The 1991 Saturn Sl has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 352,833 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence
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…
Remedy
THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS
6
1crashes2injuries1deaths
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
3
SEATS
2
1injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
AIR BAGS
1
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
Total complaints31
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Dt: contact states the vehicle is continuously shaking, affecting the steering. The solenoids have been replaced, 6 months later the problem recurred. *ak”
“The passenger and driver passive restrain seat belt locks down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic informed the driver that seat belts needed to be replaced. *la”
“While driving at approximately 60 mph the sunroof detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection the mounts were completely rusted through. At no time the sunroof has been immersed and the vehicle has never been to a roll over. I do not believe this to be a result of neglect on my part, rather poor…”
“Manual transmission gear shift arm suddenly was loose. Saturn of asutin reported shifter cable broke and replaced same. If break had occurred while moving it likely would have caused accident and injury.”
“Restraint system analysis was performed by chp-central division mait. The analysis indicated the restraint failed at the latch plate connection to the motorized guide plate. This report is being filed for the vehicle owner by the chp per our departmental policy. *ak”
“Have had car serviced numerous times, engine always remained rough, car dies on us, has low uptake speed, mechanic said its a saturn engine defect, will eventually die altogether. *ak”
“The brake pedal is always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. You can't stop. Record of complaint is on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the…”
“The brake pedal is always low and some times bottoms out when you first start driving the car. You can't stop. Record of complaint is on file with saturn, but they just blew me off because they check out the car, but said it was ok. I showed them that by pumping the breaks a few times that the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA93016 Opened 1993-06-08 · closed 1994-07-26
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Saturn Sl as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.