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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.

About this comparison →
355Owner complaints

Model-year median: 171.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

3Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
123
1992175
1993286
1994355
1995287
1996227
1997168
1998
Compare all Sl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seats
69Engine And Engine Cooling
67Service Brakes, Hydraulic
51Power Train
40Steering
37
All reported categories
Air Bags
31Electrical System
27Vehicle Speed Control
24Visibility
16Tires
12Seat Belts
11Structure
8Equipment
6Fuel System, Gasoline
6Suspension
6Unknown Or Other
5Parking Brake
4Exterior Lighting
3Latches/locks/linkages
3Service Brakes, Air
3Child Seat
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Interior Lighting
1Wheels
1

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

What owners actually said

355 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

LOSS OF MOTOR OIL IN ENGINE, NO SIGN OF LEAKAGES. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A ROD FAILURE. SEEKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MA…

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LOSS OF MOTOR OIL IN ENGINE, NO SIGN OF LEAKAGES. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A ROD FAILURE. SEEKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #889924

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION DROPS INTO SECOND GEAR FROM BOTH THIRD AND HIGH AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING HIGH ENGINE RPMS AND RAPID SPEED REDUCTION AND HANDLING DIFFICULTIES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENS ON CURVES. SERVICE NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT COULD NOT FIND CAUSE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #746235

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH VEHICLE START JERKING. THEN ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY STALL. SOMETIMES ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #889007

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2001
Steering

CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT A SPACE AND NOTICED SOME RESISTENCE. WHEN STRAIGHTING WHEEL THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE PLAY THAN USUAL WITH STEERING. CONSUMER HAD A COUPLE OF MILES TO GET HOME, AND DECIDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AND WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER PURCHASED A STEERING…

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CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT A SPACE AND NOTICED SOME RESISTENCE. WHEN STRAIGHTING WHEEL THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE PLAY THAN USUAL WITH STEERING. CONSUMER HAD A COUPLE OF MILES TO GET HOME, AND DECIDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AND WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER PURCHASED A STEERING GEAR FROM DEALER TO CHANGE HIMSELF. RACK AND PINION PULLED OUT OF STEERING GEAR HOUSING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #887562

45,000 miles · Apr 21, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts

THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT…

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THE VEHICLE HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, IT EATS OIL WITHOUT ANY SIGN OF WHERE IT IS GOING. THE AUTO BELT TIGHTENER IS NOT WORKING AND COST AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX. SUNROOF BROKE WITHOUT ANY NOTICE OR CAUSE, THE FAN SWITCH NEVER DID OPERATE CORRECTLY, NOW IT IS SHIFTING REAL HARD ALL THE TIME WHILE YOUR DRIVING, ONCE IT IS WARMED UP. THIS VEHICLE IS DEFINITELY A LEMON. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****744336

NHTSA ODI #10006456

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE EXCESSIVLEY BURNS OIL. HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK.

NHTSA ODI #882957

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH CONSUMER WENT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN HOOD FLEW UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #882068

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2001
Power Train

I AM NOT THE OWENER OF THIS CAR-BUT WENT TO PURCHASE IT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL SELLING THIS CAR. CAR'S ODOMETER READ(ON FEB. 20, 01) ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON IT AND OWNER SAID IT WAS NEITHER REPLACED OR BROKEN. HOWEVER IN 1999 THE CAR WAS QUOTED BY CARFAX.COM THAT THE MILEAGE WAS LOGGED AT OVER 69,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #741896

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS CAR HAS CONSTANTLY HAD PROBLEMS SINCE THE TIMING CHAIN WENT AT 15,000 MILES. I'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING ENGINE FAILURES ON 1995 SATURNS. THAT IS THE ONLY YEAR THEY MANUFACTURED THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE AND AM INTERESTED TO KNOW WHY, SINCE I COMING ACROSS LARGE AMOUNTS OF ENGINE COMPLAINTS FOR THIS YEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741803

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR OVERHEATED AFTER A WEEK OF PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLANT FUILD. AT TIME OF FAILURE, OIL WAS FOUND MIXED WITH THE COOLAN FLUID, AND COOLANT FLUID WAS IN THE ENGINE. A CRACKED CYLANDER HAS SINCE BEEN FOUND. CAR HAS BURNED OIL FOR 4 OF THE 6 YEARS. MECHANIC HAS DOCUMENTATION OF IDENTICAL FAILURES ON 2 OTHER 1995 SATURNS.

NHTSA ODI #741801

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