DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS NOWHERE TO PULL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THERE WAS STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE ACCESSORY BELT HAD COME LOOSE AND REPLACED THE BELT AND BELT TENSIONER.
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.
What owners actually said
355 reportsDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER GEAR TEETH WORE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE SEAT TO PARTIALLY SLIP REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V307000 REGARDING THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER GEAR TEETH WORE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE SEAT TO PARTIALLY SLIP REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V307000 REGARDING THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06. *JB
DT: 1995 SATURN SL1 4 DOOR. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES . HOWEVER, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, AND DEALERSHIP INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS …
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DT: 1995 SATURN SL1 4 DOOR. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2005 . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER TOOK PICTURES . HOWEVER, HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER BECAUSE HE THOUGHT VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD, AND DEALERSHIP INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30-35 MPH, HIT THE BRAKES, AND THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS TWO FRONT AIRBAGS . CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AND WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE POLICE REPORT DID NOT STATE ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. THE CONSUMER GAVE THE REPAIR INVOICE TO INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT COULD GET A COPY. THE ROAD THAT CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON WAS CLEAR. AFTER THE IMPACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. WAS ABOUT 24 INCHES AWAY FROM STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE BACK BUMPER ON THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS.*AK
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, USES 1 QT EVERY 500 MILES, NO LEAKS. SATURN SAYS THIS IS NORMAL! *NM
IN JAN 2003 I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND IF I HAD A PROBLEM I SHOULD GO TO A SATURN DEALER . LAST MONTH THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I WENT TO MY SATURN DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE SATU…
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IN JAN 2003 I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND IF I HAD A PROBLEM I SHOULD GO TO A SATURN DEALER . LAST MONTH THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I WENT TO MY SATURN DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE SATURN WEB SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 SEDAN, WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN OCT. 1995, AND I PURCHASED IT USED IN AUGUST 2001. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER :AA 99V0450000 A A A A A DATED A A 1999-MAR-12. I WENT BACK TO THE SATURN DEALER IN TASMPA, FL. TODAY AND THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I STATED THE LETTER STATED 1994 AND 1995 VEHICLES AND I FEEL THAT MINE SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IS WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 1994. WE HAVE TO [PLACE A COOLER BEHIND THE SEAT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE OR IT WILL FALL BACK. THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN WE DO?
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…
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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
THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CONSUME EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. THE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION (THAT WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE >1 QT EVERY 3000MI) SO I'M TOLD... I'M CONSUMING APPROXIMATELY 1 QT EVERY 250 MI OR MORE! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE ENGINE OF THE 1995 SATURN SL2 LINE? I HAV…
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THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CONSUME EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES OF OIL BETWEEN CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. THE AVERAGE CONSUMPTION (THAT WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE >1 QT EVERY 3000MI) SO I'M TOLD... I'M CONSUMING APPROXIMATELY 1 QT EVERY 250 MI OR MORE! WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE ENGINE OF THE 1995 SATURN SL2 LINE? I HAVE BEEN LEAKING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE ALSO. *JB
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…
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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
HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING CAR INTO GEAR, ESPECIALLY FROM PARK TO DRIVE. FINALLY, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. TOOK TO A CAR SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY CONNECTED TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THAT RESULTED IN A BAD TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 67,500 MILES. THE CAR IS A 1995 SATURN SL1. *JB
THE TEMPERATURE SENDER ON A SATURN 1995 DOHC ENGINE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES AS OF 106K MILES. THEY SOLD ME NEW SENDER AT DEALER, ONLY $20, BUT THEY CHANGED CONNECTOR, FOR NO GOOD REASON, SO THAT OLD CONNECTOR WON'T FIT, AND NEW CONNECTOR COSTS $30. I WONDER, DID SATURN AGREE TO SELL TEMP SENDERS CHEAP BECAUSE OF KNOWN DEFECTS, BUT T…
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THE TEMPERATURE SENDER ON A SATURN 1995 DOHC ENGINE HAS FAILED 4 TIMES AS OF 106K MILES. THEY SOLD ME NEW SENDER AT DEALER, ONLY $20, BUT THEY CHANGED CONNECTOR, FOR NO GOOD REASON, SO THAT OLD CONNECTOR WON'T FIT, AND NEW CONNECTOR COSTS $30. I WONDER, DID SATURN AGREE TO SELL TEMP SENDERS CHEAP BECAUSE OF KNOWN DEFECTS, BUT THEN MAKE CONNECTOR DIFFERENT SO THEY CAN STILL NAIL YOU? *AK
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
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