1992 Saturn SL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1992 Saturn SL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1992 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.
The transaxle valve assemblies were improperly machined. Vehicles may not properly engage in neutral or park, even though the gear selector indicates the vehicle IS in neutral or park.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the gear selector indicates the vehicle IS in park orneutral, it could be in reverse or drive. If this happens, the car could startin reverse or drive, or might move unexpectedly, which may result in a vehiclecrash or injury to persons outside the vehicle, without prior warning.
Remedy
Replace the defective valve bodies.
Owner complaints
123 complaints18 involved a crash2 involved a fire25 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Latches/locks/linkages · Power train › Manual transmission
Shift cable linkage broke at shifter while shifting during acceleration ,momentary loss of control due to no power at wheels near miss of big rig. Had to drive on sidewalk-and lawn. *tr
- Steering
We were driving on the highway going 70 mph when the steering wheel came loose and fell off causing me to lose complete control of the car. we were in the far right lane of three lanes and the car pulled us across the other two lanes, down a very steep ditch and into the median where we hit many…
We were driving on the highway going 70 mph when the steering wheel came loose and fell off causing me to lose complete control of the car. we were in the far right lane of three lanes and the car pulled us across the other two lanes, down a very steep ditch and into the median where we hit many small trees. before the accident, there was no evidence of any problem with the steering wheel, nor did we ever tamper with the steering wheel. the drivers side IS getting the back door and panel replaced and the back bumper also needs to be replaced as well as the steering wheel. nonetheless, my wife and I nearly lost our lives because of this failure. *jb
- Air bags › Frontal
1995 saturn SL2, incomplete deployment of passenger side front airbag in moderate frontal collision. *Bf portions of the air bag fabric melted the internal componets of the module. *jb
- Seats
The back of the driver's seat failed and collapsed during a minor fender bender. *mr the seat collapsed. due to poor inadequate welds. *sc
- Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle was parked about 20 minutes when it suddenly caught on fire. The fire department was called. The fire department determined it was an electrical fire. *ak
- Seats
Consumer was rear ended by another driver, the vehicles drivers seat back collapsed on to the rear bench seat. consumer IS very concerned with rear passengers being injured by seat back. please provide any further information.
- Seats
Consumer was rear ended and the driverside seat back collasped. The back of the seat slammed down so hard that if a passenger was sitting there there legs would have been crushed. "poor design", states consumer. please provide any further information.
- Seat belts › Front · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer was at a stop when another vehicle rear ended her vehicle. the consumer stated the driver's seat back collapsed and when the seat reclined, the seat belt did not restrain her. *jb
- Steering › Linkages
While driving steering linkage separated from vehicle. dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle. Please provide further information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
Shifter cable end fastner broke rendering shifter inoperable. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Structure › Body › Bumpers
Brakes failed and bumper IS 36 inches long and sides have no bumper protection.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Vehicle speed control
Engine would accelerate when brakes were applied. the vehicle was diagnosed as it being the brake booster diaphram that IS worn and leaking. the booster vacuum hose check valve grommet IS torn. *jg *ak
- Seats
Frame of driver's seatback broke during normal driving. This was a break through the steel u-channel on the left side of the seat just below where it IS welded to the tubular steel top piece. This component should never fail even under the stress of a rear end collision let alone during normal…
Frame of driver's seatback broke during normal driving. This was a break through the steel u-channel on the left side of the seat just below where it IS welded to the tubular steel top piece. This component should never fail even under the stress of a rear end collision let alone during normal driving. defect could have led to an accident and if it occured during a rear end collision an unecessary injury would likely have resulted.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt on drivers side IS not able to lock into buckle. contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak stitching on seat belt on drivers side came apart. *yd
- Seat belts
Passenger's seat belt will only work intermittently, it gets stuck in any position.also, since july 2001 driver's seat belt only works intermittently.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belt retractor gets in open position close to windshield. problem IS intermittent at this time, but was repaired 1 year ago, costing $800. computer controls dome lights/ chimes/ locks and seat belt. Saturn hasn't heard of this before. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Seats
We moved from louisiana to arizona at that time we noticed oil in coolant-replaced head gasket no noticeable cracks in head, vehicle never over heated while driving prior to this incident. left front seat in a permanent slant backward.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Air bags · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Ran off road and hit stump< burst into fire within seconds>airbag failed. *Ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Vehicle speed control
Alternator has been replaced three times and battery replaced 5 times. now experiencing surging, hesitation and stalling, and the dealer cannot find the cause after four trips. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Seats
Our 11 year old daughter died because she had the passenger front seat fully reclined. she was taking a nap coming home from school. her seat belt was buckled, but at impact her upper torso was whipped forward, then the front seat reclining mechanism gave out and the front seat popped up to its…
Our 11 year old daughter died because she had the passenger front seat fully reclined. she was taking a nap coming home from school. her seat belt was buckled, but at impact her upper torso was whipped forward, then the front seat reclining mechanism gave out and the front seat popped up to its upright position, then when her shoulder belt caught she was thrown back into the seat. she died of severe brain trauma, but there were no marks on her. the neurologist said it was akin to shaken baby syndrome because her head was shaken too fast and too hard, causing the brain stem to swell and cut oxygen flow to the brain. the windshield didn't even crack. why are front seats made to recline when safety belts and airbags will not protect you if you are reclined?*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side seat belt retractor will not retract, took to dealer, and they said track was bent.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing belt replaced. cj
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Both left and right motorized shoulder harnesses are inoperable. the drivers side IS stuck in the forward and passenger in the rear positions. a mechanic at abra diagnosed the problem as bad seat belt assy track units.
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Sun roof had fallen off without prior warning. Consumer was concerned of this situation. *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
- Steering system lockup
There is no summary currently available
- Seatback failure
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
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.