1991 Saturn SL

1991 Saturn SL

The 1991 Saturn SL is a compact sedan that was the first vehicle produced by Saturn. It was powered by a 1.9-liter inline-four engine that produced 85 horsepower and 110 lb-ft of torque. The SL was available with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.

The SL was praised for its fuel efficiency, affordability, and reliability. However, it was also criticized for its lack of power and poor handling.

Engine

1.9L Inline-Four

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Leaking coolant or oil, overheating engine, rough idling
  • Solution: Replace intake manifold gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Five-Speed Manual

• Transmission Bearing Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Noisy transmission, difficulty shifting gears
  • Solution: Replace transmission bearings
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Four-Speed Automatic

• Solenoid Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slipping or not shifting properly
  • Solution: Replace solenoid
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front Strut Mounts:
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or rattling noises from front suspension, poor handling
  • Solution: Replace front strut mounts
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Alternator Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Dimming headlights, battery not charging
  • Solution: Replace alternator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Starter Failure:
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine won’t crank
  • Solution: Replace starter
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Body Panel Rust:
  • Description/Symptoms: Rust spots appearing on body panels, especially around wheel wells
  • Solution: Replace rusted body panels or apply rust protection
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: Varies depending on extent of damage
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking:
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks appearing on dashboard
  • Solution: Replace dashboard or repair cracks
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 1991 Saturn SL is a reliable and fuel-efficient vehicle, but it has some common issues that can be costly to fix. These issues include intake manifold gasket failure, transmission bearing failure, and solenoid failure. Additionally, the SL is prone to body panel rust and dashboard cracking. Overall, the severity of the issues is moderate, and the cost to fix them can range from $200 to $1,000 or more depending on the extent of the issue.