Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1995 Saturn SL
NHTSA data on file today
The 1995 Saturn SL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 356 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #99V045000 GM/FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINERS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #94V217000 Power Train — Clutch Assembly — Pedal/Hand Lever(MOTORCYCLE) NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #94V170000 Steering — Gear Box (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Seats 67 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 64 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 44 complaints
- Power Train 37 complaints
- Steering 37 complaints
- Air Bags 30 complaints
Of the 356 complaints on file, 76 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 356 complaints, owners report 57 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$6,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1995 Saturn SL is rated below-average due to significant recalls on critical systems like steering and frequent owner complaints about the engine, brakes, and seats.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 80,000–100,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | common |
| brakes | 70,000–90,000 miles | $200–$500 | common |
| steering | 90,000–110,000 miles | $400–$900 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection annually
- Coolant flush every 30,000 miles
- Timing belt replacement every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 40,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Brake pedal vibration
- Steering wheel play
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1995 Saturn SL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.