1994 Saturn SL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1994 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 1994 Saturn SL. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force IS applied.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this happens while the vehicle IS being driven, it could cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
Owner complaints
286 complaints52 involved a crash4 involved a fire41 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Unknown or other
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…
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.
- Vehicle speed control
For several years now, the cruise control on the car will turn itself off while engaged, and, if left alone, will randomly reengage ten or fifteen minutes later with no warning. this can cause a surge of acceleration (as much as one can expect from a saturn, anyhow) if speed has slowed due to traffic. *tr
- Tires
TL* the contact owns a 1994 saturn SL. The vehicle was equipped with big o big o aspen tires (205/70/r14 dot U9T9 tx30103). While driving approximately 75 mph the rear drivers side tire tread separated causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The tire was not replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 241,000.
- Power train
I have a 1994 saturn SL2 vehicle and was almost in a horrible accident on a major highway when the timing chain broke and caused my car to completely shut down on a heavily traffic highway. this was the second time this incident happened to me with the same problem. had to have the engine totally…
I have a 1994 saturn SL2 vehicle and was almost in a horrible accident on a major highway when the timing chain broke and caused my car to completely shut down on a heavily traffic highway. this was the second time this incident happened to me with the same problem. had to have the engine totally rebuilt with a new timing chain and it only last 1 year. I paid over $1000 dollars for the rebuilt engine including labor and the issue happened again,i think its ludicrous because many mechanics told me that saturns have a long history of engine problems especially timing belts. now I am without a vehicle once again with not many options. need saturn to help me out!!!!!!!!! *Tr
- Seat belts
I own a 1994 saturn SL1 . This model of car employs "automatic" style seat belts, that are built into the door frame. When you open the door the seat belt IS supposed to open by sliding up the track. when you get in the car and close the door, the seat belt IS supposed to close by sliding back on…
I own a 1994 saturn SL1 . This model of car employs "automatic" style seat belts, that are built into the door frame. When you open the door the seat belt IS supposed to open by sliding up the track. when you get in the car and close the door, the seat belt IS supposed to close by sliding back on the track. this IS an automatic operation driven by a mechanical motor. The track or something in the mechanism has failed, and the seat belt IS no longer functional what so ever. I feel this IS without a doubt a safety related issue! How am I supposed to drive around a car without a working seat belt??? saturn IS refusing to repair the issue because the car IS out of warranty, but according to the nhtsa "if a safety-related defect exists in a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment, the manufacturer must fix it at no cost to the owner." they want to charge me an exorbitant amount of money to fix the issue, and are refusing to cooperate with me. In the meantime I am driving around a car without a seat belt!!! what should I do to have this corrected? I have tried to contact saturn directly as well to no avail! *Tr
- Seats
Vehicle driver seat slips backwards while operating the vehicle. it IS the same exact problem as the following recall 99v045000, yet dealer was contacted and this specific vehicle IS not part of the recall. *Tr
- Power train › Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly
Shifter cables broke where it connects to shifter. *tr
- Seats
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 saturn SL2. while driving 35 mph, the vehicle's front seat mechanism failed similar to the failure noted in recall # 99v045000 (seats). the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from the recall. the vehicle's purchase date and engine size were unavailable. the current mileage IS 139,000 and failure mileage was 134,000. updated 06/08/07. *Jb
- Seat belts
Automatic shoulder belt on driver and passenger side IS not working. Only the lap belt IS operational. *Jb
- Power train › Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly
Manual transmission - gear shift linkage to shift cable -- broken bushing at the bottom of the manual floor shifter where it attaches to the shift cable. The cable falls off the shifter linkage. saturn parts (oem) wants to sell me the entire shift cable assembly for ~$200 (plus 3 hours labor to…
Manual transmission - gear shift linkage to shift cable -- broken bushing at the bottom of the manual floor shifter where it attaches to the shift cable. The cable falls off the shifter linkage. saturn parts (oem) wants to sell me the entire shift cable assembly for ~$200 (plus 3 hours labor to install it) -- should be a $5 fix for the broken plastic bushing. apparently this IS a very common problem among saturn owners. (see http://www.chaosmagnet.com/blog/archives/000112.html ). *jb
- Child seat
Dt*: the contact stated the buckle between the legs for the harness will unlatch when pulled. the manufacturer has been alerted. this IS an evenflo 3252245p1 manufactured may 25, 2005.
