1993 Saturn Sl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1993 Saturn Sl: 2 recalls, 175 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #93V094000 · 1993 · 14,459 vehicles
What's wrong: The positive battery cable terminal at the starter solenoid May be formed incorrectly. Incorrectly formed terminals can contact the starter solenoid housing and cause an electric short circuit.
Why it matters: An electrical short circuit between the battery cable andthe starter housing can result in an underhood fire.
The fix: Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the positive battery cable terminal so that it does not contact the starter solenoid housing.
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. 8 mention a fire, 14 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (32): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (11), rust / corrosion (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Engine & cooling (30): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), leaks (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (26): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (12), noise or vibration (2), leaks (2).
- Seats (21): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1993 Saturn Sl has 175 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 12 Sl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 185). Complaints peaked in 1995 (37 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 113,450 miles. Neighboring years: 1992 (123 complaints, 2 recalls), 1994 (286 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 32 | 25 | Regular |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 30 | 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 1993 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 1993 Saturn Sl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1993 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 1993 Saturn Sl problems?
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (32), engine & cooling (30), transmission & drivetrain (26).
What gas mileage does the 1993 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 1993 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.