1992 SATURN SL

2 recalls — 50 complaints

93V132000 Aug 10, 1993
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
352,833 vehicles affected
92V098000 Jul 8, 1992
POWER TRAIN
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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.
633 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Aug 17, 2008
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
1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Aug 17, 2008
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
1 injured
STEERING Jan 3, 2007
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
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Mar 21, 2005
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
Crash 1 injured
SEATS Jul 12, 2004
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
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Apr 7, 2004
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
Fire
SEATS May 5, 2003
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 May 5, 2003
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Apr 28, 2003
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
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Apr 28, 2003
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
Crash
STEERING:LINKAGES Jul 2, 2002
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 Jun 6, 2002
SHIFTER CABLE END FASTNER BROKE RENDERING SHIFTER INOPERABLE. *AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS Apr 1, 2002
BRAKES FAILED AND BUMPER IS 36 INCHES LONG AND SIDES HAVE NO BUMPER PROTECTION.
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Apr 1, 2002
BRAKES FAILED AND BUMPER IS 36 INCHES LONG AND SIDES HAVE NO BUMPER PROTECTION.
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Mar 18, 2002
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 18, 2002
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 Feb 20, 2002
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 Oct 17, 2001
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 Oct 1, 2001
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 Sep 19, 2001
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 Aug 27, 2001
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
SEATS Aug 27, 2001
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
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Aug 1, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug 1, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Jul 13, 2001
RAN OFF ROAD AND HIT STUMP< BURST INTO FIRE WITHIN SECONDS>AIRBAG FAILED. *AK
Crash Fire 1 injured 1 deaths
AIR BAGS Jul 13, 2001
RAN OFF ROAD AND HIT STUMP< BURST INTO FIRE WITHIN SECONDS>AIRBAG FAILED. *AK
Crash Fire 1 injured 1 deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jul 11, 2001
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jul 11, 2001
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jul 11, 2001
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 May 3, 2001
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
Crash 2 injured 1 deaths
SEATS May 3, 2001
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
Crash 2 injured 1 deaths
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Mar 16, 2001
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RETRACT, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID TRACK WAS BENT.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 28, 2001
TIMING BELT REPLACED. CJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Feb 28, 2001
SINCE 1993 THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES DUE TO HEAT RELATED ISSUES. CJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Jan 19, 2001
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jan 5, 2001
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH HEARD NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE AND LOST POWER. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD, THEN SAW THAT ALTENATOR HAD FALLEN OFF VEHICLE. *AK
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Jan 5, 2001
SUN ROOF HAD FALLEN OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED OF THIS SITUATION. *AK
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Nov 29, 2000
YOUR DATABASE WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO FILL THE FORM CORRECTLY. THE SPARE TIRE FAILED AFTER 10 MILES OF DRIVING TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP. I ARRIVED SAFELY WITH THE SPARE TIRE INTACT. ONE MONTH LATER, I NEEDED TO USE THE SPARE AGAIN. THE TREAD WAS DELAMINATED WITH SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE RUBBER. THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER OFFERED NO HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WHEN I CALLED. THE SPARE WAS USED ONCE FOR THE TRIP TO THE TIRE SHOP. THE TIRE LOOKS BRAND NEW OTHER THAN THE GAPING HOLE. THE WHITE INK PRINTED OVER THE TREAD SURFACE IS STILL VISIBLE AND LEGIBLE. THE INFLATION PRESSURE WAS 40 PSI. I NOTICED THE DOT NUMBER IS FROM ONE OF THE FACTORIES YOU ARE LOOKING AT. GIVEN THE FREQUENCY OF USE OF SPARE TIRES, THIS MAY NEVER APPEAR AS A PROBLEM, BUT IF THIS TIRE HAD FAILED WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD HAVE HAD A SEVERE BLOW-OUT. I PLAN TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE TIRE BEFORE SATURN REPLACES IT. WOULD YOU LIKE AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE PHOTOS? I AM GOING TO COMPLAIN AT SATURN, BUT LIKE FORD, I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD BET FIRESTONE IS STONEWALLING (NO PUN INTENDED) OTHER COMPLAINTS OUTSIDE OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES IDENTIFIED. THEY ARE LOSING MONEY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: HY7H5M162 TIRESIZE: T11570R14)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Oct 24, 2000
ENGINE BLOCK CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY. HEAD GASKET PROBABLY RUPTURED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 23, 2000
WHEN CHANGING GEARS VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE ENGAGING THE GEAR. IF DRIVER'S FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, AT THIS TIME, VEHICLE WOULD TAKE OFF. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 8 OR 9 MONTHS AGO. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SUSPENSION Oct 20, 2000
ROLLOVERS WITH SATURNS/ IN LOOKING FOR PARTS I HAVE FOUND OVER TEN SATURNS AT JUNK YARDS. THE OPERATORS OF THESE YARDS HAVE SEEN MANY SATURNS AS ROLLOVERS AND SAY IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM -
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 16, 2000
MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE DETERIORATED. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE.*AK *SLC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Sep 28, 2000
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S SEATBACK RELEASED AND COLLAPSED INTO A RECLINING POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Sep 22, 2000
NO SUMMARY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Sep 22, 2000
ALTERNATOR FAILED TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO RECALL ANNOUNCED ON POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD ON VEHICLE. DUE TO MILEAGE, VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF WARRENTY, HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPLACEMENT. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED REGARDS TO POSSIBLE FAILURE DUE TO SAME REASON AS RECALL. MANUFATURER STATED THERE WAS NO CHANCE. (RECALL WAS FOR ALTERNATOR/ALTERNATOR FAILED) MECHANIC STATED IF DIODES DID NOT BURNOUT, MAY HAVE CAUSE A FIRE. RECALL WAS BASED ON POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD IN ALTERNATOR SYSTEM.
SEATS May 31, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS May 9, 2000
MOTORIZED SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. JUST GAVE UP ON CONSUMER WHERE NEITHER OF THE FRONT MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS ARE WORKING. *AK
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Apr 11, 2000
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT TRAUMA, ENGINE MOUNT FAILED CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY AND LOUD NOISE, GAS GAUGE BEGAN BOUNCING RANDOMLY, O-RINGS IN A/C FAILED TWICE, DESPITE RETROFIT, A/C AGAIN INOPERATIVE DUE TO "O-RINGS" WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 40,000 MILES, BATTERY DEAD IN ONE YEAR IN ARIZONA. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Apr 11, 2000
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT TRAUMA, ENGINE MOUNT FAILED CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY AND LOUD NOISE, GAS GAUGE BEGAN BOUNCING RANDOMLY, O-RINGS IN A/C FAILED TWICE, DESPITE RETROFIT, A/C AGAIN INOPERATIVE DUE TO "O-RINGS" WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 40,000 MILES, BATTERY DEAD IN ONE YEAR IN ARIZONA. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Apr 11, 2000
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT TRAUMA, ENGINE MOUNT FAILED CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY AND LOUD NOISE, GAS GAUGE BEGAN BOUNCING RANDOMLY, O-RINGS IN A/C FAILED TWICE, DESPITE RETROFIT, A/C AGAIN INOPERATIVE DUE TO "O-RINGS" WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 40,000 MILES, BATTERY DEAD IN ONE YEAR IN ARIZONA. *AK