1992 SATURN SL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

173

Owner Complaints

23 Crashes 3 Fires 4 Deaths

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

0

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1992 SATURN SL

The 1992 SATURN SL has received a total of 173 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, POWER TRAIN. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (18 complaints), Seat Belts (16 complaints), and Seats (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 1992 SATURN SL

NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1992 SATURN SL, potentially affecting up to 353,466 vehicles.

Recall 93V132000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

| 352,833 vehicles affected

Defect: THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.

Consequence: SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.

View full details →

Recall 92V098000 — POWER TRAIN

| 633 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: IF THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL, IT COULD BE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR COULD STARTIN REVERSE OR DRIVE, OR MIGHT MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH OR INJURY TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1992 SATURN SL

173 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1992 SATURN SL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 18
Seat Belts
Complaints: 16 3 Injuries
Seats
Complaints: 12 4 Crashes 4 Injuries 1 Death
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 11
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 10
Seatsfront Assemblyrecliner
Complaints: 6 2 Crashes 1 Injury
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 6 1 Crash 4 Injuries
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 5
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 5 1 Injury
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 5
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 2 Injuries 1 Death
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 4 2 Crashes 3 Injuries
Wheels
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 3
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 3
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 3
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 3
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 3
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolinebelts And Associated Pulleys
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 2
Air Bags
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury 1 Death
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Fire 1 Injury 1 Death
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm
Complaints: 1
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seat Beltsfrontwebbing
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumwheel Cylinders
Complaints: 1
Steering
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkages
Complaints: 1
Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm
Complaints: 1 3 Injuries
Steeringrack And Pinionrack
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Suspension
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Ball Joint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Suspensionrear
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwashermotor
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10238598 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | | 148,000 miles 1 Injury
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
#10238598 | POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | | 148,000 miles 1 Injury
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
#10177692 | STEERING | | 15,900 miles Crash
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
#10115235 | AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | | N/A miles Crash 1 Injury
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
#10081528 | SEATS | | 140,000 miles Crash
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

View all Engine And Engine Coolingengine complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1992 SATURN SL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1992 SATURN SL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1992 SATURN SL

No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.

NHTSA Investigations for the 1992 SATURN SL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the SATURN SL

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Other SATURN Models

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