1994 Saturn SL: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 286 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (17% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 286 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The fbi was my first choice. The car overheats from a cold start after I just filled up the coolant and drove the car for a few feet in 2 minutes from start. The coolant was already overflowing. I noticed something was eating the battery load when this happened another time making the car lose power when I checked the reading on the cars installed voltmeter. This after driving for about a mile. This extreme hot tempreture causes the coolant to boil and overflow even if I aid it with a rewired radiator fan on I have replaced the thermostat and the waterpump a couple of times. Please help captain america. The receipt from the attached file is the latest.this car is possessed.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“For several years now, the cruise control on the car will turn itself off while engaged, and, if left alone, will randomly reengage ten or fifteen minutes later with no warning. This can cause a surge of acceleration (as much as one can expect from a saturn, anyhow) if speed has slowed due to traffic. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 saturn sl. The vehicle was equipped with big o big o aspen tires (205/70/r14 dot u9t9 tx30103). While driving approximately 75 mph the rear drivers side tire tread separated causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The tire was not replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 241,000.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1994 saturn sl2 vehicle and was almost in a horrible accident on a major highway when the timing chain broke and caused my car to completely shut down on a heavily traffic highway. This was the second time this incident happened to me with the same problem. Had to have the engine totally rebuilt with a new timing chain and it only last 1 year. I paid over $1000 dollars for the rebuilt engine including labor and the issue happened again,I think its ludicrous because many mechanics told me that saturns have a long history of engine problems especially timing belts. Now I am without a vehicle once again with not many options. Need saturn to help me out!!!!!!!!! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2009
“Vehicle driver seat slips backwards while operating the vehicle. It is the same exact problem as the following recall 99v045000, yet dealer was contacted and this specific vehicle is not part of the recall. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 saturn sl2. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle's front seat mechanism failed similar to the failure noted in recall # 99v045000 (seats). The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was excluded from the recall. The vehicle's purchase date and engine size were unavailable. The current mileage is 139,000 and failure mileage was 134,000. Updated 06/08/07. *jb”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2007
“Manual transmission - gear shift linkage to shift cable -- broken bushing at the bottom of the manual floor shifter where it attaches to the shift cable. The cable falls off the shifter linkage. Saturn parts (oem) wants to sell me the entire shift cable assembly for ~$200 (plus 3 hours labor to install it) -- should be a $5 fix for the broken plastic bushing. Apparently this is a very common problem among saturn owners. (see http://www.chaosmagnet.com/blog/archives/000112.html ). *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the buckle between the legs for the harness will unlatch when pulled. The manufacturer has been alerted. This is an evenflo 3252245p1 manufactured may 25, 2005.”Owner report · Child Seat · Apr 2006
“1. Normal driving, the vibration from normal road bumps or pot holes. 2. Windshield cracks on the lower sides where extreme stress exhists, danger exhists of weakened roof support and glass injury if a collision occurs. 3. Must buy new winshield because all the used vehicles in the area have similar problem. The design was used for only that year model and the winshield wraps around the side of the auto resulting in a weak design. The winshield price is higher than the average winshield.”Owner report · Visibility · Apr 2005
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 52 of these complaints and injuries in 40 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
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 1994 Saturn SL reliable?
NHTSA has 286 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1994 Saturn SL. The most complained-about area is seats (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Saturn SL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 118,500 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Saturn SL have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seats. 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.