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 WER…
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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
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
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
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 …
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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
THE POORLY SCREWED TRANSMISSION FILTER CONTRIBUTED TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION.*YH
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH HEARD A RATTLE. AS CONSUMER WAS PULLING OVER, HEARD A THUMP. PISTON WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID HE SAW FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT SATURNS THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM WITHIN…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 60 MPH HEARD A RATTLE. AS CONSUMER WAS PULLING OVER, HEARD A THUMP. PISTON WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID HE SAW FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT SATURNS THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM WITHIN A MONTH. *AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. ALL ELECTRICAL DOORS LOCKED IN POSITIONS, OCCUPANT COULD NOT EXIT VEHICLE/DOORS COULD NOT BE MANUALLY OPENED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO OTHER PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ALL OF SUDDEN HEARD A BANG AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED OVER. BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONTACTED DEALER. ALTHOUGH EXACT CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED, FIRE DEPT BELIEVES THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL, AND MAINTENANCE RELATED. *AK *ML
Official recalls
399V045000 · Seats
Mar 12, 1999
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
94V217000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly:pedal/hand Lever(motorcycle)
Nov 8, 1994
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
94V170000 · Steering:gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion)
Sep 14, 1994
THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ00005 · Front Seat Back Can Recline Or Collapse
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Aug 19, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.
EA95003 · Cruise Control Failures
Opened Feb 24, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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 IDENTIFIED.IMPROVED QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES AND DESIGN MODIFICATIONSIN THE SYSTEM WERE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE A MORE CONSISTENT LEVEL OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.THE DETAILS OF THESE FINDINGS AND THE RESULTING CONCLUSIONS ARE CONTAINED INTHE SUBJECT ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AT EHIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE94079 · Cruise Control Failure
Opened Nov 7, 1994 · Closed Feb 24, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available