Saturn SL recalls

There are 15 safety recalls on record for the Saturn SL, covering 896,602 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

Saturn SL recalls by model year

2001 2 2000 7 1999 1 1997 2 1996 1 1995 3 1994 1 1993 2 1992 2 1991 1

All recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switchReported October 12, 2000 · 65,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.
Risk: This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
Remedy: Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.

Recall number 00V310000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported October 12, 2000 · 6,092 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
Risk: Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Recall number 00V309000 · Recall details

Structure: bodyReported October 27, 1999 · 7,505 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

Recall number 99V297000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported October 20, 1999 · 265,698 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

Recall number 99V280000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported August 24, 1999 · 5,373 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.
Risk: If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

Recall number 99V231000 · Recall details

Structure: body: bumpersReported August 23, 1999 · 1,592 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "bumper standard." these vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.
Risk: If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.
Remedy: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

Recall number 99V232000 · Recall details

Unknown or otherReported August 23, 1999 · 2,692 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn quality standards.
Risk: A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

Recall number 99V230000 · Recall details

SeatsReported March 12, 1999 · 138,691 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.

Recall number 99V045000 · Recall details

SeatsReported September 12, 1997 · 5 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passsenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with suspect cold welds on the right side in the tunnel area of the floor pan. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt anchorage."
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Dealers will repair these vehicles.

Recall number 97V155000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported August 29, 1997 · 14,580 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. The pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or similar low speed maneuvers.
Risk: This could result in the pinion gear disengaging from the rack causing a loss of steering control.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly.

Recall number 97V138000 · Recall details

Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)Reported November 8, 1994 · 20,518 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly was improperly adjusted making it possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed, or remove the ignition key with the shift lever in a position other than "park." this does not meet the requirements of fmvss 114, "theft protection."
Risk: Consequence of non-compliance: unintended vehicle movement can occur which could result in an accident.
Remedy: Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.

Recall number 94V217000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported September 14, 1994 · 931 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation.
Risk: Fracture of the steering gear pinion shaft causes complete loss of steering control which can result in an accident.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering assembly.

Recall number 94V170000 · Recall details

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulatorReported August 10, 1993 · 352,833 vehicles affected

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: cablesReported May 25, 1993 · 14,459 vehicles affected

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

Power trainReported July 8, 1992 · 633 vehicles affected

What is wrong: 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.
Risk: 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.

Recall number 92V098000 · Recall details

Questions about the Saturn SL recalls

How do I check if my Saturn SL has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the Saturn SL have?

15, covering power train, fuel system, gasoline and structure.

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