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1994 problems

FaultScore report

1994 Saturn SL problems

Owners have filed 376 complaints about the 1994 Saturn SL with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 10 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Saturn SL All 1994 cars

FaultScore 67/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Saturn SL.

How this is worked out

The numbers

376

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

120,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 70: Against the median year of the Saturn SL. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100: 29.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 10: 6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1994 compares with every other Saturn SL

Click any bar to open that year's report.

31 173 228 376 481 369 286 222 232 202 137 154

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1994 Saturn SL

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 52 13.8%

10 crashes, 2 fires

Engine & Cooling 50 13.3%

Seats 49 13.0%

21 crashes, 0 fires · median 144,500 mi

Seat Belts 49 13.0%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,932 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 37 9.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 86,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 36 9.6%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,115 mi

Electrical System 25 6.6%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 59,994 mi

Airbags 20 5.3%

19 crashes, 0 fires · median 162,700 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 15 4.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Steering 11 2.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Tires 6 1.6%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 180,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 5 1.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 5 1.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 4 1.1%

Lights 4 1.1%

Child Seats 3 0.8%

Median failure at 223,000 miles

Body & Structure 3 0.8%

Suspension 2 0.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Exactly what failed

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.

Recliner 29 20.6%

Engine 29 20.6%

Frontal 18 12.8%

Automatic Transmission 18 12.8%

Rotor 14 9.9%

Retractor 13 9.2%

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 7.8%

Foundation Components 9 6.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 5.9%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 11.8%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 5.9%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 41.2%

150,000+ miles 6 35.3%

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 1995 peak 18 Jun 2016

NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.

RQ00005 Opened 16 Feb 2000 Closed 19 Aug 2000 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE

EA98017 Opened 31 Jul 1998 Closed 16 Mar 1999 SEATS

SEAT BACK FAILURES

IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 5, 1999, GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL 136,300 MODEL YEAR 1994 AND 1995 SATURN VEHICLE (ALL MODELS) BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1994 AND AUGUST 1994.DURING THIS PERIOD, SATURN'S SEAT SUPPLIER MANUFACTURED RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WHICH WERE OUT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATION, ALLOWING THE FRONT SEAT BACKS TO RECLINE OR COLLAPSE INADVERTENTLY.TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SATURN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK RECLINER ASSEMBLIES.SEE NHTSA'S SAFETY RECALL FILL 99V-045 FOR DETAILS.

EA95003 Opened 24 Feb 1995 Closed 31 May 1996 EQUIPMENT

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES

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.IMPRO...

PE94079 Opened 7 Nov 1994 Closed 24 Feb 1995 EQUIPMENT

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE

Recalls on the 1994 Saturn SL

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 1999040 16 Mar 1999 11,260 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and cause the seat to slip partially rearward when force is applied. If left unrepaired, the wear will continue and may result in the seat back fully reclining when force is applied. If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control and a crash. Correction: Both the driver and front passenger seat back recliner mechanisms will be replaced.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 30 Jun 2011 at 180,000 miles Kaysville, UT Crash

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SATURN SL. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH BIG O BIG O ASPEN TIRES (205/70/R14 DOT U9T9 TX30103). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 241,000.

NHTSA complaint #10410032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Apr 2004 at 155,000 miles Roeland Park, KS Crash

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

WHILE SLOWING FOR A STOP LIGHT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS SLAMMED FORWARD THEN BACKWARDS INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE ONTO THE REAR SEAT. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #10066677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Jan 2004 Temple, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A SPEED OF 50-55 M.P.H.

NHTSA complaint #10054964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Jan 2004 Unknown, DC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

EMAIL FWD FM FHWA INQUIRING HOW TO HAVE A 1994 SATURN SL2 INSPECTED TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, HER DAUGHTER WAS INJURIED.*MR *CB

