NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Engine
1827.3%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1116.7%
Rotor
1015.2%
Recliner
69.1%
Foundation Components
69.1%
Retractor
57.6%
Buckle Assembly
57.6%
12V/24V/48V Battery
57.6%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 10Aug 2008
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 Saturn SL
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA93016Opened 8 Jun 1993Closed 26 Jul 1994SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199310823,367 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a short circuit in the generator could cause excessive current flow in the generator wiring harness resulting in overheating and a possible engine compartment fire. Correction: Generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open, as a fuse would under these conditions, to eliminate the potential for an underhood fire.
Recall 199305553 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, the gear selector may indicate that the vehicle is in PARK or NEUTRAL, even though it could be in REVERSE or DRIVE. If this happens, the vehicle could start in REVERSE or DRIVE, or might move unexpectedly. Correction: Valve body assembly will be replaced. Note: all vehicles were repaired prior to final delivery.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 148,000 milesGold Beach, OR1 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE BROKE AT SHIFTER WHILE SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION ,MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO NO POWER AT WHEELS NEAR MISS OF BIG RIG. HAD TO DRIVE ON SIDEWALK-AND LAWN.
NHTSA complaint #10238598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesGold Beach, OR1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE BROKE AT SHIFTER WHILE SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION ,MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO NO POWER AT WHEELS NEAR MISS OF BIG RIG. HAD TO DRIVE ON SIDEWALK-AND LAWN.
NHTSA complaint #10238598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,900 milesHart, MICrash
STEERING
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE WERE IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THREE LANES AND THE CAR PULLED US ACROSS THE OTHER TWO LANES, DOWN A VERY STEEP DITCH AND INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT MANY SMALL TREES. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOR DID WE EVER TAMPER WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS GETTING THE BACK DOOR AND PANEL REPLACED AND THE BACK BUMPER ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL. NONETHELESS, MY WIFE AND I NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10177692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paramount, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1995 SATURN SL2, INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IN MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION. *BF PORTIONS OF THE AIR BAG FABRIC MELTED THE INTERNAL COMPONETS OF THE MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10115235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesIrvine, CACrash
SEATS
THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND COLLAPSED DURING A MINOR FENDER BENDER. *MR THE SEAT COLLAPSED. DUE TO POOR INADEQUATE WELDS.
NHTSA complaint #10081528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10066764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 148,000 milesGold Beach, OR1 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE BROKE AT SHIFTER WHILE SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION ,MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO NO POWER AT WHEELS NEAR MISS OF BIG RIG. HAD TO DRIVE ON SIDEWALK-AND LAWN.
NHTSA complaint #10238598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesGold Beach, OR1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE BROKE AT SHIFTER WHILE SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION ,MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO NO POWER AT WHEELS NEAR MISS OF BIG RIG. HAD TO DRIVE ON SIDEWALK-AND LAWN.
NHTSA complaint #10238598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,900 milesHart, MICrash
STEERING
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE WERE IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THREE LANES AND THE CAR PULLED US ACROSS THE OTHER TWO LANES, DOWN A VERY STEEP DITCH AND INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT MANY SMALL TREES. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOR DID WE EVER TAMPER WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS GETTING THE BACK DOOR AND PANEL REPLACED AND THE BACK BUMPER ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL. NONETHELESS, MY WIFE AND I NEARLY LOST OUR LIVES BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10177692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paramount, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1995 SATURN SL2, INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG IN MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION. *BF PORTIONS OF THE AIR BAG FABRIC MELTED THE INTERNAL COMPONETS OF THE MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10115235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesIrvine, CACrash
SEATS
THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND COLLAPSED DURING A MINOR FENDER BENDER. *MR THE SEAT COLLAPSED. DUE TO POOR INADEQUATE WELDS.
NHTSA complaint #10081528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10066764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesSandy, UT
SEATS
CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THE DRIVERSIDE SEAT BACK COLLASPED. THE BACK OF THE SEAT SLAMMED DOWN SO HARD THAT IF A PASSENGER WAS SITTING THERE THERE LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED. "POOR DESIGN", STATES CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10018147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesSandy, UT
SEATS
CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER DRIVER, THE VEHICLES DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ON TO THE REAR BENCH SEAT. CONSUMER IS VERY CONCERNED WITH REAR PASSENGERS BEING INJURED BY SEAT BACK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10018163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cinncanati, OHCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND WHEN THE SEAT RECLINED, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER.
NHTSA complaint #10017680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cinncanati, OHCrash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED HER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND WHEN THE SEAT RECLINED, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER.
NHTSA complaint #10017680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucker, GA
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8013208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Panama City, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
SHIFTER CABLE END FASTNER BROKE RENDERING SHIFTER INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #762689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED AND BUMPER IS 36 INCHES LONG AND SIDES HAVE NO BUMPER PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #9004709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
BRAKES FAILED AND BUMPER IS 36 INCHES LONG AND SIDES HAVE NO BUMPER PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #9004709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS IT BEING THE BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAM THAT IS WORN AND LEAKING. THE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CHECK VALVE GROMMET IS TORN. *JG
NHTSA complaint #8005863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS IT BEING THE BRAKE BOOSTER DIAPHRAM THAT IS WORN AND LEAKING. THE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE CHECK VALVE GROMMET IS TORN. *JG
NHTSA complaint #8005863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenbelt, MD
SEATS
FRAME OF DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS WAS A BREAK THROUGH THE STEEL U-CHANNEL ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT JUST BELOW WHERE IT IS WELDED TO THE TUBULAR STEEL TOP PIECE. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD NEVER FAIL EVEN UNDER THE STRESS OF A REAR END COLLISION LET ALONE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. DEFECT COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT AND IF IT OCCURED DURING A REAR END COLLISION AN UNECESSARY INJURY WOULD LIKELY HAVE RESULTED.
NHTSA complaint #758248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE IS NOT ABLE TO LOCK INTO BUCKLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK STITCHING ON SEAT BELT ON DRIVERS SIDE CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #897855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lanoka Harbour, NJ
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WILL ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY, IT GETS STUCK IN ANY POSITION.ALSO, SINCE JULY 2001 DRIVER'S SEAT BELT ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #897140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR GETS IN OPEN POSITION CLOSE TO WINDSHIELD. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AT THIS TIME, BUT WAS REPAIRED 1 YEAR AGO, COSTING $800. COMPUTER CONTROLS DOME LIGHTS/ CHIMES/ LOCKS AND SEAT BELT. SATURN HASN'T HEARD OF THIS BEFORE.
NHTSA complaint #896529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apache Junction, AZ
SEATS
WE MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO ARIZONA AT THAT TIME WE NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT-REPLACED HEAD GASKET NO NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN HEAD, VEHICLE NEVER OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LEFT FRONT SEAT IN A PERMANENT SLANT BACKWARD.
NHTSA complaint #750970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apache Junction, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WE MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO ARIZONA AT THAT TIME WE NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT-REPLACED HEAD GASKET NO NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN HEAD, VEHICLE NEVER OVER HEATED WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. LEFT FRONT SEAT IN A PERMANENT SLANT BACKWARD.
NHTSA complaint #750970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #749444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rutledge, TNCrashFire1 injured1 killed
AIR BAGS
RAN OFF ROAD AND HIT STUMP< BURST INTO FIRE WITHIN SECONDS>AIRBAG FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #748076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.