1993 Saturn SL Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 17%of 175 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,950miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1993 Saturn SL, 17% of the 175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,950 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The alternator belt broke four times since ownership. On one occasion, the consumer was driving at 50 MPH and the belt broke, which caused the power steering to become inoperative, and almost resulting in an accident. Dealer and the manufacturer have been informed of the problem. The serpentine belt fell off while driving, dealer replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10042105, filed 2003-10, 29,000 miles“Problems with the harmonic balancer having excessive run out causing improper serpentine belt alignment which created excessive belt wear. If problem is left unattended, serpentine belt/balancer can separate causing engine stall and loss of power steering which may cause accident. Contacted manufacturer but did not acknowledge a problem existed even though the balancer was redesigned. Balancer was replaced by the owner as a precautionary measure to prevent potential hazards. I also noticed several failure notices by other owners of this same brand/model of vehicle posted on the internet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10131997, filed 2005-08, 106,900 miles“My biggest problems is with the stalling of the car in the middle of traffic. I have almost been in one accident and there has been alot of times at which this car has stalled. This vehicle is very dangerous to me and my 4 year old boy and the place at which I am still paying for this car as not been cooperative in fixing this problem which was brought to there attention from day one. Anna cole.”
NHTSA complaint #756121, filed 2001-12“Since I have purchased my vehicle in 1996, I have had to have a number of repairs done to averging $200. Or more . I am having repairs done about every two months. I got the history of my car and found that it has been this way since the day it was ready to be sold. No safety defect listed in the summary.”
NHTSA complaint #720707, filed 2000-03“I was told the problem could possibly be with the valve guildes and to see if there was a recall because it is a common problem with older saturns. I can not find anything on this and hope you can help.”
NHTSA complaint #721786, filed 2000-04Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 16 | 12% |
| 2001 | 18 | 16% |
| 2000 | 34 | 23% |
| 1999 | 45 | 25% |
| 1998 | 28 | 17% |
| 1997 | 38 | 17% |
| 1996 | 63 | 22% |
| 1995 | 67 | 19% |
| 1994 | 38 | 13% |
| 1993 | 30 | 17% |
| 1992 | 24 | 20% |
| 1991 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1993 Saturn SL
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology