1994 Saturn SL problems
Owners have filed 376 complaints about the 1994 Saturn SL with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 13% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of seat belts at 13%.
Complaints376
Crashes65
Fires5
Injuries49
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 13.0% · 49
Seat belts 13.0% · 49
Seats 13.0% · 49
Service brakes, hydraulic 13.0% · 49
Vehicle speed control 9.8% · 37
Power train 9.6% · 36
Electrical system 6.6% · 25
Air bags 5.3% · 20
Severity
Of those complaints, 65 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 49 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Saturn SL in this data, 1994 ranks 2nd by complaint volume; 1995 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 5 in the last three years against 5 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 120,000 miles.
In owners' own words
With no indication, engine was short 3 or more quarts of oil causing a possible failure of lifters and/or valves. Oil warning light functions when starting the car. Vehicle is not usable and may require engine replacement. We have heard this same problem from two other sources who have saturns. Oil has been changed at 3,000 mile intervals since we purchased. Discovered the problem when taken for oil change. Engine and engine cooling
While driving engine check light will come off and on, and the oil is leaking out of the pistons. When the consumer takes off,smoke comes out from the vehicle. Also, timing belt had to be replaced, and consumer is having problems with the air conditioner motor. Saturn agreed that there is a problem with the oil. Engine and engine cooling
Saturn reluctant to comment on if problems were of factory defects, therefore everything was paid for in full (extreme amounts) by myself. Also, the products, after replaced failed within one month after the "warranty" expired. Saturn refused to compensate . Nos afety defect listed in summary. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…