1996 Honda Accord vs 1996 Saturn SL
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Honda Accord | 1996 Saturn SL |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 472 | 287 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 72 | 14 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 52 | 50 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 2 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–25 | 25–29 |
| Median reported mileage | 106,602 mi | 95,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Honda Accord | Saturn SL |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 96 | 63 |
| Air Bags | 109 | 18 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 74 | 41 |
| Electrical System | 40 | 40 |
| Power Train | 27 | 37 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 29 | 17 |
| Visibility | 21 | 16 |
| Tires | 21 | 13 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Airbag warning light | 19 | 0 |
| Stalling | 16 | 5 |
| Vibration / shaking | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 7 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 5 | 0 |
| Brake problems | 5 | 13 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 8 |
| Overheating | 0 | 6 |
1996 Honda Accord
1996 Saturn SL
Compare all Honda Accord vs Saturn SL years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.