Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 95 Saturn SL,and there was a recall on this car because of steering gear box. The problem with the gear box is that the steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated, causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation,causing a complete loss of steering. Well last night January 10,2005 mine broke for no apparent reason. Well today January 11,2005 I called the Saturn place and after they transferee my call ,the man that I spoke with told me that the VIN number on my car did not match the ones that were recalled. But how is it that they recalled the exact car as mine and mine broke but they cannot fix it because my VIN number does not match them. My wife drives this car all the time to transport our kids and other neighbor kids to and from school everyday. …
Tl contact owns a 1995 Saturn sl1. While making a sharp u-turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel column made a loud noise and began wobbling excessively. Approximately ten minutes later, the steering column failed completely and caused the vehicle to become fixated. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V138000 (steering:gear box (other than rack and pinion)). The manufacturer was notified as well. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 116,900. Updated 01/03/08. It was determined that the bearing at the end of the worn gear failed. The worn gear separated from the rack and pinion assembly, which resulted in loss of steering.
Dt: the contact owns a 1995 Saturn SL. The contact stated received NHTSA campaign rfecall 94V170000. The recall stated that fracture of the steering gear pinion shaft causes complete loss of steering control which could result in a crash. However, this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. This happened to contact's vehicle and she lost control of vehicle. The service department did replace the part before she found out about the recall. She was seeking reimbursement for the actual part which cost $1120, and $286 for the rental car.
I was turning around slowly up into a driveway and there was a couple of clunking/scraping type noises steering went away completely. I have called Saturn regarding recall 97V138000 however my vehicle happens to be a 1995 SL and my VIN number misses the recall status. I would like this to be remedied so that I can have my vehicle fixed under the recall because of the highly dangerous nature of this particular recall/problem.
While driving approximately 30 MPH, a "pop" noise was heard and the driver could not steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was determined that the rack and pinion must be replaced. Consumer said that there was a recall on the vecidle, but vehicle wasn't within the scope of the recall due to VIN.
After a pop noise during negotiating a curve the steering wheel suddenly appeared tilted even while going straight while driving. Car was steered with increased loss of control for a few seconds and moved to curb. Steering was unusable thereafter and car was towed for repairs.
While pulling out of a parking space the consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the steering column, while driving another 2.5 miles the consumer experienced total loss of steering ability. The dealer is aware of the problem.
Under normal driving conditions the vehicle abruptly lost steering, I was able to get off the main road by coasting. Luckily there were no cars around mine at the time. The steering was non- existent at that time. I had the car towed to the dealer, they fixed the problem at $465.00. I looked on the NHTSA web site and found a recall relative to my situation. NHTSA id# 94V170000, component steering manual gearbox, mfg campaign# 95c01 1995 Saturn SL. The note on this recall is that the dealer will replace the vehicle's manual steering assembly free of charge. The dealer was extremely uncooperative and stated they don't have a recall for my car and I would have to pay. They said they don't care what NHTSA says about this recall it is my responsibility to pay for the sudden failure of the steering. Please assist me in this matter. I have requested the old steering part. …
Vehicle experienced that same defect as indicated in NHTSA recall 94V170000/ manufacturer's recall 7149 concerning steering: manual gear box fracturing during vehicle operation. Manufacturer advised consumer that this vehicle was not part of the recall due to VIN. Consumer paid for replacement costs and replaced part was also defective, dealer replaced this part at no cost to consumer, but still stated the part was not part of the recall.
Consumer was pulling out a space and noticed some resistence. When straighting wheel there was a little more play than usual with steering. Consumer had a couple of miles to get home, and decided to drive vehicle. Next day, consumer took a look to see what was wrong, and wheels wouldn't turn. Consumer purchased a steering gear from dealer to change himself. Rack and pinion pulled out of steering gear housing.
Related recalls
Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
The steering gear pinion shaft was improperly heat treated causing the shaft to fracture during vehicle operation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the manual steering assembly.
Steering complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1995 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the steering of the 1995 Saturn SL, 10% of the model year's 355 complaints. The component named most often is gear box (other than rack and pinion) (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Saturn SL steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 94V-170 (gear box (other than rack and pinion), Sep 14, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Saturn SL steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.