Seat complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle was stopped, was involved in a 3 car collision. The vehicle was hit from behind by a 1985 Cadillac fleetwood traveling at at least a moderate rate of speed. The vehicle was pushed into a 2002 Audi (I believe it was) SUV. During the collision the drivers seat back failed and collapsed into the back seat. I believe it was the seat adjuster that failed. The driver sustained a concussion due to the collision and the seat failure. The vehicle was on a state road, and was stationary.
After leaving a traffic light, I had to stop suddenly because the car in front of me stopped for a stalled car in the lane of traffic we were traveling. The car behind me also stopped. The car behind this car collided with the car behind me causing it to collide with my car which was then pushed into the car in front of me. My car was sandwiched between the cars involved in the accident. The hinges of the driver's seat gave way causing the seat to move to the reclining position. I was not injured but the seat could not be placed in driving position. This kind of action could lead to serious injury and should be investigated.
Saturn has engineered a front seat that folds flat when hit in the rear with sufficient force. What Saturn has forgotten about during the design is the potential for severe and catostrophic injuries to rear passengers when the seat folds down during a crash. I experienced such a crash and feel that if a passenger were in the rear seat they would have sustained broken knee caps or had various parts of their body serverely hit by the seat. This would be from the head to the lower torso. Saturn is very non-commital about my concern. This is a serious injury waiting to happen. It essentially make the Saturn a 2-passenger car and only for front passengers.
Freeway traffic suddenly came to a stop. I stopped but was rear ended by a vehicle traveling at approximately 25 MPH and pushed into car in front of me. Drivers seat back collapsed. I sustained minor back, hip, bruised stomach muscles and knee injuries that I feel would have been avoided or much less severe had the seat back held. I'm having a problem comprehending gms contention that the seat back yielding is a desirable response to this or any situation (and the fact that their product adheres to all relevant standards, etc).
Vehicle was slowing down to come to a stop and another vehicle rear ended sl1. Upon impact, both front seats collapsed backwards onto rear seats. Managed to pull vehicle over to side of road. Driver/ passenger couldn't see out off windshield. The consumer is concerned about future safety, especially when children are in the back seat.
Our 99 Saturn sl2 sedan was involved in a 3 car accident. The Saturn was first rear ended by another vehicle first at about 45 MPH, then slammed into a car in front of our car which was stopped. The seat back broke (to the recline position). Further the air bags did not deploy. Luckily the seat belts were being worn at the time of the accident, and no injuries occurred.
I was involved in a rear-end collision where a SUV hit me while I was stopped. The force of the impact forced me into the car in front causing major front and rear damage to my car. The driver's seat collapsed during the rear impact causing me to be thrown to the back seat and causing abdominal and back injuries. I was wearing my seat belt at the time of the accident.
We were hit stopped in traffic and rear-ended by someone going about 45 MPH. During the accident my front seats collapsed and both my fiance and I suffered from soreness and neck pain. Each day we are getting better but I was concerned about the fact that the seats collapsed.
Related recalls (2)
Seats
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth May wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
Seats
Vehicle description: passsenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with suspect cold welds on the right side in the tunnel area of the floor pan. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 210, "seat belt anchorage."
Remedy: Dealers will repair these vehicles.
NHTSA investigations
Front seat back can recline or collapse
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SL years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (69), 1997 (17), 1996 (15), 2002 (9) and 1999 (8) model years. Seat complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Saturn SL seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 99V-045 (seats, Mar 12, 1999); 97V-155 (seats, Sep 12, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn SL seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (79 mentions), followed by the front assembly › head restraint (1).
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.