1995 Saturn SL problems
Owners have filed 481 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Saturn SL. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come seats (15%) and engine (14%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 481 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 104 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 72 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 97,000 miles 47 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 10 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 13 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Among the 47 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 97,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 104 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 72 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 91% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1995 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Saturn SL with enough data (281 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Was at a stop light when another vehicle rearended saturn. Upon impact, driver's seat collapsed backwards. Vehicle lurched forward & hit vehicle in front. Driver's head hit seat's head rest. Emergency room treatment for knee & back injury.
I was traveling on the freeway at 65 miles per hour. The road conditions were dry, and the weather was clear and warm. I heard a noise from the right-hand side of my vehicle, and I began to slow down. When I applied pressure to the break, I lost control of my vehicle. I believe that I experienced tire tread separation: the tread was completely apart from the rim. The tread was good on the tires. I did not run over any objects which punctured the tires.
The cruise control would not disengage when brake was applied and the vehicle kept accelerating.tt consumer was traveling wst and the cruise control was set, after first sign indicating consumer's exit turned off cruise control at steering colum, vehicle continued to move at same speed, attempted to disengage by applying the brakes, but nothing happened, the vehicle continued at full speed.
I own a 95 saturn sl,and there was a recall on this car because of steering gear box. The problem with the gear box is that the steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated, causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation,causing a complete loss of steering. Well last night january 10,2005 mine broke for no apparent reason.
Loud engine knock. Engine consumes oil but no leak. Took to saturn dealer in fayetteville, ar and told it needs a new engine. Engine has less than 85,000 miles on it. Told there was a bulletin about this sometime in the past. All regular maintenance done as recommended by saturn. Cost to replace engine $2600. Engine should not be on brink of failure at 83,000 miles.