- Visibility › Windshield
1. Normal driving, the vibration from normal road bumps or pot holes. 2. Windshield cracks on the lower sides where extreme stress exhists, danger exhists of weakened roof support and glass injury if a collision occurs. 3. Must buy new winshield because all the used vehicles in the area have…
1. Normal driving, the vibration from normal road bumps or pot holes. 2. Windshield cracks on the lower sides where extreme stress exhists, danger exhists of weakened roof support and glass injury if a collision occurs. 3. Must buy new winshield because all the used vehicles in the area have similar problem. The design was used for only that year model and the winshield wraps around the side of the auto resulting in a weak design. the winshield price IS higher than the average winshield.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
In jan. 1998 my timing chain broke and cracked my engine and valve cover. Prior to this I did take my car to the dealer who states timing chain replacement or new engine if timing chain breaks. Being that my saturn SL2 was a 1994 it was funny that so soon timing chain problems occurred. My timing…
In jan. 1998 my timing chain broke and cracked my engine and valve cover. Prior to this I did take my car to the dealer who states timing chain replacement or new engine if timing chain breaks. Being that my saturn SL2 was a 1994 it was funny that so soon timing chain problems occurred. My timing chain did break, and I was unable to get it repaired intil 2001 by the local dealer with a used engine that leaked oil every where I parked, my complaints yielded no results. Needless to say I was able to continue driving the car which began to overheat, cooling fan failed and in august 2004, the timing chain on the other used engine started to rattle and also broke, so today I am carless and don't know where to begin. Obviously there IS a problem with these saturn timing chains. IS there an investigation ongoing?*ak
- Seat belts › Rear/other
While driving consumer stopped at a stop sign, and child sitting in a child safety seat told the father that the seat belt came completely out of the back of the seat. However, all seat belts in the back seat remained unstitched. Consumer contacted the dealer. *ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission · Structure › Body · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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.…
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. *nm
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While slowing for a stop light the consumers vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. the consumer was slammed forward then backwards into the driver's seat causing the seat to collapse onto the rear seat. *Mr the vehicle was considered a total loss by the insurance company. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Driver side airbag did not deploy in head-on collision with a speed of 50-55 m.p.h. *jb
- Seat belts › Front
The vehicle failed new york state inspection. the technician indicated that the driver seat belt mechanism needed to be replaced. please provide any additional information. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Email FWD fm fhwa inquiring how to have a 1994 saturn SL2 inspected to find out why the airbags did not deploy in a head on collision, her daughter was injuried.*mr *cb *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
While driving 60 mph on the highway and without warning both seat belts failed to retract . driver took vehicle to the dealership. the mechanic told him that motor had to be replaced. *ak
- Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
I own a 1994 saturn, which I purchased in october 1993. the spare tire in the car has never been used. it still has the little bar things on it which stick up. I recently had to go out of town and checked the spare and other tires and when I opened the trunk and lifted out the spare, it had…
I own a 1994 saturn, which I purchased in october 1993. the spare tire in the car has never been used. it still has the little bar things on it which stick up. I recently had to go out of town and checked the spare and other tires and when I opened the trunk and lifted out the spare, it had blown up. the rubber was shredded around the place it exploded. we talked to saturn about this and they said too bad essentially. so I thought I'D write to you. like I said, the tire has never been used. yes, I know its hot in phoenix, but just thinking about the danger I could have been in if I did not to check the tire and broke down on the highway leaves me kinda shaky. the tire IS one of those smaller doughnut ones, # 1115 70r/14, radial tempa spare. I still have it. I had to purchase another one from saturn though, to be safe. I would appreciate your input on this. when you test these for quality control, do you expose them to high temperatures for prolonged periods of time? this probably does not happen very often, though saturn said they had seen a few of these. I would be surprised if they had not told you about it. thank you for your attention to this. betty gregar 3623 e winchcomb phoenix, az. 85032 602-971-7128 october 7, 2003. *jb
- Electrical system › Wiring
While driving vehicle caught on fire and burned to the ground. Dealer notified. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Consumer states while pulling into the driveway driver's side seatbelt retractor was making a wierd noise. took vehicle to dealer, dealer stated that electrical seatbelt cable was broken. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front
Automatic seat belt on driver's side has failed to work. motorized portion does not retract over shoulder as it should. why IS this my problem to fix? it looks like a defect in the design of the car. *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver seat latch broke when rear ended by another car while sitting at a stop light causing the seat to recline. In the lowered position my wife,who was in the back seat,was forced forward by the impact resulting in a head injury on the headrest even though she had her seat belt fasten. *nlm
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front seat back can recline or collapse
- Seat back failures
In its letter dated march 5, 1999, general motors stated that it will recall 136,300 model year 1994 and 1995 saturn vehicle (all models) built between january 1994 and august 1994.during this period, saturn's seat supplier manufactured recliner assemblies which were out of design specification, allowing the front…
In its letter dated march 5, 1999, general motors stated that it will recall 136,300 model year 1994 and 1995 saturn vehicle (all models) built between january 1994 and august 1994.during this period, saturn's seat supplier manufactured recliner assemblies which were out of design specification, allowing the front seat backs to recline or collapse inadvertently.to correct the problem, saturn dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat back recliner assemblies.see nhtsa's safety recall fill 99v-045 for details.
- Cruise control failures
This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system. These…
This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system. These problems were investigated and steps taken by the manufacturer to remedy their occurrences.service procedures were issued for vehicles in use, and a design modification made for new vehicles.no confirmed allegations of failure of the system to disengage upon command were identified.improved quality control procedures and design modificationsin the system were undertaken to ensure a more consistent level of system performance.the details of these findings and the resulting conclusions are contained inthe subject engineering analysis closing report.a safety-related defect trend was not identified at ehis time and further use of agency resources does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
- Cruise control 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.