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1994 Saturn SLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 286 owner complaints about the 1994 Saturn SL, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the SL median · #2 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints28689 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage116kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 26, 2016. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Saturn SL has problems

286 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 belts495
Seats4824
Service brakes, hydraulic448
Engine and engine cooling380
Vehicle speed control373
Power train352
Electrical system232
Air bags2019
Visibility152
10 other systems408

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

1 recall

1994 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

Seats

Recall 99V-045 · Mar 12, 1999 · 138,691 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

1994 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

1994 Saturn SL safety ratings

1994 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Saturn SL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK FAILURESEA98017 · closed Mar 16, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-045
  3. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
  4. FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSERQ00005 · closed Aug 19, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-045
In owners' words

What SL owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10247213 · Oct 30, 2008 · 68,322 miles
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
Complaint 10105089 · Dec 20, 2004 · 69,870 miles
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
Complaint 10055821 · Jan 26, 2004

Own a 1994 SL?

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