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1993 Saturn SLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 175 owner complaints about the 1993 Saturn SL, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the SL median · #6 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints17545 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem32Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 18, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Saturn SL has problems

175 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
Service brakes, hydraulic326
Engine and engine cooling302
Power train261
Seats216
Vehicle speed control192
Electrical system195
Seat belts153
Air bags109
Tires90
12 other systems276

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

2 recalls

1993 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 →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 93V-094 · May 25, 1993 · 14,459 vehicles

Risk. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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

1993 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

1993 Saturn SL safety ratings

1993 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 1993 Saturn SL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. STEERING SYSTEM LOCKUPPE93022 · closed Sep 30, 1993
    No recall
  3. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What SL owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

ABS LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CURRENTLY, ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE DRIVING, AND CAUSES ABS TO BE NON OPERATIONAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK COMPUTER FOUND ERROR AND IF THE CODE RESETS CONSUMER WILL NEED TO REPLACE ABS CONTROLLER. *JG
Complaint 8007045 · Apr 8, 2002
PURCHASE CAR NEW THE ENGINE BLEW THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT SHUT RIGHT AND THE CAR HARD TO START THE FRONT END SHAKES, THE BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR. TT
Complaint 973827 · Oct 24, 1995
REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKES DUE TO GRINDING NOISE. RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS IS THE FOURTH INCIDENT. TT
Complaint 961861 · Mar 14, 1995

Own a 1993 SL?

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