Worst years for a Saturn SL
Owners have filed 2,891 complaints about the Saturn SL with NHTSA across model years 1991 to 2002. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.
Every Saturn SL year, graded
The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.
| Year | Grade | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Median miles | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | C | 154 | 24 | 5 | 60,000 | Electrical System |
| 2001 | C | 137 | 16 | 0 | 58,888 | Electrical System |
| 2000 | C | 202 | 12 | 6 | 60,000 | Engine & Cooling |
| 1999 | C | 232 | 35 | 1 | 76,000 | Engine & Cooling |
| 1998 | C | 222 | 26 | 2 | 66,000 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 1997 | C | 286 | 38 | 10 | 84,600 | Engine & Cooling |
| 1996 | D | 369 | 56 | 2 | 97,770 | Engine & Cooling |
| 1995 | D | 481 | 104 | 7 | 97,000 | Brakes |
| 1994 | D | 376 | 65 | 5 | 120,000 | Brakes |
| 1993 | C | 228 | 31 | 8 | 62,500 | Brakes |
| 1992 | — | 173 | 23 | 3 | 140,000 | Seat Belts |
| 1991 | — | 31 | 3 | 1 | — | Seat Belts |
What breaks on a Saturn SL
Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.
Exactly what failed on a Saturn SL
The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.
Complaints filed over time
Every complaint about every Saturn SL, by the month it reached NHTSA.
Saturn SL problems by state
Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.
Compare the Saturn SL
Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.