NHTSA complaint #10053422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Aug 2003 Ashland, OR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10034084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Jun 2003 Cleveland Hts., OH Crash 2 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER SEAT LATCH BROKE WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE. IN THE LOWERED POSITION MY WIFE,WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT,WAS FORCED FORWARD BY THE IMPACT RESULTING IN A HEAD INJURY ON THE HEADREST EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER SEAT BELT FASTEN. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 26 Jun 2016 LOS Angeles, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FBI WAS MY FIRST CHOICE. THE CAR OVERHEATS FROM A COLD START AFTER I JUST FILLED UP THE COOLANT AND DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW FEET IN 2 MINUTES FROM START. THE COOLANT WAS ALREADY OVERFLOWING. I NOTICED SOMETHING WAS EATING THE BATTERY LOAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME MAKING THE CAR LOSE POWER WHEN I CHECKED THE READING ON THE CARS INSTALLED VOLTMETER. THIS AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT A MILE. THIS EXTREME HOT TEMPRETURE CAUSES THE COOLANT TO BOIL AND OVERFLOW EVEN IF I AID IT WITH A REWIRED RADIATOR FAN ON I HAVE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND THE WATERPUMP A COUPLE OF TIMES. PLEASE HELP CAPTAIN AMERICA. THE RECEIPT FROM THE ATTACHED FILE IS THE LATEST.THIS CAR IS POSSESSED.

NHTSA complaint #10876661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Jun 2016 LOS Angeles, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA complaint #10876661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Jun 2016 LOS Angeles, CA

ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #10876661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jul 2013 at 86,000 miles Pleasant Grove, UT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR WILL TURN ITSELF OFF WHILE ENGAGED, AND, IF LEFT ALONE, WILL RANDOMLY REENGAGE TEN OR FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER WITH NO WARNING. THIS CAN CAUSE A SURGE OF ACCELERATION (AS MUCH AS ONE CAN EXPECT FROM A SATURN, ANYHOW) IF SPEED HAS SLOWED DUE TO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10532626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jun 2011 at 180,000 miles Kaysville, UT Crash

TIRES

NHTSA complaint #10410032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Oct 2009 Monessen, PA

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE A 1994 SATURN SL2 VEHICLE AND WAS ALMOST IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CAUSED MY CAR TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON A HEAVILY TRAFFIC HIGHWAY. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE TOTALLY REBUILT WITH A NEW TIMING CHAIN AND IT ONLY LAST 1 YEAR. I PAID OVER $1000 DOLLARS FOR THE REBUILT ENGINE INCLUDING LABOR AND THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN,I THINK ITS LUDICROUS BECAUSE MANY MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF ENGINE PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY TIMING BELTS. NOW I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN WITH NOT MANY OPTIONS. NEED SATURN TO HELP ME OUT!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10289905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Oct 2008 at 68,322 miles Largo, FL

SEAT BELTS

I OWN A 1994 SATURN SL1 . THIS MODEL OF CAR EMPLOYS "AUTOMATIC" STYLE SEAT BELTS, THAT ARE BUILT INTO THE DOOR FRAME. WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR THE SEAT BELT IS SUPPOSED TO OPEN BY SLIDING UP THE TRACK. WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR AND CLOSE THE DOOR, THE SEAT BELT IS SUPPOSED TO CLOSE BY SLIDING BACK ON THE TRACK. THIS IS AN AUTOMATIC OPERATION DRIVEN BY A MECHANICAL MOTOR. THE TRACK OR SOMETHING IN THE MECHANISM HAS FAILED, AND THE SEAT BELT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL WHAT SO EVER. I FEEL THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE AROUND A CAR WITHOUT A WORKING SEAT BELT??? SATURN IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, BUT ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA "IF A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE OR ITEM OF MOTOR VEHICLE EQUIPMENT, THE MANUFACTURER MUST FIX IT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER." THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX THE ISSUE, AND ARE REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH ME. IN THE MEANTIME I AM DRIVING AROUND A CAR WITHOUT A SEAT BELT!!! WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED? I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT SATURN DIRECTLY AS WELL TO NO AVAIL!

NHTSA complaint #10247213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Oct 2008 at 117,000 miles Burbank, CA

SEATS

VEHICLE DRIVER SEAT SLIPS BACKWARDS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. IT IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS THE FOLLOWING RECALL 99V045000, YET DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10246930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Mar 2008 at 100,230 miles Commerce, GA

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

SHIFTER CABLES BROKE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO SHIFTER.

NHTSA complaint #10222344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 May 2007 at 134,000 miles Liberty, NY

SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SATURN SL2. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEAT MECHANISM FAILED SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE NOTED IN RECALL # 99V045000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 139,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 06/08/07.

NHTSA complaint #10190383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Aug 2006 at 170,000 miles Sanford, ME

SEAT BELTS

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT WORKING. ONLY THE LAP BELT IS OPERATIONAL.

