37 of the 481 complaints about the 1995 Saturn SL are about the steering — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 113,450 miles.
37
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
AFTER A POP NOISE DURING NEGOTIATING A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY APPEARED TILTED EVEN WHILE GOING STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS STEERED WITH INCREASED LOSS OF CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MOVED TO CURB. STEERING WAS UNUSABLE THEREAFTER AND CAR WAS TOWED FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10470830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. WHILE MAKING A SHARP U-TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BEGAN WOBBLING EXCESSIVELY. APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED COMPLETELY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FIXATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V138000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,900. UPDATED 01/03/08. *LJ IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING AT THE END OF THE WORN GEAR FAILED. THE WORN GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10210198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
I WAS TURNING AROUND SLOWLY UP INTO A DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A COUPLE OF CLUNKING/SCRAPING TYPE NOISES STEERING WENT AWAY COMPLETELY. I HAVE CALLED SATURN REGARDING RECALL 97V138000 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE HAPPENS TO BE A 1995 SL AND MY VIN NUMBER MISSES THE RECALL STATUS. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE REMEDIED SO THAT I CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS NATURE OF THIS PARTICULAR RECALL/PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10159257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN RFECALL 94V170000. THE RECALL STATED THAT FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THIS HAPPENED TO CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID REPLACE THE PART BEFORE SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. SHE WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ACTUAL PART WHICH COST $1120, AND $286 FOR THE RENTAL CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10134109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
I OWN A 95 SATURN SL,AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS CAR BECAUSE OF STEERING GEAR BOX. THE PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR BOX IS THAT THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED, CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION,CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. WELL LAST NIGHT JANUARY 10,2005 MINE BROKE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WELL TODAY JANUARY 11,2005 I CALLED THE SATURN PLACE AND AFTER THEY TRANSFEREE MY CALL ,THE MAN THAT I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR DID NOT MATCH THE ONES THAT WERE RECALLED. BUT HOW IS IT THAT THEY RECALLED THE EXACT CAR AS MINE AND MINE BROKE BUT THEY CANNOT FIX IT BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THEM. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ALL THE TIME TO TRANSPORT OUR KIDS AND OTHER NEIGHBOR KIDS TO AND FROM SCHOOL EVERYDAY. I JUST THANK GOD THAT SHE WAS RIGHT NEXT DOOR AT MY MOTHERS HOUSE INSTEAD OF ON THE HIGHYWAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH ALL THE KIDS IN THE CAR AND NO WAY TO CONTROL THE STEERING.WHEN THE STEERING WENT OUT MY WIFE ALMOST LANDED IN THE DITCH ACROSS THE STEET FROM MY MOTHER'S HOUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10106124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. CONSUMER COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY, BUT THE FRONT WHEELS DO NOT TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10052026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A "POP" NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION MUST BE REPLACED. *PH CONSUMER SAID THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VECIDLE, BUT VEHICLE WASN'T WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #10047770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. SPECIFICALLY, THE MECHANICAL CONNECTION IN THE MANUAL GEAR BOX FAILED CAUSING STEERING TO BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE WHEEL. TS
NHTSA complaint #8024114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, WHILE DRIVING ANOTHER 2.5 MILES THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8023309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE RACK AND PINION SNAPPED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #8021530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WITH NO WARNING, CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE MANUAL STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT HAD FRACTURED.
NHTSA complaint #8014010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING STEERING LINKAGE SEPARATED FORM VEHICLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROKE AND STOPPED TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS. ALSO, THE SIR COIL WAS BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #8012960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #762958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE, HEARD A CLUNK NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING STEERING WENT OUT. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL FRACTURE IN THE STEERING BOX, THERE WAS A PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #8005346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAR HIT CURB.
NHTSA complaint #751573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY AND SLIP RING BROKE . WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED A PROBLEM IN STEERING WHEEL. CONSUMER STOPPED TO CHECK VEHICLE ,AND WIGGLED STEERING WHEEL ABOUT 6-8 SECONDS, AND STEERING WHEEL BROKE. CONTACT TECHNICIAN, AND DEALER STATED IT JUST HAPPENED. *AK THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE STEERING ASSEMBLY AND ITS RELATED PARTS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #895226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT A SPACE AND NOTICED SOME RESISTENCE. WHEN STRAIGHTING WHEEL THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE PLAY THAN USUAL WITH STEERING. CONSUMER HAD A COUPLE OF MILES TO GET HOME, AND DECIDED TO DRIVE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY, CONSUMER TOOK A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AND WHEELS WOULDN'T TURN. CONSUMER PURCHASED A STEERING GEAR FROM DEALER TO CHANGE HIMSELF. RACK AND PINION PULLED OUT OF STEERING GEAR HOUSING.
NHTSA complaint #887562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING GEAR BROKE OFF FROM RACK PINION STEERING, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT REPAIRS SHOP. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #881186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE MAKING A TURN STEERING POPPED, AND STEERING WHEEL HAD NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #879997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THAT SAME DEFECT AS INDICATED IN NHTSA RECALL 94V170000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 7149 CONCERNING STEERING: MANUAL GEAR BOX FRACTURING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. MANUFACTURER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER PAID FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS AND REPLACED PART WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, DEALER REPLACED THIS PART AT NO COST TO CONSUMER, BUT STILL STATED THE PART WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #875716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
OUR SON WAS VERY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HE LOST THE STEERING IN HIS CAR. HAD HE BEEN MOVING, IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHER SUCH REPORTS OF THIS NATURE. WE DO KNOW OF THE 1994 RECALL OF SATURNS DUE TO A WELDING DEFAULT IN THIS SAME AREA. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED.MANY THANKS, PATRICIA SMITH
NHTSA complaint #732282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOST STEERING, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE MAIN ROAD BY COASTING. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND MINE AT THE TIME. THE STEERING WAS NON- EXISTENT AT THAT TIME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AT $465.00. I LOOKED ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND FOUND A RECALL RELATIVE TO MY SITUATION. NHTSA ID# 94V170000, COMPONENT STEERING MANUAL GEARBOX, MFG CAMPAIGN# 95C01 1995 SATURN SL. THE NOTE ON THIS RECALL IS THAT THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL STEERING ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE DEALER WAS EXTREMELY UNCOOPERATIVE AND STATED THEY DON'T HAVE A RECALL FOR MY CAR AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY. THEY SAID THEY DON'T CARE WHAT NHTSA SAYS ABOUT THIS RECALL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE STEERING. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. I HAVE REQUESTED THE OLD STEERING PART. I WILL HOLD ON TO IT ONCE RECIEVED. I WANT MY MONEY BACK FROM SATURN AND OTHERS TO BE SAFE WITH SIMILAR SAFETY THREATENING ISSUES WITH THE 1995 SATURN SL SEDAN.
NHTSA complaint #725921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, AND PROCEEDING THROUGH TRAFFIC, TOOK EYES OFF THE ROAD AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #859069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE NOISE WAS HEARD AND VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURE. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. RECALL 94V170. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #838452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #540488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
STTERING RACK FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #533177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE RIGHT FRONT SPINDLE FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE LOSING THE WHEEL AND HITTING CURB. DRIVER'S AIR BAG ALSO DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #819414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
RIGHT FRONT ROTORS WARPED/REPLACED, ALSO STEERING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #514822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CONSISTANT STEERING MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #546699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING COLUMN(WHEEL) WAS VERY LOOSE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, ON HOW TO INSTALL THE AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #801308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.