CarModelProblems.com

1992 Saturn SL Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

Typical complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — is about in line with the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
123Complaints
2Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
25Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (14.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine18 · 14.6%not available
Seat Belts16 · 13%not available
Seats12 · 9.8%not available
Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator11 · 8.9%RecalledRecall 93V132000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor10 · 8.1%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components6 · 4.9%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE18 · 14.6%
SEAT BELTS16 · 13%
SEATS12 · 9.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR11 · 8.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR10 · 8.1%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6 · 4.9%
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER6 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 4.1%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION5 · 4.1%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR5 · 4.1%

Percentages are the share of the 123 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

NHTSA campaign 93V132000 · 1993 · reported 08/10/1993

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train

NHTSA campaign 92V098000 · 1992 · reported 07/08/1992

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WE MOVED FROM LOUISIANA TO ARIZONA AT THAT TIME WE NOTICED OIL IN COOLANT-REPLACED HEAD GASKET NO NOTICEABLE CRACKS IN HEAD, VEHICLE NEVER OVER HEATED…”NHTSA complaint 750970 — filed 08/23/2001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE DETERIORATED. MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. *SLC”NHTSA complaint 873039 — filed 10/16/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT TRAUMA, ENGINE MOUNT FAILED CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY AND LOUD NOISE, GAS GAUGE BEGAN BOUNCING RANDOMLY, O-RINGS IN…”NHTSA complaint 720910 — filed 04/02/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

24199537719973217199920192001742003212005122008

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Saturn SL?

Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 123 NHTSA complaints (14.6%), followed by seat belts (16), seats (12), electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1992 Saturn SL have?

123 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 25 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 1992 Saturn SL have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 93V132000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1992 Saturn SL's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.