1995 Saturn SL Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 19%of 355 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1995 Saturn SL, 19% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The caris a 1995 Saturn sl1 was bought in oct of 2002 it had only 38,962 actual miles on it, when I seen the overall shape of this vehicle it was awesome, the low mileage was the ultimate reason for buying the car ( since all I heard was how great these cars run) from a local chevrolet dealership in the area it has a sohc 4cyc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10057006, filed 2004-02, 49,000 miles“1995 Saturn sl1 - crack in cylinder head causing oil to leak into cooling system. I had to purchase new head and gasket set, oil pump and various other misc. Parts in order to fix this. Saturn has known about this problem and has not corrected it-I am a very unhappy Saturn owner. Up until this point, I was happy with the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10049175, filed 2003-12, 114,000 miles“My 1995 Saturn sl1 overheated in november 2002 due to a cracked cylinder head. There were 56,686 miles on the car. While there is a technical services bulletin related to this problem stating that saturns built between 1994 and 1996 may develop cracks and offering compensation if his occurs within 6 years or 100,000 miles, my car was over the 6 years that the warranty covered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10023914, filed 2003-06, 56,686 miles“Loud engine knock. Engine consumes oil but no leak. Took to Saturn dealer in fayetteville, ar and told it needs a new engine. Engine has less than 85,000 miles on it. Told there was a bulletin about this sometime in the past. All regular maintenance done as recommended by Saturn. Cost to replace engine $2600. Engine should not be on brink of failure at 83,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10177211, filed 2006-12, 82,000 miles“Consumer heard a knocking then a bang noise from the engine. This occurred while going up an incline at 30 MPH. The noise was followed by smoke. The consumer then pulled off the road and within seconds the engine was in flames. Prior to this incident there was knocking in the engine, and dealership replaced a cylinder because it was bad.”
NHTSA complaint #10063100, filed 2004-03, 100,000 milesRelated 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 1995 Saturn SL
69 complaintsBrakes
56 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsSteering
37 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsTires
12 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 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