IllustrationTHE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
67 reportsMY 1995 SL1 SATURN DEVELOPED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AT ALMOST NINE YEARS AND ONLY 55,000 MILES. SATURN ISSUED A LETTER DATED JUNE 1999 STATING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST (ONLY HAD 1 1/2 YEARS MORE TO GO). THE COST TO REPAIR …
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MY 1995 SL1 SATURN DEVELOPED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AT ALMOST NINE YEARS AND ONLY 55,000 MILES. SATURN ISSUED A LETTER DATED JUNE 1999 STATING THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY WOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, WHICHEVER CAME FIRST (ONLY HAD 1 1/2 YEARS MORE TO GO). THE COST TO REPAIR WAS GOING TO BE $2,400. SATURN KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND IGNORES ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CONSUMER.*AK
1995 SATURN SL1 - CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW HEAD AND GASKET SET, OIL PUMP AND VARIOUS OTHER MISC. PARTS IN ORDER TO FIX THIS. SATURN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT CORRECTED IT-I AM A VERY UNHAPPY SATURN OWNER. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, I WAS HAPPY WITH THE CAR.…
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1995 SATURN SL1 - CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD CAUSING OIL TO LEAK INTO COOLING SYSTEM. I HAD TO PURCHASE NEW HEAD AND GASKET SET, OIL PUMP AND VARIOUS OTHER MISC. PARTS IN ORDER TO FIX THIS. SATURN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT CORRECTED IT-I AM A VERY UNHAPPY SATURN OWNER. UP UNTIL THIS POINT, I WAS HAPPY WITH THE CAR. *NLM
MY 1995 SATURN SL1 OVERHEATED IN NOVEMBER 2002 DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THERE WERE 56,686 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT SATURNS BUILT BETWEEN 1994 AND 1996 MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AND OFFERING COMPENSATION IF HIS OCCURS WITHIN 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, MY …
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MY 1995 SATURN SL1 OVERHEATED IN NOVEMBER 2002 DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD. THERE WERE 56,686 MILES ON THE CAR. WHILE THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM STATING THAT SATURNS BUILT BETWEEN 1994 AND 1996 MAY DEVELOP CRACKS AND OFFERING COMPENSATION IF HIS OCCURS WITHIN 6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES, MY CAR WAS OVER THE 6 YEARS THAT THE WARRANTY COVERED. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EXPERIENCE FOR SATURN OWNERS AND FEEL THAT A RECALL OF THE CYLINDER HEADS IS NECESSARY AND/OR THAT SATURN NEEDS TO COMPENSATE OWNERS BEYOND THE 6 YEAR LIMIT. *JB
IN JUNE OF 1999 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLES ENGINE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK AND THEY WOULD COVER THE VEHICLE FOR A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME OR MILEAGE. NOW THE TIME AND MILEAGE HAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH…
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IN JUNE OF 1999 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLES ENGINE MAY DEVELOP A CRACK AND THEY WOULD COVER THE VEHICLE FOR A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME OR MILEAGE. NOW THE TIME AND MILEAGE HAS EXPIRED AND THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. *NLM
THE VEHICLE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED TWICE. THE FIRST CYLINDER HEAD WAS REPLACED AT NO COST. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY FOR THE SECOND REPLACEMENT. PH *NLM
INTERNAL CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, ALLOWING OIL TO MIX WITH ENGINE COOLANT. OCCURRED AT 103,000 MILES AND 8 YEAR, SO NOT COVERED BY SATURN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THIS DEFECTIVE HEAD! SATURN SHOULD HAVE RECALLED AND REPLACED ALL OF THESE DEFECTIVE HEADS, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMERS. *JB
THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE OIL PAN AND OIL GASKET. *DT *JB
I PURCHASED A 1995 SATURN SEDAN SL1 WITH 32,000 MILE. AT 54,000 MILES, THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WATER AND OIL MIXING. I CONTACTED SATURN CORPORATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CAR. THEY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS OVER THE YEARS BUT UNDER THE MILES FOR THIS RECALL. I …
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I PURCHASED A 1995 SATURN SEDAN SL1 WITH 32,000 MILE. AT 54,000 MILES, THE CAR STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WATER AND OIL MIXING. I CONTACTED SATURN CORPORATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THE CAR. THEY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS OVER THE YEARS BUT UNDER THE MILES FOR THIS RECALL. I CONTACTED STEVE AT SATURN CORP. AND HE GAVE ME THIS CONFIRMATION NUMBER (1-2120506).
THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SMOKE EMMISION FROM THE TAIL PIPE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE BECASUE OF A DEFECTIVE RING ON A PISTON IN THE NO.1 CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY SEVERAL LOCAL MECHANICS BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ON SUCH A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. IT WAS ADVISED THAT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS THE ONLY REMED…
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THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SMOKE EMMISION FROM THE TAIL PIPE DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE BECASUE OF A DEFECTIVE RING ON A PISTON IN THE NO.1 CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY SEVERAL LOCAL MECHANICS BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE ON SUCH A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. IT WAS ADVISED THAT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS THE ONLY REMEDY. CONSUMER FEELS SATURN SHOULD RESOLE THIS AT NO COST TO CONSUMER. *JG
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