1993 Saturn SL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 175 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1993
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 saturn sl. The contact stated that the electrical system failed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 93v132000 (electrical system) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 saturn sl. The contact stated that the passenger side windshield wiper separated from the arm. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact also stated that the driver's seat, horn, ignition, and windows also failed. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 172,727. Updated 09/15/14*lj updated 1/13/2014 *js”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2014
“Key came out of ignition while going around corner, engine continued to run, everything else functioned normally. A locksmith cut a new key that is single sided, this does not fall out but also does not function on locks.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving this vehicle, the motor would just stop and then would not start until it cooled off. Had to have it towed 6 times within 6 months. Have not been able to drive it since.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated the front seat belts would not extract. The dealer determined both retractor modules need to be replaced.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2006
“Driving on the highway with cruise control set at 65 mph and cruise control just speed up about 10 mph out of the blue. Causing the car to jerk and rpms to jump. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2005
“While applying the brake pedal it went to the floor. Consumer pumped the brakes, and the they malfunctioned. However, consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it home. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection the next day. Mechanic determined that brake lines needed to be replaced. *ak it was later determined that the battery leaked acid on the brake line. The consumer believes the brake failure was due to the faulty design which located the battery over the brake lines. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2004
“Consistent problem with engine check light/ABS light, and battery light coming on and off. *ak the vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. After the consumer left the dealer all the dash lights illuminated and the vehicle shut down. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2003
“Valve train seems to fail at about 95-160 thousand miles with unknown cause. Called both dealer and repair shops. Both seem to say the same. Either valve seats or piston rings fail at these points of milage. Between 95,000 to 160,000 miles with unknown cause. Some said might be the aluminum head defect, others said that there are stress cracks from the molding of the head. They all say can not really tell until taken apart and visually checked. High cost to do this. But no known recalls on the head defect or valve seat or valve train system. Also on the door hinge, the door seals let water down to the hinge and it rots out the hinge on the door, causing the door to fall or rot off.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2002
“The consumer added coolant several times but the low coolant light kept coming. The dealer determined the cause to be a cracked cylinder head which was a manufacturing defect that caused the engine oil to be contaminated with the antifreeze. *yh”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 14 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. INCORRECTLY FORMED TERMINALS CAN CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT.
Remedy: INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact SL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Saturn SL reliable?
NHTSA has 175 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Saturn SL. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Saturn SL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 113,450 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Saturn SL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.