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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

67 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DRIVNG, THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITHIN A (2) YEAR PERIOD. …

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WHILE DRIVNG, THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP, WHERE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY WERE REPLACED. OWNER STILL EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AGAIN. THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITHIN A (2) YEAR PERIOD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #817683

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

FRONT AIR FOIL DOES NOT HAVE CLEARANCE DURING THE PERIOD OF (JANUARY-FEBRUARY), SPRING LOADED HINGES ON THIS PIECE GAVE OUT AND THE AIR FOIL FELL AND DRAGGED ON THE GROUND, DEALER ADVISE IT TO REMOVE AIR FOIL AND RETURN IT BACK IN THE SPRING.

NHTSA ODI #522384

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

OWNER INDICATES THAT THE ENGINE STALLS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810303

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 1997
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingCrash

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS IN A FRONT END COLLISION. ALSO IGNITION/AIR CONDITIONING AND MUFFLER REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #515318

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST SYSTEM CORROSION.

NHTSA ODI #546704

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1996
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERVICE ENGINE SOON OR OIL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT RESTART, REMOVE ENGINE AND REPLACE NUMBER OF CYLINDER AND CYLINDER RINGS.

NHTSA ODI #511630

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

BAD VALVE SPRINGS AND BENT CONNECTING ROD.

NHTSA ODI #482603

Official recalls

3

99V045000 · 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

3

RQ00005 · 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