IllustrationVEHICLE HAS BEEN USING A LOT OF OIL IN LAST YEAR AND A HALF. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER COULD SMELL OIL BURNING. SATURN TOLD CONSUMER THAT WAS BECAUSE SHE DID NOT CHANGE OIL EVERY 3000 MILES, BUT WAITED UNTIL 3200 MILES.*AK
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
What owners actually said
355 reportsVEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR. *SLC
CASTING OF CYLINDER HEAD WAS CRACKED. THIS CAUSED ENGINE TO STALL OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT PROBLEM WAS A FACTORY DEFECT IN CASTING OF CYLINDER HEAD. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THAT SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL 94V170000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7149 CONCERNING STEERING: MANUAL GEAR BOX FRACTURING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. MANUFACTURER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS AND REPLACED PART WA…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THAT SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL 94V170000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7149 CONCERNING STEERING: MANUAL GEAR BOX FRACTURING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. MANUFACTURER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS AND REPLACED PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, DEALER REPLACED THIS PART AT NO COST TO CONSUMER, BUT STILL STATED THE PART WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *JB
SEATBACK RECLINER FALLS BACK WHEN HE GETS INTO VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED SATURN, AND HIS VEHICLE WAS OUT WARRANTY. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUEMR HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, CUSTOMER IS UPSET DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER 100000 MILES WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER SATURNS SPECIAL POLICY REGARDING AN EXTRA COVERAGE FOR 6 YEARS OR 100000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR COND…
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WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUEMR HEARD A CLANKING NOISE WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, CUSTOMER IS UPSET DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER 100000 MILES WHICH WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER SATURNS SPECIAL POLICY REGARDING AN EXTRA COVERAGE FOR 6 YEARS OR 100000 MILES. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS A DEGRADABLE O-RING CONNECTION WHICH CAUSES MASSIVE FREON LEAKS. *SLC
PLEASE SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000. I CONTACTED ROBERT HALL AT SATURN MOTORS IN MARCH 2000. HE STATED THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1984 AND THE REFERENCED RECALL WAS FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1/94 AND 8/94 THEY (SATURN) WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE. HIS CONTENTION IS THAT THE SEATBACK RECLINER T…
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PLEASE SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000. I CONTACTED ROBERT HALL AT SATURN MOTORS IN MARCH 2000. HE STATED THAT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 1984 AND THE REFERENCED RECALL WAS FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1/94 AND 8/94 THEY (SATURN) WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE. HIS CONTENTION IS THAT THE SEATBACK RECLINER TEETH ARE A "WEAR PART" AND ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR OUT IN 5 YEARS. I STRONGLY DISAGREE. I CONTEND THAT THE ORIGINAL RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL 1995 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES WHICH SUFFER THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT AS DESCRIBED IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL.*AK
THERE IS A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V045000 THAT COVERS 1995 SATURN SL2 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JAN 1994 TO AUG 1994 THAT HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. SHOULD THIS BE PART OF THE CAMPAIGN? I LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE CONTACT WITH YOU.*AK
VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH LAP BELT WITH BROKEN STOP. SON-IN-LAWS SATURN SL1 HAS SAME PROBLEM.HIGH PROBABILTY MOST SATURNS HAVE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN I GOT REARENDED AND MY SEAT FLEW BACK AND CAUSED ME BACK, NECK AND ARM INJURY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DOCTOR THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NEARLY AS INJURED IF THE SEAT HAD HELD LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. THE CAR HAD VERY LITTLE DAMAGE ON THE BUMPERS. (I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, ALSO). I READ IN THE NE…
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I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN I GOT REARENDED AND MY SEAT FLEW BACK AND CAUSED ME BACK, NECK AND ARM INJURY. I WAS TOLD BY THE DOCTOR THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NEARLY AS INJURED IF THE SEAT HAD HELD LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE. THE CAR HAD VERY LITTLE DAMAGE ON THE BUMPERS. (I WAS THROWN INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, ALSO). I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER TODAY (9-23-00) THAT SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT LAST YEAR! WHY WASN'T IT RECALLED THEN?! I'VE BEEN GOING TO THE DOCTOR EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND IT'S BEEN QUITE A PAIN AND INCONVENIENCE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUT THROUGH THIS! *AK
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