Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Saturn SL, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1995 Saturn SL - 314 complaints in its first 8 years (355 to date)
- 1994 Saturn SL - 257 complaints in its first 8 years (286 to date)
- 1996 Saturn SL - 257 complaints in its first 8 years (287 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2001 Saturn SL - 91 complaints in its first 8 years (111 to date)
- 2002 Saturn SL - 93 complaints in its first 8 years (131 to date)
- 1992 Saturn SL - 97 complaints in its first 8 years (123 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Saturn SL | 131 | 93 | 0 |
| 2001 Saturn SL | 111 | 91 | 2 |
| 2000 Saturn SL | 148 | 126 | 7 |
| 1999 Saturn SL | 178 | 157 | 1 |
| 1998 Saturn SL | 168 | 152 | 0 |
| 1997 Saturn SL | 227 | 203 | 2 |
| 1996 Saturn SL | 287 | 257 | 1 |
| 1995 Saturn SL | 355 | 314 | 3 |
| 1994 Saturn SL | 286 | 257 | 1 |
| 1993 Saturn SL | 175 | 150 | 2 |
| 1992 Saturn SL | 123 | 97 | 2 |
| 1991 Saturn SL | 29 | 18 | 1 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00V310000 | 2000-2001 | Power Train | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 00V309000 | 2000-2001 | Fuel System, Gasoline | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V297000 | 2000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V280000 | 1999-2000 | Seat Belts | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V231000 | 2000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V232000 | 2000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V230000 | 2000 | Unknown Or Other | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V045000 | 1994-1995 | Seats | 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... |
| 97V155000 | 1997 | Seats | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH SUSPECT COLD WELDS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN THE TUNNEL AREA OF THE FLOOR PAN. |
| 97V138000 | 1996-1997 | Steering | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL STEERING. THE PINION BEARING CAGE IN THE STEERING GEAR CAN SEPARATE UNDER HIGH STEERING SYSTEM LOAD CONDITIONS, SUCH... |
| 94V217000 | 1995 | Power Train | 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... |
| 94V170000 | 1995 | Steering | THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. |
| 93V132000 | 1991-1993 | Electrical System | THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR. |
| 93V094000 | 1993 | Electrical System | THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. |
| 92V098000 | 1992 | Power Train | THE TRANSAXLE VALVE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MACHINED. VEHICLES MAY NOT PROPERLY ENGAGE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL OR... |