Our vehicle caught on fire while we were on our way to vacation on highway 95. No warning was given. We were approached by another vehicle that the car was on fire. At this point we saw smoke coming from under the hood of the car, and immediately, the car was filled with smoke from under the dashboard of the car. Visibility in the car was almost impossibile. We tried to stop the car, but we had no brakes, nor any emergency brakes. We tried putting the car in park, but the gear shift had been melted down as well. We had to cut the car completely off and let it coast towards a ditch to stop it.we jumped out and ran over a ditch. The fire department was there within two minuets from another burning car. Everthing under the hood was melted. We were told by the firemen that under the car was also melted down.
1993 Saturn SL: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 174 complaints about the 1993 Saturn SL describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 2
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The vehicle caught on fire under the hood.*jb
Upon exiting vehicle it caught on fire. Please provide any information.
The heater controls started to smoke and flames bursted which caused a fire. No prior warning. No prior problems with this system. *ak consumer states heater sparked up small flame and lots of foul smelling smoke.
Vehicle was parked on parking lot, left vehicle for a half hour, returned to vehicle, fire & police dept. Surrounded vehicle which had caught fire/burned.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
- What is wrong
- The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 93V132000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short circuit between the battery cable andthe starter housing can result in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the positive battery cable terminal so that it does not contact the starter solenoid housing.
Recall number 93V094000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1993 Saturn SL fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1993 Saturn SL?
5 of 174 owner complaints about the 1993 Saturn SL (3%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1993.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1993 Saturn SL?
There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1993 Saturn SL
Adaptive cruise 18Brake failure 14ABS 9No deployment 8Stalling 8
VIN decoder
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