← 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

Steering complaints

37 reports
Clear category filter
103,000 miles · Aug 15, 2012
Steering

AFTER A POP NOISE DURING NEGOTIATING A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY APPEARED TILTED EVEN WHILE GOING STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS STEERED WITH INCREASED LOSS OF CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MOVED TO CURB. STEERING WAS UNUSABLE THEREAFTER AND CAR WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470830

116,900 miles · Nov 28, 2007
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE MAKING A SHARP U-TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FIXATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE MAKING A SHARP U-TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FIXATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V138000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,900. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING AT THE END OF THE WORN GEAR FAILED. THE WORN GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #10210198

246,000 miles · Jun 7, 2006
Steering

I WAS TURNING AROUND SLOWLY UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CLUNKING/SCRAPING TYPE NOISES STEERING WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I HAVE CALLED SATURN REGARDING RECALL 97V138000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A 1995 SL AND MY VIN NUMBER MISSES THE RECALL STATUS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REMEDIED SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY VEHICL…

Read full complaint

I WAS TURNING AROUND SLOWLY UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CLUNKING/SCRAPING TYPE NOISES STEERING WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I HAVE CALLED SATURN REGARDING RECALL 97V138000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A 1995 SL AND MY VIN NUMBER MISSES THE RECALL STATUS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REMEDIED SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS PARTICULAR RECALL/PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159257

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2005
SteeringCrash

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RFECALL 94V170000. THE RECALL STATED THAT FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS HAPPENED TO CON…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RFECALL 94V170000. THE RECALL STATED THAT FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS HAPPENED TO CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID REPLACE THE PART BEFORE SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. SHE WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ACTUAL PART WHICH COST $1120, AND $286 FOR THE RENTAL CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10134109

134,578 miles · Jan 11, 2005
Steering

I OWN A 95 SATURN SL,AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF STEERING GEAR BOX. THE PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR BOX IS THAT THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED, CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION,CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. WELL LAST NIGHT JANUARY 10,2005 MINE BROKE FOR NO APPA…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 95 SATURN SL,AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF STEERING GEAR BOX. THE PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR BOX IS THAT THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED, CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION,CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. WELL LAST NIGHT JANUARY 10,2005 MINE BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WELL TODAY JANUARY 11,2005 I CALLED THE SATURN PLACE AND AFTER THEY TRANSFEREE MY CALL ,THE MAN THAT I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR DID NOT MATCH THE ONES THAT WERE RECALLED. BUT HOW IS IT THAT THEY RECALLED THE EXACT CAR AS MINE AND MINE BROKE BUT THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ALL THE TIME TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AND OTHER NEIGHBOR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL EVERYDAY. I JUST THANK GOD THAT SHE WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHYWAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH ALL THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND NO WAY TO CONTROL THE STEERING.WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT MY WIFE ALMOST LANDED IN THE DITCH ACROSS THE STEET FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106124

106,042 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Steering

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. *PH CONSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VECIDLE, BUT VEHICLE WASN'T WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL DUE TO …

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. *PH CONSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VECIDLE, BUT VEHICLE WASN'T WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047770

130,484 miles · Dec 29, 2003
Steering

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. CONSUMER COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY, BUT THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT TURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10052026

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2002
Steering

CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. SPECIFICALLY, THE MECHANICAL CONNECTION IN THE MANUAL GEAR BOX FAILED CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE WHEEL. TS

NHTSA ODI #8024114

110,000 miles · Nov 25, 2002
Steering

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER 2.5 MILES THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8023309

58,226 miles · Oct 24, 2002
Steering

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE RACK AND PINION SNAPPED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI #8021530

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