25 of the
376 complaints about the 1994 Saturn SL are about the
electrical system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
59,994 miles.
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.
Brandon, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10093917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland, ORFire
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.
at 102,000 milesSouthfield, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER WAS CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN HE SPRAYED THE HAND BRAKE AND THE SURROUNDING AREA, THE AUTOMATED SAFTETY BELT ARM STARTED TO MOVE BACKWARD AND FOWARD AND THEN LOCKED AND RETRACTED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT ANY REASON OR WARNING. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMMON SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITHOUT A CUP HOLDER, IF DRINKS WERE ACCIDENTLY SPIILED INTO THE HAND BRAKE OPENING, IT WOULD CAUSE THE SEAT BELT MODULE TO MALFUNCTION. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A TEMPORARY SEAT BELT CLIP. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10024189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,989 milesBartlett, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY STATED THE ALTERNATOR WAS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #10015394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kaneohe, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE PLACING THE KEY INSIDE OF THE IGNITION THE KEY WAS STUCK INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I FEEL THAT SATURN MADE A LEMON AND I BOUGHT IT! I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP TO MY SALES PERSON. HE REFUSED TO TAKE MY PHONE CALLS. SATURN REFUSES TO GIVE ME THE NAMES OF THE "HIGHER-UPS" IN WHICH TO BRING MY GRIEVANCES TOO. I FEEL THERE ARE TOO MANY MAJOR REPAIRS FOR ONLY 29,000 MILES THAT I HAVE PUT ON THIS CAR. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #755106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saftey Harbor, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
AC DELCO BATTERY ACID IS LEAKING ON THE BRAKE CABLE, CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #868452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR SEIZED UP AND BELT CONTINUED TO TURN, RESULTING IN A FIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #861824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Muskego, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DEALER SAYS THAT THIS SYSTEM FAILS OFTEN, BECAUSE THE ELECTONING CONTROLER IS UNDER THE SPOT FOR THE CUP HOLDER AND IS NOT WATERPROOF. IF THIS IS FAILING AND SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING ON A LOT OF THESE CARS, I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT AND MAKE THEM FIX THE ONES, LIKE MINE, THAT HAVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #720450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tuscaloosa, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
IN A LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR THREE TIMES.NOW THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH.IT HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE UNDER WARRANTIES. IT IS STILL UNDER WARR.,BUT SHOULD I NEED TO KEEP REPLACING IT? ANY INFOMATION YOU HAVE WOULD HELP ME OUT. THANKS,GERALD FRANKLIN.
NHTSA complaint #717587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT DOESN'T WORK AND THE SEAT BELT WON'T COME ACROSS THE CONSUMER'S CHEST. ALSO, THERE IS A LEAK COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOORS, AND THE BATTERY DIE OUT.
NHTSA complaint #834234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW IN 1996, CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. BOTH ONLY LASTED APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 15 MONTHS. SATURN MECHANIC IN FLORIDA STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE BUILT TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #829852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW IN 1996, CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE 3 BATTERIES AND 2 ALTERNATORS. BOTH ONLY LASTED APPROXIMATELY 12 TO 15 MONTHS. SATURN MECHANIC IN FLORIDA STATED THAT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE BUILT TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #829852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bermingham, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR IS DEFECTIVE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #827016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pacifica, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
AFTER STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, VEHICLE LOST POWER DUE TO ALTERNATOR MALFUNCTIONING.
NHTSA complaint #523367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maywood, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
LIGHTER FELL OUT OF SOCKET, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD INTO GEAR AND HAS NO REVERSE GEAR THE DEALER REMOVED ANF RECONDITIONED THE TRANSMISSION, THE SEATBELT PULLED BACK WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPED AND THE SEATBELT FAILED TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE DRIVER DURING AN ACCIDENT CAUSING HIM TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS LOW DEALER RESURFACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, THE BRAKES ALSO MAKE NOISE, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM BEING MOVED, HORN FAILED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #817087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM OR SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #804603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williston Park, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #508376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Dimas, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DOORS AND IGNITION SWITCH CAN BE STARTED WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS.
NHTSA complaint #984829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Vernon, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED WHILE DRIVING, STOP AND WAITING AND RESTART.
NHTSA complaint #979582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Vernon, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT ANY SPEED WHILE DRIVING, STOP AND WAITING AND RESTART.
NHTSA complaint #979582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN COMING TO STOP SIGN AND LIGHT VEHICLE STALLS OUT. TT
NHTSA complaint #978343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING. TT
NHTSA complaint #958795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elwood City, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE OFTEN DIES EARLY IN THE MORNING. TT
NHTSA complaint #958615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.