IllustrationWITH NO WARNING, CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT HAD FRACTURED.*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
Steering complaints
37 reportsWHILE DRIVING STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED FORM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROKE AND STOPPED TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS. ALSO, THE SIR COIL WAS BROKE. *YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, HEARD A CLUNK NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL FRACTURE IN THE STEERING BOX, THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAR HIT CURB. *AK
STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND SLIP RING BROKE . WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHECK VEHICLE ,AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 6-8 SECONDS, AND STEERING WHEEL BROKE. CONTACT TECHNICIAN, AND DEALER STATED IT JUST HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY…
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STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND SLIP RING BROKE . WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHECK VEHICLE ,AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 6-8 SECONDS, AND STEERING WHEEL BROKE. CONTACT TECHNICIAN, AND DEALER STATED IT JUST HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY AND ITS RELATED PARTS FAILED. NLM
CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT A SPACE AND NOTICED SOME RESISTENCE. WHEN STRAIGHTING WHEEL THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE PLAY THAN USUAL WITH STEERING. CONSUMER HAD A COUPLE OF MILES TO GET HOME, AND DECIDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AND WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER PURCHASED A STEERING…
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CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT A SPACE AND NOTICED SOME RESISTENCE. WHEN STRAIGHTING WHEEL THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE PLAY THAN USUAL WITH STEERING. CONSUMER HAD A COUPLE OF MILES TO GET HOME, AND DECIDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AND WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER PURCHASED A STEERING GEAR FROM DEALER TO CHANGE HIMSELF. RACK AND PINION PULLED OUT OF STEERING GEAR HOUSING.*AK
STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF FROM RACK PINION STEERING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
WHILE MAKING A TURN STEERING POPPED, AND STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THAT SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL 94V170000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7149 CONCERNING STEERING: MANUAL GEAR BOX FRACTURING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. MANUFACTURER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS AND REPLACED PART WA…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THAT SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL 94V170000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7149 CONCERNING STEERING: MANUAL GEAR BOX FRACTURING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. MANUFACTURER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS AND REPLACED PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, DEALER REPLACED THIS PART AT NO COST TO CONSUMER, BUT STILL STATED THE PART WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *JB
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