Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 Saturn SL. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINERS
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:LINKAGE:RIGID
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
STEERING:MANUAL:GEAR BOX
- Summary
- THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
- Consequence
- FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING ASSEMBLY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (355)
355 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seats is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 355 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 69 | 19.4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 67 | 18.9% |
| Service brakes | 53 | 14.9% |
| Power train | 40 | 11.3% |
| Steering | 37 | 10.4% |
| Air bags | 31 | 8.7% |
| Electrical system | 27 | 7.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 24 | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 16 | 4.5% |
| Tires | 12 | 3.4% |
How 1995 compares with other SL years
Best and worst SL years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 29 | 1 |
| 1992 | 123 | 2 |
| 1993 | 175 | 2 |
| 1994 | 286 | 1 |
| 1995 | 355 | 3 |
| 1996 | 287 | 1 |
| 1997 | 227 | 2 |
| 1998 | 168 | 0 |
| 1999 | 178 | 1 |
| 2000 | 148 | 7 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 36 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1995 SL for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1995 Saturn SL FAQ
How many recalls does the 1995 Saturn SL have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 99V045000 (seat), 94V217000 (power train), 94V170000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1995 Saturn SL problems?
Owners filed 355 complaints with NHTSA. Seats (69), Engine and engine cooling (67), Service brakes (53) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1995 Saturn SL get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 36 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1995 SL compare with other years?
Among the 1991–2000 Saturn SL model years at least five years old, the 1991 drew the fewest complaints (29) and the 1995 the most (355). The 1995 drew 355. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.