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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 →

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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75,000 miles · Sep 16, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF.HAD VEHICLE SERVICED. ENGINE CRACKED AND OIL LEAKED INTO RADIATOR. HAD PROBLEM FIXED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM REOCCURRED.*AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8018664

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR WAS USING OIL, BUT WAS NOT LEAKING OR BURNING IT. CAR THEN STARTED OVERHEATING, AND I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE STATION I ALWAYS USE. WHEN CHANGING ANTI FREEZE FOR OVERHEATING PROBLEM, FOUND OIL IN THE ANTI- FREEZE. THIS LED TO ENGINE HEAD PROBLEMS. AND HEAD WAS SENT OUT TO BE REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED. DROVE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEE…

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CAR WAS USING OIL, BUT WAS NOT LEAKING OR BURNING IT. CAR THEN STARTED OVERHEATING, AND I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE STATION I ALWAYS USE. WHEN CHANGING ANTI FREEZE FOR OVERHEATING PROBLEM, FOUND OIL IN THE ANTI- FREEZE. THIS LED TO ENGINE HEAD PROBLEMS. AND HEAD WAS SENT OUT TO BE REPAIRED AND REINSTALLED. DROVE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND IT STARTED USING ANTI- FREEZE AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN THE HEAD WAS PULLED OFF, IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN IT AND NOW I HAVE TO BUY A NEW HEAD. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT $1,800.00 SO FAR AND HOPE I DIN'T HAVE TO SPEND MORE. MY MECHANIS CALLED THE SATURN MECHANIC IN ALBANY N.Y. AND HE SAID THIS WAS COMMON WITH 1995 SATURN SL-1S. I ALSO LOOKED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT TO BE A BIG PROBLEM WITH CONSUMERS OF THIS YEAR CAR. ARE YOU PEOPLE GOING TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THE COMSUMERS OF THESE JUNK CARS ARE GETTING THE SHAFT FROM YOU PEOPLE, AND YOU SHOULD BE REINBERSING ALL OF US FOR THESE PROBLEMS THAT YOUR ENGINES ARE CAUSING. RIGHT?.*AK

NHTSA ODI #758688

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SAN FRANCISCO WHEN IT DIED SUDDENLY FOR 120K SERVICING. MECHANICS TOLD ME ENGINE CYLINDER PLUGS #2 & #3 WERE LOADED W/OIL DEPOSITS. RECOMMENDED REBUILDING OR REPLACING ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED CAR USING EXCESSIVE OIL. 10 MOS. EARLIER I TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SANTA MARIA FOR 100K SERVICI…

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TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SAN FRANCISCO WHEN IT DIED SUDDENLY FOR 120K SERVICING. MECHANICS TOLD ME ENGINE CYLINDER PLUGS #2 & #3 WERE LOADED W/OIL DEPOSITS. RECOMMENDED REBUILDING OR REPLACING ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED CAR USING EXCESSIVE OIL. 10 MOS. EARLIER I TOOK CAR TO SATURN OF SANTA MARIA FOR 100K SERVICING AND TOLD MECHANICS THAT ENGINE WAS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. MECHANICS DISMISSED THE PROBLEMS AS BEING NORMAL FOR OLDER SATURNS. EARLY MAINTENANCE COULD HAVE PREVENTED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH EVENTUALLY OCCURRED. POSSIBLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURN ENGINES. I HAVE LETTER FROM OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ENGINE FAILURE PROBLEM, AND SAME PROBLEM WITH MECHANICS AT SATURN OF SANTA MARIA.*AK

NHTSA ODI #755658

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE POORLY SCREWED TRANSMISSION FILTER CONTRIBUTED TO PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION.*YH

NHTSA ODI #785591

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR OTHER REPAIR (ALTERNATOR FAILURE). DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED MOTOR MOUNT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION, AND MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AT INDICATED INTERVALS. THIS IS AN USUSUAL PART TO F…

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VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR OTHER REPAIR (ALTERNATOR FAILURE). DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED A CRACKED MOTOR MOUNT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED OR INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF COLLISION, AND MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED AT INDICATED INTERVALS. THIS IS AN USUSUAL PART TO FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE AND UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. REVIEW OF USENET INTERNET NEWSGROUPS INDICATES THAT PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS WIDESPREAD AND WELL-KNOWN TO DEALERS. APPARENT CAUSE IS INHERENT WEAKNESS IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, NOW SUPPLANTED BY A STRENGTHENED DESIGN IN THE REPLACEMENT PART - WITH NO ADMISSION OF RESPONSIBILITY BY MANUFACTURER FOR DESIGN FLAW IN THE ORIGINAL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752133

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STARTED TICKING/OVERHEATING, AND MAKING NOISE. VEHICLE STALLED. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #891162

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 · 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

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

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