VehicleVerdict

1991 Saturn SL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1991 Saturn SL is among the quieter years of the SL on NHTSA's books: 31 complaints (86% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (39% of the total).

31

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other SL years?

SL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted481 complaints1991: 31 complaints1992: 173 complaints1993: 228 complaints1994: 376 complaints1995: 481 complaints1996: 369 complaints1997: 286 complaints1998: 222 complaints1999: 232 complaints2000: 202 complaints2001: 137 complaints2002: 154 complaints
SL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SL years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Saturn SL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1239%
Seats413%
Electrical System310%
Speed Control26%
Brakes26%
Engine26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Steering13%
Suspension13%
Tires & Wheels13%
Transmission13%
Airbags13%

Does the 1991 Saturn SL have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

93V132000Electrical SystemAugust 10, 1993 · 352,833 units

Defect

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 WARNING.

Remedy

THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 6, 2000 · crash

“WHILE LEANING BACK IN SEAT TO REACH INTO PANTS POCKET, THE SEATBACK FRAME BENT BACKWARDS, CAUSIN GTHE RECLINING CATCH TO RELEASE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · December 6, 1996

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 29, 1999

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 10, 2000

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING BY ITSELF. DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, AND DRIVING OVER CURVES WITHOUT STOPPING, SHE FINALLY STOPPED IT BY PULLING THE IGNITION KEY ON A MALL PARKING LOT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 12, 1998

1991 Saturn SL — common questions

Is the 1991 Saturn SL reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 31 NHTSA complaints, below the typical SL year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1991 SL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (12 complaints), seats (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 1991 Saturn SL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Saturn SL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Saturn SL under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saturn SL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SL years to avoid are 1995, 1994, 1996. The cleanest record among SL years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.