1994 Saturn SL from North America - Comments

Purchased vehicle brand new, transmission dropped out after 1yr, ENTIRE braking system replaced FIVE times - on the way out for a 6th when I traded it 2 1/2 yrs into 5yr loan, ignition replaced 4 times in one yr, repeated problem w/ driver seat belt locking suddenly & choking me!!!! Dealer & Manufacturer denied service problem but then wanted to decrease trade-in value by $2700 due to service history!!!!

Don't be fooled by all of the "Saturn Family" gimmicks! You're only their friend as long as your car runs properly. They don't like you very much when your car reminds them on a regular basis that they are not perfect! I'd walk to the ends of the earth before I'd drive a Saturn again!

How true! I was a naive Canadian buyer. Two alternators later, having replaced the front bearings and the module, and having been told that the rotors need replacement--all this when the car had fewer than 130,000 kilometers on it--I plan to sell my 1994 Saturn Sl. By the way, don't believe the customer satisfaction stories. When my vehicle went off warranty, I stopped getting it serviced at the dealer's service centre and took it to two independent mechanics. Both of them told me that the rotors showed far more kilometers than the odometer showed (I got the car as a "year end discount," with supposedly under 100 km on it!); the mechanic who serviced the brakes told me that I had been driving with no rear brakes for as long as he could tell--this when I assumed that the car was being carefully serviced while it was still under warranty! Was my experience the exception or the rule?

It all depends on if the previous owner took care of the car and took it to the dealer to repair it correctly. The car cannot be fixed properly if the techs don't know of the concern.

Come on man! Almost six times replacing the entire braking system. I have the same exact car as you and only had to replace the rotors once, and the brakes four times. I have over 200,000 miles on my car, and I believe my car is more dependable than a brand spanking new one. Maybe you should look at who is fixing your car, or the way that you, yourself might be treating it.