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1992 Saturn SLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 123 owner complaints about the 1992 Saturn SL, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year23% below the SL median · #9 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12339 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem29Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 17, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Saturn SL has problems

123 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts295
Engine and engine cooling240
Service brakes, hydraulic194
Seats187
Electrical system163
Power train132
Vehicle speed control60
Steering52
Wheels42
9 other systems198

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1992 Saturn SL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 93V-132 · Aug 10, 1993 · 352,833 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.

Best & worst years

1992 vs. every other SL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SL median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1992 Saturn SL safety ratings

1992 Saturn SL 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Saturn SL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FR SEATBACK RECLINER FAILSEA93016 · closed Jul 26, 1994
    No recall
  2. SEATBACK FAILUREPE93004 · closed Jun 8, 1993
    No recall
  3. STEERING SYSTEM LOCKUPPE93022 · closed Sep 30, 1993
    No recall
In owners' words

What SL owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10017680 · Apr 28, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED FROM CENTER AND BROKE INTO HALF, ALSO THE COVERS THAT PROTECT THE MOTORIZED TRACK RUN IN FRONT SEATS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF. *AK
Complaint 984898 · Jun 27, 1996
PASSIVE RESTRAINTS FAIL TO COMPLETE CYCLE AROUND DRIVER. DRIVER MENTIONS STRIKING HEAD AGAINST BUCKLE THAT HANGS MIDWAY. *AK
Complaint 981129 · Mar 22, 1996

Own a 1992 SL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.