1992 Saturn SL Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1992 Saturn SL, and owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1992 Saturn SL
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)
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.
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Power train
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.
Remedy: Replace the defective valve bodies.
123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1992 Saturn SL have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA; 18 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 25 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 116,780 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 22 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Shift cable linkage broke at shifter while shifting during acceleration ,momentary loss of control due to no power at wheels near miss of big rig. Had to drive on sidewalk-and lawn. *tr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 17, 2008 · Power train
“We were driving on the highway going 70 MPH when the steering wheel came loose and fell off causing me to lose complete control of the car. We were in the far right lane of three lanes and the car pul”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 3, 2007 · Steering
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1992 Saturn SL. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–24 / 29–35 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Saturn SL model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Saturn SL model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 Saturn SL | 1 | 29 |
| 1992 Saturn SL | 2 | 123 |
| 1993 Saturn SL | 2 | 175 |
| 1994 Saturn SL | 1 | 286 |
| 1995 Saturn SL | 3 | 355 |
| 1996 Saturn SL | 1 | 287 |
| 1997 Saturn SL | 2 | 227 |
| 1998 Saturn SL | 0 | 168 |
| 1999 Saturn SL | 1 | 178 |
| 2000 Saturn SL | 7 | 148 |
| 2001 Saturn SL | 2 | 111 |
| 2002 Saturn SL | 0 | 131 |
Checking a specific 1992 Saturn SL
How do I know if my 1992 Saturn SL has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1992 Saturn SL; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Saturn dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 92V098000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Saturn models
- Ion4,343 complaints
- Vue2,351 complaints
- LS1,458 complaints
- Aura1,439 complaints
- Outlook1,352 complaints
- Sky516 complaints
- SC1413 complaints
- Sc296 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.