1993 Saturn SL
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.
- Complaints
- 179
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1993
Opened by NHTSA
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
1993: 179 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 29 |
| 1992 | 131 |
| 1993 | 179 |
| 1994 | 303 |
| 1995 | 356 |
| 1996 | 287 |
| 1997 | 227 |
| 1998 | 168 |
| 1999 | 178 |
| 2000 | 148 |
| 2001 | 111 |
| 2002 | 131 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
21% · 37 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Engine and engine cooling
18% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle caught on fire under the hood.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-25
Valve train seems to fail at about 95-160 thousand miles with unknown cause. Called both dealer and repair shops. Both seem to say the same. Either valve seats or piston rings fail at these points of milage.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-01
Power train
15% · 27 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Seats
12% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing recliner.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 Saturn SL. The contact stated that the passenger side windshield wiper separated from the arm. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-01
Also filed under Electrical system and visibility/wiper
Electrical system
12% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and front underhood.
Show complaint excerpts
Our vehicle caught on fire while we were on our way to vacation on highway 95. No warning was given. We were approached by another vehicle that the car was on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-15
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
I
1993-04-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-09-30 Steering system lockup
-
R
1993-06-12Electrical system93V094000 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.
-
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.
-
I
1994-11-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-02-24 Cruise control failure
-
I
1995-02-24Engineering analysisClosed 1996-05-31 Cruise control failures
Buy-smart checklist
1993 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 37 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 27 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 93V094000 · Electrical system
- Recall 93V132000 · Electrical system
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1993 Saturn SL reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Saturn SL is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1993 Saturn SL?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1993 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.