MYRModel Year Report

1994 Saturn SL

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Saturn SL
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Saturn SL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 131 complaints 1993: 179 complaints 1993 1994: 303 complaints 1994 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 2002
1994: 303 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 17%

17% of complaints: seat belts — 52 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
SEATS 16%

16% of complaints: seats — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner and power adjust.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER SEAT LATCH BROKE WHEN REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER CAR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030625

AS A RESULT OF BEING REAR ENDED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. *AK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030612

Also filed under AIR BAGS

VEHICLE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 25MPH CAUSING DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT TO COLLAPSE. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950104

Also filed under AIR BAGS

SERVICE BRAKES 16%

16% of complaints: service brakes — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 47 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1994 — complaint volume: 303
I 19941107 — PE (closed 19950224)

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE

I 19950224 — EA (closed 19960531)

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES

I 19980731 — EA (closed 19990316)

SEAT BACK FAILURES

R 19990313 — 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 AP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

Campaign 99V045000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000216 — RQ (closed 20000819)

FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Saturn SL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V045000 (seats) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2001 ● 2002 ● 1992

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 1996 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Saturn SL reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Saturn SL is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Saturn SL?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Saturn SL have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.