1995 Saturn SL Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1995 Saturn SL, and owners have filed 355 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1995 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.
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Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle) (power train)
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."
Remedy: Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.
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Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)
The steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering assembly.
355 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1995 Saturn SL have filed 355 complaints with NHTSA; 75 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 57 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 104,332 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 54 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Auto accident that occurred on 07/31/2015, the left front air bag deployed on its own causing injuries to the passenger in our vehicle. The vehicle was stationary and once the keys were taken out is w”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 31, 2016 · Air bags
“Installed microgard fuel filter on a 1995 saturn sl1 a month ago started smelling gas had it looked at and it was determined that the fuel filter hose developed a small hole. The hole is in the black”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 10, 2014 · Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1995 Saturn SL. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 25–28 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 21–24 / 31–36 |
| 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 1995 Saturn SL
How do I know if my 1995 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. 3 campaigns currently list the 1995 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 94V170000).
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.