Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 421 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Saturn SL, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 66 | 16% |
| Service brakes | 61 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 54 | 13% |
| Power train | 40 | 10% |
| Steering | 33 | 8% |
| Air bags | 26 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 4% |
| Tires | 12 | 3% |
| Visibility | 12 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AUTO ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON 07/31/2015, THE LEFT FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN CAUSING INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER IN OUR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND ONCE THE KEYS WERE TAKEN OUT IS WHEN RIGHT FRONT AIR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
INSTALLED MICROGARD FUEL FILTER ON A 1995 SATURN SL1 A MONTH AGO STARTED SMELLING GAS HAD IT LOOKED AT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOSE DEVELOPED A SMALL HOLE. THE HOLE IS IN THE BLACK PLASTIC, THIS PI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
AFTER A POP NOISE DURING NEGOTIATING A CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY APPEARED TILTED EVEN WHILE GOING STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS STEERED WITH INCREASED LOSS OF CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MOVED TO CURB. STEERI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL SEDAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECLINER ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD BECOME LOOSE AND THE CONTACT LOST SUPPORT IN THE BACK WHILE SITTING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ADJUST SE
NHTSA complaint: Seats
MY WIFE WAS ON THE WAY HOME FROM PICKING UP OUR KIDS FROM SCHOOL AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINING BACK GAVE WAY RECLINING THE SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY. I LOOKED UP A PREVIOUS RECALL SATURN HAD FOR THE YR, MAKE, AND MODEL HOW
NHTSA complaint: Seats
MY COMPLAINT IS WITH A DAYTON QUADRA SE TIRE, SIZE P175/70R14 THE TIRE IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 20,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN PLUGGED OR PATCHED. IT HAS NEVER BEEN FLAT OR LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. ON SEPT 1 2011 WHILE DRIVING D
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT BEGAN TO RECLINE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WA
NHTSA complaint: Seats
DRIVING MY 1995 SATURN SL1 AT 65MPH, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO GUIDE THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER IN LESS THAN 200 YARDS AND CHANGE THE TIRE. THE LOCAL SHOP SAID THE VALVE STEM WAS "DRY ROTTED"
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 Saturn SL. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED CAUSING THE SHAFT TO FRACTURE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Risk: FRACTURE OF THE STEERING GEAR PINION SHAFT CAUSES COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL STEERING ASSEMBLY.
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTE
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 44 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 421 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 66 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.