1991 Saturn SL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1991 Saturn SL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1991 Saturn SL. Newest first.
The generator electrical wiring IS not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Should an electrical short circuit occur in thegenerator, the generator wiring harness would experience excessive current flow.under certain conditions, enough heat could be generated to ignite surroundingmaterials. If this occurs, an underhood fire could result with or without theengine running and without prior warning.
Remedy
The generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open as a fuse would under certain excessive current flow conditions.
Owner complaints
29 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The brake pedal IS always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. you can't stop. record of complaint IS on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the…
The brake pedal IS always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. you can't stop. record of complaint IS on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the pedal would bottom and breaking was lost. they duplicated it but refused to admit it was a problem. now my sons are driving and I can't let them drive the car because they are not experienced enough drivers and if they every get into a panic stop situation they need to have extra room for gliding as the wheels won't lock up. I made saturn replace the master break cylinder and the problem became worse. I have the old master break cylinder. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic
The brake pedal IS always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. you can't stop. record of complaint IS on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the…
The brake pedal IS always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. you can't stop. record of complaint IS on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the pedal would bottom and breaking was lost. they duplicated it but refused to admit it was a problem. now my sons are driving and I can't let them drive the car because they are not experienced enough drivers and if they every get into a panic stop situation they need to have extra room for gliding as the wheels won't lock up. I made saturn replace the master break cylinder and the problem became worse. I have the old master break cylinder. *nm
- Suspension
Dt: contact states the vehicle IS continuously shaking, affecting the steering. the solenoids have been replaced, 6 months later the problem recurred. *ak
- Seat belts
The passenger and driver passive restrain seat belt locks down. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic informed the driver that seat belts needed to be replaced. *la
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
While driving at approximately 60 mph the sunroof detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection the mounts were completely rusted through. At no time the sunroof has been immersed and the vehicle has never been to a roll over. I do not believe this to be a result of neglect on my part, rather poor quality materials used in manufacture. *la
- Seat belts
Front passenger passive restraint belt IS locked in forward position, leaving occupant unrestrained.*ak
- Seat belts · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Drivers seatback broken and motorized shoulder belts bind in track and blow fuse. *Ak
- Seat belts
Restraint system analysis was performed by chp-central division mait. the analysis indicated the restraint failed at the latch plate connection to the motorized guide plate. this report IS being filed for the vehicle owner by the chp per our departmental policy. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Manual transmission gear shift arm suddenly was loose. Saturn of asutin reported shifter cable broke and replaced same. If break had occurred while moving it likely would have caused accident and injury.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Have had car serviced numerous times, engine always remained rough, car dies on us, has low uptake speed, mechanic said its a saturn engine defect, will eventually die altogether. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Consumer experencing problems with replacing the battery. Battery has been replaced on five different occasions. dealer unable to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
I inquired the service department at saturn of monrovia (monrovia,ca, 91016) if they were aware of the aforementioned problems. they denied any knowledge of any problems associated with electrical wiring under the hood. *Ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
None
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belts are electric and are suppose to slide along the interior surface. the passenger side went out first, and a permanent latch was put in so that any one sitting on the passenger side have to clamp the seat belt every time the enter and exit the car. sometime later the driver side seat…
The seat belts are electric and are suppose to slide along the interior surface. the passenger side went out first, and a permanent latch was put in so that any one sitting on the passenger side have to clamp the seat belt every time the enter and exit the car. sometime later the driver side seat belt went out. the seat cable would pull the latch but would not secure the latch to lock. with the latch not locking I could still clamp the seat belt on to the latch. I would clamp the seat belt on the latch even though it would not lock, to avoid getting a citation for not having a seat belt. my main concern IS if I was to get into an accident with the sit belt not secured, I am afraid that my seat belt will not protect me.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Driver side automatic seat belt failed.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
The driver's side automatic seat belt failure.
- Seats
No summary provider by consumer.
- Vehicle speed control
While driving vehicle 60 mph on the freeway vehicle started accelerating by itself. driver stepped on the brakes to stop. but vehicle did not stop, and driving over curves without stopping, she finally stopped it by pulling the ignition key on a mall parking lot. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Driver's side automatic shoulder belt failure.
- Seat belts
Seat belt motor failed, causing failure of shoulder harness.
- Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While coming to a stop the right front wheel four lug: nuts broke off, causing the wheel to fall off. Please provide details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side seat belt track doesn't slide on track properly. *ak
- Air bags · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicle involved in a rear end crash going about (20-25) mph and the air bag did not deploy. Also the shoulder harness did not lock. Vehicle IS being repaired. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine oil leak, gasket oil pan rusted, causing loss of engine oil, in for repair will provide invoice receipt. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While leaning back in seat to reach into pants pocket, the seatback frame bent backwards, causin gthe reclining catch to release. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fr seatback recliner fails
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10233362This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
Every Saturn SL model year
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