72 of the
481 complaints about the 1995 Saturn SL are about the
seats — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
98,112 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECLINER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD BECOME LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST SUPPORT IN THE BACK WHILE SITTING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST SEAT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADJUST SEAT EVERY TIME HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V045000 (SEATS), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10462507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,600 milesMilwaukee, WI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
MY WIFE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINING BACK GAVE WAY RECLINING THE SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY. I LOOKED UP A PREVIOUS RECALL SATURN HAD FOR THE YR, MAKE, AND MODEL HOWEVER EITHER DUE TO EITHER AGE OR VIN # SERIES FROM WHAT I HAD FOUND ONLINE THE DEALER WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. I ALSO CONTACTED A YOUNG LADY WITH GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE WHO ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I READ OFF THE RECALL NUMBERS FOUND ON NHTSA'S WEBSITE. DEALER WANTS ME TO COME IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC HOWEVER WILL NOT LET ME KNOW OF A PRICE? THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SEVERE INCIDENT AS BOTH MY CHILDREN WERE ALSO IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WHICH LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10456898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesShamong, NJ
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO RECLINE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11
NHTSA complaint #10395825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesHazlet, NJCrash1 injured
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL2. WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HER BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
NHTSA complaint #10233997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHazlet, NJCrash1 injured
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A POLE. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RETRACTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO HER BACK, NECK, AND SHOULDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. SHE HAS ALL THE DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE, AND A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000 (SEATS). THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10233998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Lansing, MI
SEATS
MY CAR HAS THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V045000, AND EVEN FALLS INTO THE "CARS AFFECTED" THAT IS LISTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, SATURN SAYS THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR AND REFUSES TO FIX, DESPITE THE RECALL THAT IS ON YOUR WEBSITE. THEY TOLD ME IT DOESN'T SHOW UP IN THEIR COMPUTERS, AND I BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN OLD PROBLEM AND CAR, THAT THEIR DATABASES DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE, FOR WHATEVER REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10221804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,000 milesBrentwood, CA
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER GEAR TEETH WORE EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE SEAT TO PARTIALLY SLIP REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 02V307000 REGARDING THE SEATS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06.
NHTSA complaint #10147623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,224 milesDade City, FL
SEATS
IN JAN 2003 I RECEIVED A NOTICE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND IF I HAD A PROBLEM I SHOULD GO TO A SATURN DEALER . LAST MONTH THE PROBLEM STARTED AND I WENT TO MY SATURN DEALER IN BRANDON, FL. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE SATURN WEB SITE AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 SEDAN, WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN OCT. 1995, AND I PURCHASED IT USED IN AUGUST 2001. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER :AA 99V0450000 A A A A A DATED A A 1999-MAR-12. I WENT BACK TO THE SATURN DEALER IN TASMPA, FL. TODAY AND THEY AGAIN SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I STATED THE LETTER STATED 1994 AND 1995 VEHICLES AND I FEEL THAT MINE SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE IS WAS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 1994. WE HAVE TO [PLACE A COOLER BEHIND THE SEAT TO HOLD IT IN PLACE OR IT WILL FALL BACK. THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN WE DO?
NHTSA complaint #10133835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunrise, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT SLID BACKWARDS. THE SEAT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE, AND LOCK SYSTEM FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10067513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesKirkland, WACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BELOW ARE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER I WROTE TO SATURN. THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF: PRESIDENT AND CEO SATURN CORPORATION ON JULY 5, 2000, I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A LATE MODEL FORD MUSTANG WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN MY 1995 SATURN SL-1. WHEN I WAS HIT, MY DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED AND I WAS THROWN INTO THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR AND SPRAINED MY LOWER BACK. AFTER ALMOST TWO MONTHS, MY BACK IS STILL IN PAIN AND I AM UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY. A YEAR OR SO AGO, I SAW A TELEVISION NEWS REPORT THAT STATED SATURN WAS RECALLING ALL 1995 SL-SERIES SEDANS BECAUSE OF AN INHERENT FAULT IN THE DESIGN THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FAIL IN THE EVENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION. I CONTACTED SATURN OF BELLEVUE IN BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON AND AFTER TYPING MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER INTO THEIR COMPUTER, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. WHEN I ASKED IF MY CAR WAS SAFE, THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS. IT IS NOW PAINFULLY OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR WAS NOT SAFE. I AM UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SATURN CORPORATION FOR TELLING ME IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING A CAR WITH AN INHERENT SAFETY DESIGN FAULT. I RECENTLY CALLED SATURN OF BELLEVUE TO GET AN ADDRESS WHERE I COULD WRITE TO YOU, AND DURING THE COURSE OF THE CONVERSATION, THE SALESMAN I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT SEAT BACK FAILURE IN A REAR-END COLLISION WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT MY PROBLEM WAS. I SUBSEQUENTLY SPOKE WITH TWO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS WHO ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A COMMON OCCURRENCE. AT THIS POINT, I AM ASKING THAT YOU DIRECT SATURN OF BELLEVUE OR SATURN OF RENTON IN WASHINGTON STATE TO RE-FIT MY OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE FRONT SEATS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER) WITH WHICH EVER SAFETY DEVICE YOU INSTALLED IN THE 1995 SATURN VEHICLES THAT WERE COVERED BY YOUR RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10045345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortworth, TX
SEATS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK MAKES A RATCHET NOISE WHEN ADJUSTING SEAT, AND THE SEAT BACK RECLINES BACKWARDS IN A FAST PACE WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #10040736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandy, UT
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM, WITH DRIVERS CHAIR BREAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED FROM THE BACK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME AT THIS CALL.
