The 1994 Saturn Sw has 1 safety recall and 30 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (12 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints30filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths14 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Seats
NHTSA recall 99V045000 · Mar 12, 1999 · 138,691 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
SW
28mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
SW
26mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SW
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
SW
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components
12
2
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
6
3
0
3
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
6
2
0
7
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
4
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage
3
2
0
2
—
Air bags Frontal
3
3
0
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Door
1
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump
1
1
1
2
—
Power train Automatic transmission
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 2, 2010Equipment 1994 SATURN SW2 WITH AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE. THE BELT WILL HAVE A SHORTAGE AND STAY FORWARD THEN COME BACK AND THEN MOVE FORWARD AGAIN. *CN
Jan 27, 2006 · 115,091 miles · crash · 1 injuryVehicle speed control DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. WHILE STILL APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE HIT A HIGHWAY SIGN AND A TREE. SEATBELTS WERE WORN HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOTICED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
Aug 13, 2005Seats DT: THE OWNER IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL NUMBER 99V045000. THE RECALL IS IN REGARDS TO THE SEAT RECLINER. THE OWNER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND WHILE TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE THE SEAT RECLINER FELL BACK. THE OWNER LOOKED UP THE RECALL INFORMATION BEFORE SHE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED IT WAS UNDER RECALL. THE OWNER WAS SURE THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE SINCE IT WAS RECALLED. UPON SERVICE AT THE DEALER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE RECLINER FOR FREE. THE OWNER CHECKED WITH SATURN AND FOUND OUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE OWNER WANTS TO COMPLAIN THAT THE MANUFACTURER GETS TO CHOOSE WHICH VEHICLE…
Sep 14, 2003 · 94,501 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine OIL IN COOLING SYSTEM,CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. I HAD JUST SLOWED DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN IN A 35 MPH ZONE. OTHER WEB SIGHTS CLAIM THIS TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGH WAY. I WAS NOT INFORMED WHEN I REGISTERED AS THE NEW OWNER THAT THERE WERE ANY RECALLS OR BULLENTINS, CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH " NO DEFECTS". *PH
Dec 10, 2002 · 138,677 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A DEER HEAD ON AT 50 MPH. TS
Sep 12, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip BRACKET HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE RIVET. BRACKET BREAK LOOSE, STRESSING ABS WIRING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES ON DRIVER'S SIDE, NOW PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Feb 6, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum CONSUMER STATES BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, AFTER INSPECTING VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED DUE TO A NUT THAT VIBRATED OFF CAUSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BREAK. *JB
Apr 10, 2000Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING WHENEVER A/C WAS BEING USED. ALSO , THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
RQ00005 · opened Feb 16, 2000 · closed Aug 19, 2000 · led to recall 99V045000FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE
EA98017 · opened Jul 31, 1998 · closed Mar 16, 1999 · led to recall 99V045000SEAT BACK FAILURES IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 5, 1999, GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL 136,300 MODEL YEAR 1994 AND 1995 SATURN VEHICLE (ALL MODELS) BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1994 AND AUGUST 1994.DURING THIS PERIOD, SATURN'S SEAT SUPPLIER MANUFACTURED RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WHICH WERE OUT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATION, ALLOWING THE FRONT SEAT BACKS TO RECLINE OR COLLAPSE INADVERTENTLY.TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SATURN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK RECLINER ASSEMBLIES.SEE NHTSA'S SAFETY RECALL FILL 99V-045 FOR DETAILS.
EA95003 · opened Feb 24, 1995 · closed May 31, 1996CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS WERE INVESTIGATED AND STEPS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THEIR OCCURRENCES.SERVICE PROCEDURES WERE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES IN USE, AND A DESIGN MODIFICATION MADE FOR NEW VEHICLES.NO CONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE UPON COMMAND WERE IDENTIFIED.IMPROVED QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES AND DESIGN MODIFICATIONSIN THE SYSTEM WERE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE A MORE CONSISTENT LEVEL OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.THE DETAILS OF THESE FINDINGS AND THE RESULTING CONCLUSIONS ARE CONTAINED INTHE SUBJECT ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS…
PE94079 · opened Nov 7, 1994 · closed Feb 24, 1995CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE There is no summary currently available