← New search

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

Power Train complaints

40 reports
Clear category filter
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…

Read full complaint

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 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 · Feb 19, 2001
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION INTERNITTENTLY FAILS TO UPSHIFT. THE SPEED AT WHICH THIS OCCURS IS TYPICALLY 25-35 MPH. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO SATURN OF STERLING (46980 HARRY BYRD HWY, STERLING, VA 20164, 703-450-8500) 6 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY FAILED TO FIND ANY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #741133

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Power Train

VEHICLE SLIPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #785134

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2000
Power Train

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE AND LOST POWER. PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO FIND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND PARTS OF THE HOUSING ON THE HIGHWAY.ALSO FOUND VARIOUS OTHER TRANSMISION PARTS FARTHER UP THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #718740

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Power Train

DRIVER IS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IN ANY POSITON WITHOUT APPLYING THE BRAKES WITH OR WITHOUT THE IGNITIN BEING ON. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855328

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 1999
Power TrainVisibility

THE REAR DEFROSTER FAILED CAUSING, WINDOWS TO FROST.

NHTSA ODI #605603

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO SATURN THEY TOLD US THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH 3RD GEAR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1600. TO FIX. WE WENT FOR A SECOND OPINION AT THE HEMET CA. AAMCO. THEY VEIFIED THE PROBLEM AND "REPAIRED" IT FOR $1000. AT THE TIME IT SATIFIED US AS SATURN TOLD US IT WOULD BE $1…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. WHEN WE TOOK IT TO SATURN THEY TOLD US THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH 3RD GEAR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1600. TO FIX. WE WENT FOR A SECOND OPINION AT THE HEMET CA. AAMCO. THEY VEIFIED THE PROBLEM AND "REPAIRED" IT FOR $1000. AT THE TIME IT SATIFIED US AS SATURN TOLD US IT WOULD BE $1600. JUST TO LOOK AND MORE IF THE PROBLEM WAS BIG. UNFORTUNATELY THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN TO SLIP AGAIN. WE HAVEN'T CALLED AAMCO YET. WE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU TO SEE IF THIS IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN VEHICLE! WE GOT THE IMPRESSION FROM THE AAMCO PEOPLE THAT THIS WASN'T AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD RUN UP AGAINST. I AM SOMEWHAT DISATISFIED WITH THE SATURN CAR AND PEOPLE AS WE'VE HAD TO DO A LOT MORE WORK ON THE CAR THAN EXPECTED AND DEFINATELY MORE THAN THEY LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE IN THEIR ADVERTISING. SHAME ON ME FOR BELEIVING THEM! WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 3 TIMES WITH NO EXPLANATION, REPLACE A MOTOR MOUNT, AND REPLACE A BELT TENSIONER. AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE MILES IT IS NOT HEAVILY USED. PLEASE SEND ANY INFO YOU CAN. THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #711878

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1999
Power Train

THE CONSUMER STATED HER CAR WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE .

NHTSA ODI #844373

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, IT'S BEEN TOWED THREE TIMES. IT OVERHEATED, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AND THEN THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #706513

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