1993 Saturn SL SL1 from North America - Comments

The 1993 Saturn SL1 is a highly unreliable vehicle in terms of maintenance costs. My fiancee and I have had this car since 2000 and her mother since it rolled out in 1993. The vehicle itself ran just fine until it hit the 100,000 mile mark. Then everything went wrong.

Head gasket cracked, engine started to overheat, A/C was completely useless (except to turn on the engine fan so that it could cool the engine), interior reading lights wouldn't turn on or wouldn't turn off, door seals started leaking when it was raining, roof of the car got damp after the rain, gear shifter would not activate locking mechanism once you put the car in park, shifter cable was bad, fuel indicator would go from full to half after traveling 50 miles on the interstate, and the oil.

Talk about a guzzler. The SL1 in recent years has been consuming tons and tons of motor oil between oil changes. I have to put in about 3 quarts of oil in between oil changes. Thank goodness there's a dealership in town that offers a $5.95 oil change. It's, of course, not the local Saturn dealership.

The vehicle is reliable in the sense that it is fuel efficient and it will get me from Point A to Point B. It seems to me that all Saturn dealerships are instructed to tell SL1 and SL2 owners that these design flaws are our fault while we shell out thousands of dollars to correct every little problem.

Funny thing is, the SL1 that we own is not worth more than $1300 at trade-in according to Kelly Blue Book. With all the money we've pumped into the car, we could've bought a newer used car.

My husband and I both have 1998 Saturns (SL1). My car, too, gave out when it hit the 100,000 mile mark. For 4 months my car was in the shop every 2-4 weeks at $400-$500 each trip. The latest event was the gear shift cable snapped while I was driving. I was told it wouldn't be too expensive to fix... $460 later. Then this evening (8-6-04) my husband's car (with 30,000 less miles on it) did the exact same thing. This is the 3rd Saturn I've known to do this. One of my friend's car did the same thing. Is there any action that can be taken? I know we're all way past our warranties, but can't something be done? We have a baby. I would have hated to be in a middle of an intersection with my child and have had this happen. Thank goodness the little one was at home and I didn't get into a wreck! This is a huge safety issue. Has anyone else had this problem?

-Thank you-

Saturn owner, Austin.

The SL2 I owned also had a serious oil consumption problem, even when almost new. I have no idea where all the oil went, though, since it always passed the smog check. I must have added a quart every 1000 miles.

Otherwise, pretty much performed as advertised. Sold it around the 100K mark. Few economy cars last much longer than that, excluding the more expensive Japanese models of course.

I would like to comment on this. I have owned an saturn actually a 1993 saturn sl2. It was bought brand new off the showroom floor. The baby car has over 300,000 miles on it and only had to change a starter and alternator now granted it does burn oil, but it is old and I don't drive easy on cars. The last time that I tested to see how fast it would still do is 130 I got proof to I got the ticket. I would challange anyone to tell me that my car that has been everywhere in this country to tell me I have a bad car I still get 28 miles to a gallon and it is going down now I am rebuilding the motor myself and I hope that I keep the car for another 12 years. I have been through chevy ford and dodge and none of them have lasted under my abuse more that 6 months that was the thunderbird saying that it is a bad car is wrong it is a very good worthy car it has never stopped of failed me for any reason.

I have the 93 SL1 and have nothing but luck with this car. Yeah sure, it burns about a quart of oil between oil changes, but the car has 240,000 miles and STILL running strong. I have replaced the alternator and will need a battery soon, but that is it other than general maintenance. This car will take care of you if you take care of it properly.

I have no problem of my Saturn burning oil. It is up to the 250,000 mark and has minor problems, but what car doesn't? I have to say I'm impressed with it.

When I first got my saturn it was on my 16th birthday from my aunt. My aunt took good care of it and so do i. I have had no problems with the car so far and I plan to keep it that way with good mantinance.

BEiNE.

I'd like to mention that depending on the years and engine types saturns got worse for a bit. Their twin cam first runs didn't work very well, they were known for burning severe oil, without leaking it, transmission problems etc. I do believe those were first introduced on the SL2s. I had a 92 SL 1.9L Single Cam and now have a 97 same model same engine. Both are running well. My 92 went to 221000 miles and I'd let the maintenance collide, struts shocks, brakes oil change and a coolant issue (which was the only non maintenance issue) had come up and the 97 presented itself. From what I've seen of the reviews the SL2's seem to have the most problems, coincidentally they have the most options.

I have a 1993 Saturn SL, bought it new. It has 177K on it. I've gone through 2 alternators, 3 batteries, 1 clutch, 1 starter, and 2 motor mounts.

It never burns oil, starts up every time, and still gets 38 MPG hwy. The A/C crapped out, I know what the problem is, just to hard to get to. Even with replacing the wear items, I would not hesitate to get another one. I wish they still made it.

I remember looking at the concept cars in 1988/89 thinking "Not gonna fly", until I drove one in 1990. I returned to the US in 93 and bought one. Glad I did.

I have to say though I am an ASE mechanic, and performed all my own work. I change the oil/filters religiously every 2k miles, rotate the tires every 5k and plugs every 15k.