1993 Saturn SL Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1993 Saturn SL, and owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1993 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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Cables (electrical system)
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.
Remedy: Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the positive battery cable terminal so that it does not contact the starter solenoid housing.
175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1993 Saturn SL have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA; 24 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Reports cite 14 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 105,156 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 40 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owned a 1993 saturn sl-2. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact attempted to coast the vehicle off to the right shoulder, but lost control and crashed”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 18, 2017 · Engine
“Key came out of ignition while going around corner, engine continued to run, everything else functioned normally. A locksmith cut a new key that is single sided, this does not fall out but also does n”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 23, 2015 · Unknown or other
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1993 Saturn SL. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–24 / 30–33 |
| 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 1993 Saturn SL
How do I know if my 1993 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 1993 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 93V094000).
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.