1994 Saturn SL Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1994 Saturn SL, and owners have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1994 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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Seats
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
286 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1994 Saturn SL have filed 286 complaints with NHTSA; 51 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 41 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 121,690 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 63 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The fbi was my first choice. The car overheats from a cold start after i just filled up the coolant and drove the car for a few feet in 2 minutes from start. The coolant was already overflowing. I not”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 26, 2016 · Electrical system
“For several years now, the cruise control on the car will turn itself off while engaged, and, if left alone, will randomly reengage ten or fifteen minutes later with no warning. This can cause a surge”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 30, 2013 · Vehicle speed control
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1994 Saturn SL. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 24–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–24 / 29–34 |
| 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 1994 Saturn SL
How do I know if my 1994 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. 1 campaign currently lists the 1994 Saturn SL; your car may already have been repaired under it.
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 99V045000).
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.