NHTSA complaint #10029595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clovis, CA
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE GEARS BROKE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACKWARDS. THIS OBSCURED THE DRIVER'S VISION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
SEATS
WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE THE FRONT SEAT DRIVER SIDE RECLINE BACKWARDS AND NEVER COME BACK TO ORIGINAL STATE. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER. PH
NHTSA complaint #10002150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boulder City, NV2 injured
SEATS
THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT RECLINES WHENEVER FORCE OR WEIGHT IS APPLIED TO THE SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BOTH AT REST AND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. TO DATE, THIS PROBLEM HAS HURT THE BACKS OF TWO PEOPLE (FOR THIS VEHICLE). THE PROBLEM FOR THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE HAS CAUSED NO DEATHS, TO DATE. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO SATURN OF HENDERSON AND REQUESTED THAT THE PROBLEM BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL ISSUED IN 1999. HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE SPECIFIED VIN NUMBERS OF SAID RECALL. I AM AWAITING SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION FROM CORPORATE SATURN FOR THE DEALER TO FIX MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. Attlesboro, MA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER SEATBACK KEEPS FALLING BACK INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8011092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shawnee, KSCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN APRIL 1999 FOR RECALL 99V045000 REPAIRS. DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL, AND REFUSED RECALL REPAIRS. ON JUNE 1, 2002 VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER 'S SEATBACK BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8011120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hills, CA
SEATS
THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa City, IA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
NHTSA RECALL 99V045000/MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006; VEHICLE WAS SITTING STILL WHEN IT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND. SEATBACK RECLINED BACKWARDS. THIS WILL BE SECOND INCCIDENT DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hercules, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER SEATBACK FAILED AND FELL BACKWARD TO A FLAT POSITION AS I WAS STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD AT AN INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PROP THE SEAT IN POSITION SO THAT I COULD FINISH THE TRIP. I HAD THE SEAT BACK REPLACED AT A SATURN RETAILER. THE INCIDENT MADE ME DECIDE TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT TO MY INSURANCE WEB SITE TO REGISTER MY NEW CAR, A LINK CAME UP TO CHECK THE SAFETY PROBLEMS OF MY VEHICLE - THE 1995 SATURN. THE ONE RECALL MENTIONED WAS THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FALLING BACKWARD. I CONTACTED SATURN AND ASKED WHY I HADN'T RECEIVED A NOTICE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ONE WITH A PROBLEM. THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS SEAT BACK, IT WAS DUE TO AGE AND MILEAGE. I WANT THE INFORMATION ON RECORD FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #759006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS FOR OVER $400. IN MY OPINION, SEATS SHOULD NOT JUST BREAK UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR. I COULD UNDERSTAND IF IT BROKE DURING A HIGH-SPEED COLLISION. ISN'T IT DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING AROUND WITH A COOLER IN THE BACK SEAT PROPPING UP MY SEATBACK?
NHTSA complaint #758748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mineola, NYCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE AT A STOP CONSUMER WAS REARENDED AND THEN PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE. CONSUMER SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 3700.00.
NHTSA complaint #8002539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Berlin, WI
SEATS
RECLINING MECHANISM FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED AND CAUSED THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO FALL INTO THE REAR SEATING ROW. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 99V045000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shepherdstown, WV
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE STARTING DRIVER SEATBACK RECLINERS BROKE AND FELL BACK. THERE IS RECALL99V450000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #899907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hills, CA
SEATS
THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcfarland, WI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL 99V045000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006 9000; SEATBACK FALLS BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. RECLINER CAN HOLD SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER CAN'T REST BACK COMFORTABLY IN SEAT WITHOUT SEAT COLLAPSING. THE RECALL IN GENERAL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #896199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcfarland, WI
SEATS
RECALL 99V045000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99006 9000; SEATBACK FALLS BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. RECLINER CAN HOLD SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEIGHT. CONSUMER CAN'T REST BACK COMFORTABLY IN SEAT WITHOUT SEAT COLLAPSING. THE RECALL IN GENERAL DOESN'T APPLY TO THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #896199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsor, CTCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
IN LOW IMPACT REAR-END COLLISION, THE SEAT BACK FAILED, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK (AND THE DRIVER) TO RECLINE ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #750482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NECrash1 injured
SEATS
CAR HIT FROM THE REAR INTO A PICKUP WHILE BOTH WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO STAY IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GO BACK WARDS, INJURING HER NECK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SATURN WAS TOTALLED BEING HIT IN BOTH THE REAR AND THEN HITTING THE P/U IN IT'S REAR.
NHTSA complaint #748464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Topanga, CACrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 99 V 045 000/ RECLINER GEAR TEETH ON DRIVER'S SEAT. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AND UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO OVER AN ENBANKMENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.
NHTSA complaint #880938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.