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: 5 of 123 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
18 crash reports2 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
123 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SENSOR AND BRAKE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS WHICH HAVE FALLEN OFF, AND CAUSING CABLES TO SHEAR OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES AND CONTROL. CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE REPAIRS DUE TO WRAPPED ROTORS AND PADS WEARING PREMATURELY, CONSUMER FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *T…
Read full complaint
ABS SENSOR AND BRAKE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS WHICH HAVE FALLEN OFF, AND CAUSING CABLES TO SHEAR OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES AND CONTROL. CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS BRAKE REPAIRS DUE TO WRAPPED ROTORS AND PADS WEARING PREMATURELY, CONSUMER FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #825571
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1998
Seats
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARD INTO THE REAR SEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #824895
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1998
Seat Belts
THE AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT TRACKS BROKE , CAUSING THE BELTS TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823451
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 1998
Wheels
LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #536308
Mileage unknown · May 28, 1998
WheelsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS EXITING ONTO A RAMP ABOUT 30-40 MPH WHEN A WHEEL CAME OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN AROUND AND BOUNCE OF A CONCRETE WALL. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823749
Mileage unknown · May 21, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
SERPENTINE BELT REPLACED DUE TO STIFF POWER STEERING.
NHTSA ODI #535222
Mileage unknown · May 11, 1998
Seat Belts
MOTORIZED SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #535740
Mileage unknown · May 11, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATED 3 TIMES CAUSING AIR DAM TO FALL OFF.
NHTSA ODI #535739
Mileage unknown · May 11, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT DISC BRAKE PULSATION/VIBRATION.
NHTSA ODI #535391
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 1998
Power Train
SHIFTER CABLE END FASTENER BROKE RENDERING SHIFTER INOPERABLE
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
THE TRANSAXLE VALVE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MACHINED. VEHICLES MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL, IT COULD BE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR COULD STARTIN REVERSE OR DRIVE, OR MIGHT MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH OR INJURY TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.
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
EA93016 · Fr Seatback Recliner Fails
Opened Jun 8, 1993 · Closed Jul 26, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
There is no summary currently available
PE93022 · Steering System Lockup
Opened Apr 5, 1993 · Closed Sep 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93004 · Seatback Failure
Opened Feb 5, 1993 · Closed Jun 8, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
1992 Saturn Sl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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