The Saturn SL has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1995–2002. On average a defect was admitted 5.36 years after the car was built, the slowest took 13 years. The most recalled system is Power Train (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 1,222 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Saturn SL
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Power Train 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed
Risk. This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles
Fix. Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them
What's wrong. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed
Risk. This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles
Fix. Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: unintended vehicle movement can occur which could result in an accident
Fix. Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments
Structure 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "bumper standard." these vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing
Risk. If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision
Fix. Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard
Risk. In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant
Fix. Dealers will replace the console armrest latch
Steering 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. The pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or similar low speed maneuvers
Risk. This could result in the pinion gear disengaging from the rack causing a loss of steering control
Fix. Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual steering. The pinion bearing cage in the steering gear can separate under high steering system load conditions, such as parking lot or similar low speed maneuvers
Risk. This could result in the pinion gear disengaging from the rack causing a loss of steering control
Fix. Dealers will replace the manual steering gear assembly
What's wrong. The steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation
Risk. Fracture of the steering gear pinion shaft causes complete loss of steering control which can result in an accident
Fix. Dealers will replace the manual steering assembly
Seats 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passsenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with suspect cold welds on the right side in the tunnel area of the floor pan. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt anchorage."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury
Fix. Dealers will repair these vehicles
What's wrong. 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
Risk. If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors
Risk. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash
Fix. Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589
What's wrong. Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors
Risk. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash
Fix. Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589
What's wrong. Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors
Risk. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash
Fix. Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank
Risk. Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur
Fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly
What's wrong. Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank
Risk. Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur
Fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications
Risk. If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance
Fix. Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed
Unknown Or Other 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn quality standards
Risk. A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash
Fix. Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 5.36 years |
| Slowest campaign | 13 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 50% |
| Campaigns on record | 13 |
Which SL years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 2001 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 2000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1999 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1998 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1997 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1996 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1995 | Steering |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Saturn SL have?
13 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1995–2002. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my SL still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 5.36 years, and the slowest campaign came 13 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.