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Model year record

1992 Saturn SL recalls & problems

The 1992 Saturn SL has 2 safety recalls and 123 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (31 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints123filed by owners
Crashes · fires18 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths25 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemAug 10, 1993

Alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 93V132000352,833 vehicles

Problem
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Risk
SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix
THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
Power trainJul 8, 1992

Power train

Recall 92V098000633 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
IF THE GEAR SELECTOR INDICATES THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK ORNEUTRAL, IT COULD BE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CAR COULD STARTIN REVERSE OR DRIVE, OR MIGHT MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLECRASH OR INJURY TO PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix
REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1992 Saturn SL 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

SL

28mpg combined
City / highway24 / 35 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

SL

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 32 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

SL

25mpg combined
City / highway21 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

SL

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly31205—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline28000—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components25409—
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; 12v/24v/48v battery21221—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner18605140,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission13102—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control6000—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm5103—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield wiper/washer4000—
Wheels4102—
Air bagsFrontal3313—
Unknown or other3000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations