1992 Saturn Sl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1992 Saturn Sl: 2 recalls, 123 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
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Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #92V098000 · 1992 · 633 vehicles
What's wrong: The transaxle valve assemblies were improperly machined. Vehicles May not properly engage in neutral or park, even though the gear selector indicates the vehicle is in neutral or park.
Why it matters: If the gear selector indicates the vehicle is in park orneutral, it could be in reverse or drive. If this happens, the car could startin reverse or drive, or might move unexpectedly, which May result in a vehiclecrash or injury to persons outside the vehicle, without prior warning.
The fix: Replace the defective valve bodies.
Electrical Vehicle recall #93V132000 · 1993 · 352,833 vehicles
What's wrong: The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which May be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: The generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open as a fuse would under certain excessive current flow conditions.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 25 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (29): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are leaks (4), overheating (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (19): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (5), noise or vibration (2), leaks (2).
- Seats (18): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1992 Saturn Sl has 123 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 12 Sl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 185). Complaints peaked in 1996 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 140,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (29 complaints, 1 recalls), 1993 (175 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 35 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 25 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1992 Saturn Sl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1992 Saturn Sl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1992 Saturn Sl. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1992 Saturn Sl problems?
Owners have filed 123 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (29), engine & cooling (24), brakes (hydraulic) (19).
What gas mileage does the 1992 Saturn Sl get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1992 Saturn Sl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.