1991 Saturn SL Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 32 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Saturn SL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1991 Saturn SL. The part named most often is seat belts, with 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by seats (4) and electrical system (3). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts12 41%
- Seats4 14%
- Electrical system3 10%
- Brakes2 6.9%
- Engine cooling2 6.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.9%
- Air bags1 3.5%
- Steering1 3.5%
- Suspension1 3.5%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “The seat belts are electric and are suppose to slide along the interior surface. The passenger side went out first, and a permanent latch was put in so that any one sitting on the passenger side have to clamp the seat belt every time the enter and exit the car. Sometime later the driver side seat belt went out. The seat cable would pull the latch but would not secure the latch to lock. With the latch not locking I could still clamp the seat belt on to the latch. I would clamp the seat belt on the latch even though it would not lock, to avoid getting a citation for not having a seat belt. …”
NHTSA complaint #711409, filed 1999-09Electrical system: “I inquired the service department at Saturn of monrovia (monrovia,ca, 91016) if they were aware of the aforementioned problems. They denied any knowledge of any problems associated with electrical wiring under the hood.”
NHTSA complaint #715404, filed 1999-11Brakes: “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 pedal would bottom and breaking was lost. They duplicated it but refused to admit it was a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139159, filed 2005-10, 85,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 85,000 and 137,245 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1991 Saturn SL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL · sedan | not rated | 3 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Saturn SL version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| SL FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
| SL FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
| SL FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V132000Aug 10, 1993Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulatorCovers: Saturn SL 1991–1993, SC 1991–1993, SC1 1991–1993 +2 more
The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
Recall details for the 1991 Saturn SL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10233362Mar 10, 2023Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)…. This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to…
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Saturn SL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 131 | 59,868 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 111 | 64,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2000 | 148 | 57,714 | 7 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 178 | 64,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 168 | 66,250 | 0 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 227 | 86,300 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 287 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 355 | 100,400 | 3 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 286 | 118,500 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 175 | 113,450 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 123 | 140,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 29 | 85,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Saturn SL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Saturn SL have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1991 Saturn SL as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Saturn SL is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 12 complaints (41% of the total), followed by seats with 4.
Has the 1991 Saturn SL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Saturn SL get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Saturn SL (SL, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 Saturn SL reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 85,000 and 137,245 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.