MYRModel Year Report

1992 Saturn SL

● Typical for this model
1992 Saturn SL
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:59:30.436Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
131
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1992

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 29 complaints 1992: 131 complaints 1992 131 1993: 179 complaints 1994: 303 complaints 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 131 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002
1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1992 131 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 1995: 356 complaints 1995 1996: 287 complaints 1996 1997: 227 complaints 1997 1998: 168 complaints 1998 1999: 178 complaints 1999 2000: 148 complaints 2000 2001: 111 complaints 2001 2002: 131 complaints 2002

1992: 131 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199129
1992131
1993179
1994303
1995356
1996287
1997227
1998168
1999178
2000148
2001111
2002131

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

22% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer was at a stop when another vehicle rear ended her vehicle. The consumer stated the driver's seat back collapsed and when the seat reclined, the seat belt did not restrain her.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-28

Also filed under Seats

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Service brakes

18% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

16% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was parked about 20 minutes when it suddenly caught on fire. The fire department was called. The fire department determined it was an electrical fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-07

Seats

15% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing recliner.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Driver's seat back failed/reclined backward during impact of accident, resulting in injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-11-15

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1992-06-19Power train92V098000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1993-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-06-08 Seatback failure
  3. I
    1993-04-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-09-30 Steering system lockup
  4. I
    1993-06-08Engineering analysisClosed 1994-07-26 Fr seatback recliner fails
  5. R
    1993-08-06Electrical system93V132000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1992 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 92V098000 · Power train
  • Recall 93V132000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1992 Saturn SL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1992 Saturn SL is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Saturn SL?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1992 Saturn SL have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.