1992 Saturn SL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
79 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
140,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 79 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 17.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 7.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 5.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Seats | 9 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Seat Belts: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Seats: 9; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 74 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 22 |
| 1996 | 17 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 22; 1996: 17; 2000: 15; 2001: 12; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 483893 · 1995-09-10 (September 10, 1995)
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO 'BOILING OF FLUID WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME DOWN A STEEP HILL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506322 · 1996-07-10 (July 10, 1996)
BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066764 · 2004-04-07 (April 7, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507374 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)
DRIVER REPLACED BATTERIES 4 TIMES, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN 2ND GEAR, REPLACED GENERATOR WIRING AS PER SERVICE RECALL, ALSO REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS AND BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10238598 · 2008-08-17 (August 17, 2008)
SHIFT CABLE LINKAGE BROKE AT SHIFTER WHILE SHIFTING DURING ACCELERATION ,MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO NO POWER AT WHEELS NEAR MISS OF BIG RIG. HAD TO DRIVE ON SIDEWALK-AND LAWN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504634 · 1996-05-22 (May 22, 1996)
TRANSMISSION SEALS LEAK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747891 · 2001-07-05 (July 5, 2001)
ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND BATTERY REPLACED 5 TIMES. NOW EXPERIENCING SURGING, HESITATION AND STALLING, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE AFTER FOUR TRIPS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747891 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964882 · 1995-05-05 (May 5, 1995)
VEHICLE STALL OUT AT ANY SPEED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177692 · 2007-01-03 (January 3, 2007)
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE AND FELL OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE CAR. WE WERE IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THREE LANES AND THE CAR PULLED US ACROSS THE OTHER TWO LANES, DOWN A VERY STEEP DITCH AND INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE WE HIT MANY SMALL TREES. BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, NOR DID WE EVER TAMPER WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS GETTING THE BACK DOOR AND PANEL REPLACED AND THE BACK BUMPER ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720910 · 2000-04-02 (April 2, 2000)
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 A/C FAILED TWICE, DESPITE RETROFIT, A/C AGAIN INOPERATIVE DUE TO "O-RINGS" WATER PUMP LEAKED AT 40,000 MILES, BATTERY DEAD IN ONE YEAR IN ARIZONA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720910 at NHTSA ↗