NHTSA complaint #10166002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Jul 2006 at 120,000 miles Winnsboro, SC

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

MANUAL TRANSMISSION - GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE TO SHIFT CABLE -- BROKEN BUSHING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MANUAL FLOOR SHIFTER WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE SHIFT CABLE. THE CABLE FALLS OFF THE SHIFTER LINKAGE. SATURN PARTS (OEM) WANTS TO SELL ME THE ENTIRE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR ~$200 (PLUS 3 HOURS LABOR TO INSTALL IT) -- SHOULD BE A $5 FIX FOR THE BROKEN PLASTIC BUSHING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SATURN OWNERS. (SEE HTTP://WWW.CHAOSMAGNET.COM/BLOG/ARCHIVES/000112.HTML ).

NHTSA complaint #10163429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Apr 2006 at 223,000 miles Sacramento, CA

CHILD SEAT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BUCKLE BETWEEN THE LEGS FOR THE HARNESS WILL UNLATCH WHEN PULLED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THIS IS AN EVENFLO 3252245P1 MANUFACTURED MAY 25, 2005.

NHTSA complaint #10155076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jun 2005 Erie, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

1. NORMAL DRIVING, THE VIBRATION FROM NORMAL ROAD BUMPS OR POT HOLES. 2. WINDSHIELD CRACKS ON THE LOWER SIDES WHERE EXTREME STRESS EXHISTS, DANGER EXHISTS OF WEAKENED ROOF SUPPORT AND GLASS INJURY IF A COLLISION OCCURS. 3. MUST BUY NEW WINSHIELD BECAUSE ALL THE USED VEHICLES IN THE AREA HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE DESIGN WAS USED FOR ONLY THAT YEAR MODEL AND THE WINSHIELD WRAPS AROUND THE SIDE OF THE AUTO RESULTING IN A WEAK DESIGN. THE WINSHIELD PRICE IS HIGHER THAN THE AVERAGE WINSHIELD.

NHTSA complaint #10127209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Mar 2005 Macon, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

IN JAN. 1998 MY TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND CRACKED MY ENGINE AND VALVE COVER. PRIOR TO THIS I DID TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER WHO STATES TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT OR NEW ENGINE IF TIMING CHAIN BREAKS. BEING THAT MY SATURN SL2 WAS A 1994 IT WAS FUNNY THAT SO SOON TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY TIMING CHAIN DID BREAK, AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT REPAIRED INTIL 2001 BY THE LOCAL DEALER WITH A USED ENGINE THAT LEAKED OIL EVERY WHERE I PARKED, MY COMPLAINTS YIELDED NO RESULTS. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR WHICH BEGAN TO OVERHEAT, COOLING FAN FAILED AND IN AUGUST 2004, THE TIMING CHAIN ON THE OTHER USED ENGINE STARTED TO RATTLE AND ALSO BROKE, SO TODAY I AM CARLESS AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE SATURN TIMING CHAINS. IS THERE AN INVESTIGATION ONGOING?

NHTSA complaint #10112407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Dec 2004 at 69,870 miles Fairfield, CA

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, AND CHILD SITTING IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT TOLD THE FATHER THAT THE SEAT BELT CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BACK OF THE SEAT. HOWEVER, ALL SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT REMAINED UNSTITCHED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10105089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Oct 2004 Brandon, FL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING, REPLACED 2 OF THE COMPONENETS UNDER THE DASH ONE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE UP IN THE CORNER AND THE OTHER UP BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX. COOLING FAN DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY MUST KEEP THE AC ON FOR THE FAN TO WORK. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME CAR AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. TRIED TO FIX BY REPLACING THE SENSORS HAD A MECHANIC TRY TO TROUBLE SHOOT, CAN'T FIND A REASON SO IT IS NOT FIXED JUST KEEP AC ON ALWAYS. CAR VIBRATES AND CAN'T FIND A REASON STILL LOOKING FOR PROBLEM, VIBRATES SO MUCH BODY PARTS ON FRONT ARE BECOMING MISALIGNED! AND IT SEEMS THE AUTO-TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FUNNY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND THEN STAYS ON AFTER DRIVING APX. 1 MILE. CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY FRIEND HAS ALL THE SAME COMPLAINTS.