- The problem
- The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
- The 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.
- The fix
- The generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open as a fuse would under certain excessive current flow conditions.
Vehicle safety record
1992 Saturn SL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the 1992 Saturn SL with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (50) and the engine & cooling (23). Those complaints describe 21 crashes, 2 fires, 35 injuries and 2 deaths. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in August 1993 for the alternator / generator / regulator. For comparison, the 1991 has 30 and the 1993 has 198.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical SL year, for its age
#18 most complained-about 1992 vehicle
- Complaints
- 148
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 21
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 35
- Deaths
- 2
Most common 1992 Saturn SL problems
Share of all 148 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1992 Saturn SL recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE BODIES.
What owners say
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148 complaints about the 1992 Saturn SL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 6.
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
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 as well as the steering wheel. Nonetheless, my wife and I nearly lost our lives because of this failure. *Jb
Vehicle experienced a problem with the rear wheel bearings. Driver was going at approximately 60 mph when the rear wheel bearings came out. The bearings seized, and the wheel came off. What was left was little chewed up pieces of metal. Owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer, but the cause of failure was undetermined. *Ak
1995 Saturn sl2, incomplete deployment of passenger side front airbag in moderate frontal collision. *Bf portions of the air bag fabric melted the internal componets of the module. *Jb
Consumer complained about rear wheel bearings. Consumer was going at approximately 55 mph when the bearings came out/seized, and the wheel came off, which left chewed up pieces of metal. Consumer later contacted the dealer, but the cause of failure was undetermined. *Ak
The back of the driver's seat failed and collapsed during a minor fender bender. *Mr the seat collapsed. Due to poor inadequate welds. *Sc
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
Consumer was rear ended by another driver, the vehicles drivers seat back collapsed on to the rear bench seat. Consumer is very concerned with rear passengers being injured by seat back. Please provide any further information.
Consumer was rear ended and the driverside seat back collasped. The back of the seat slammed down so hard that if a passenger was sitting there there legs would have been crushed. "Poor design", states consumer. Please provide any further information.
Consumer was at a stop when another vehicle rear ended her vehicle. The consumer stated the driver's seat back collapsed and when the seat reclined, the seat belt did not restrain her. *Jb
While driving steering linkage separated from vehicle. Dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle. Please provide further information.*Ak
Shifter cable end fastner broke rendering shifter inoperable. *Ak
Engine would accelerate when brakes were applied. The vehicle was diagnosed as it being the brake booster diaphram that is worn and leaking. The booster vacuum hose check valve grommet is torn. *Jg *ak
Frame of driver's seatback broke during normal driving. This was a break through the steel u-channel on the left side of the seat just below where it is welded to the tubular steel top piece. This component should never fail even under the stress of a rear end collision let alone during normal driving. Defect could have led to an accident and if it occured during a rear end collision an unecessary injury would likely have resulted.*Ak
Brakes failed and bumper is 36 inches long and sides have no bumper protection.
Seat belt on drivers side is not able to lock into buckle. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*Ak stitching on seat belt on drivers side came apart. *Yd
Passenger's seat belt will only work intermittently, it gets stuck in any position.Also, since july 2001 driver's seat belt only works intermittently.
Seat belt retractor gets in open position close to windshield. Problem is intermittent at this time, but was repaired 1 year ago, costing $800. Computer controls dome lights/ chimes/ locks and seat belt. Saturn hasn't heard of this before. *Ak
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 while driving prior to this incident. Left front seat in a permanent slant backward.*Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Ran off road and hit stump< burst into fire within seconds>airbag failed. *Ak
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
The left rear axle broke causing the left rear wheel came off, the vehicle veered off the road and struck a concrete divider wall, the driver sustained a sore neck (ohio traffic crash report). Nlm
Our 11 year old daughter died because she had the passenger front seat fully reclined. She was taking a nap coming home from school. Her seat belt was buckled, but at impact her upper torso was whipped forward, then the front seat reclining mechanism gave out and the front seat popped up to its upright position, then when her shoulder belt caught she was thrown back into the seat. She died of severe brain trauma, but there were no marks on her. The neurologist said it was akin to shaken baby syndrome because...
Read the full complaint
her head was shaken too fast and too hard, causing the brain stem to swell and cut oxygen flow to the brain. The windshield didn't even crack. Why are front seats made to recline when safety belts and airbags will not protect you if you are reclined?*Ak
Applied brakes stopped short,seat back snapped when car stopped
Saturn SL: every year compared
All SL years1992 Saturn SL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Saturn SL | 148 | 2 | C | |
| 1992 Saturn SC | 17 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1992 Saturn SC1 | 15 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1992 Saturn Sports Coupe | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1992 Saturn SW | 1 | 1 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1992 Saturn SL
Does the 1992 Saturn SL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1992 Saturn SL: alternator / generator / regulator (August 1993); power train (July 1992). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Saturn SL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (50), engine & cooling (23), brakes (21).
How many complaints has the 1992 Saturn SL had?
148 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 2, 1992 and the latest on August 17, 2008. Of these, 21 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 35 injuries and 2 deaths.
Is the 1992 Saturn SL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 52 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saturn SL year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saturn SL years have the most complaints?
1995 (357), 1994 (339), 1996 (315). See every Saturn SL year compared.
What should I do if my 1992 Saturn SL has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data