Model year record

1995 Saturn Sw recalls & problems

The 1995 Saturn Sw has 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints36filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SeatsMar 12, 1999

Seats

Recall 99V045000138,691 vehiclesopened 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.

Power trainNov 8, 1994

Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)

Recall 94V21700020,518 vehicles

Problem: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

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 / 36 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

SW

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

SW

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

SW

25mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/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, hydraulicFoundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	10	2	1	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	10	1	0	1	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	6	3	0	3	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal	6	1	0	1	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	2	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear; Front	2	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	2	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members › Underbody shields	2	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	2	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Windshield	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling
SOHC LK0/L24 (FROM HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/SATURN_I4_ENGINE#SOHC_LK0.2FL24) THE SOHC (LK0/L24) CYLINDER HEAD HAD 8 VALVES AND WAS MADE OF LOST FOAM CAST ALUMINUM. THE CAMSHAFT WAS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. MOTION FROM THE CAMSHAFT WAS TRANSMITTED TO THE EIGHT VALVES BY THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS AND ROCKER ARMS. THE LK0 ENGINE FIRST USED TBI (THROTTLE BODY INJECTION) FOR FUEL DELIVERY AND WAS RATED AT 85 HP (63 KW) AND 110 FTLBF (149 NM) OF TORQUE FROM 1991 TO 1994. THE L24 ENGINE RECEIVED MPFI (MULTI-PORT FUEL INJECTION) IN 1995 WHICH INCREASED POWER OUTPUT TO 100 HP (75 KW) AND 114 FTLBF (155 NM). THIS ENGINE WAS…
Dec 21, 2011 · 163,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 1995 SATURN SW! WAGON AT 50 MPH ON FREEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT. SHE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROADWAY. INITIAL INSPECTION INDICATED A BROKEN AXLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY SATURN MECHANIC, VEHICLES ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE CRADLE BROKE DURING OPERATION IT FORCE ITSELF AND OTHER PARTS TO BREAK CAUSING MY WIFE TO LOSE ALL CONTROL. THE SATURN MECHANIC SAYS IN 7 YEARS HE HAS ONLY SEEN 2 OTHER CASES OF CORROSION AFFECTING THE ENGINE CRADLE IN THIS SEVERITY. *TR
Jan 17, 2008 · 88,400 miles
Seats › Front assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injury
I BOUGHT A 1995 SATURN FROM PRECISION TUNE AUTO. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEANED, AND WIRING FIXED. NO MENTION OF SEAT PROBLEM. THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME FAILURE WITH TOP PART OF SEAT, TO FALL BACK FOR SOME REASON. FRONT SEAT. TROUBLE WITH CAR. BAD GAS MILEAGE, ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE VALVE TROUBLE, NO POWER ON HILL, GEAR SHIFT STICKS, CLUNK IN REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY, BLEEDING BRAKE LINE, BACK BRAKES. CVC CLICKING, AND SO ON. HIT ON AUG. 22, 2006. NOT SURE IF THIS CAUSED ALL THE ABOVE. *NM
Aug 22, 2006 · 99,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
OIL CONSUMPTION, CAUSED A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK
Jan 3, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THE SEAT BELT LATCH DID NOT CONSISTENTLY LATCH TO THE BELT METAL CONTACT. *AK *CB *JB
May 12, 2003 · 95,000 miles
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
I RECEIVED NOTICE REGARDING THE SEAT BACK OF MY 1995 SATURN WAGON. MY CAR DOES EXHIBIT WHAT WAS DESCRIBED - WHEN I LEAN BACK ON THE SEAT IT RECLINES BACKWARDS. I SCHEDULED THE REPAIR TO BE DONE AT THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HURRICANE, WV. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I TOOK IT IN THAT THEY SAID MY CAR WAS FINISHED IN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I GOT IN AND LEANED BACK TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON, THE SEAT FELL BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION. WHEN I ASKED WHAT HAD THEY DONE, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR WAS BUILT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO TIME PERIOD THEY COVERED AND NO WORK WAS DONE TO MY CAR. *NLM
Mar 8, 2003
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
THE DEFROSTER WORKS SOMETIMES -- ONLY IF I PUT ON THE AC AT THE SAME TIME -- AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY IT STOPS WORKING AND THE FRONT WINDOW SHIELD AS WELL AS THE SIDE ONES FOG UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. A SATURN MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAS 4 CARS AND WHAT I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED ONLY HAPPENS ON HIS SATURN. WE HAVE TRIED VARIYING THE TEMPURATURE, OPENING THE WINDOWS ETC. MOSTLY I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS FLAW.
Jan 5, 2003
Power train › Automatic transmission
THE CYLINDER HEADS OF SOME SATURN CARS CRACK AND THE OIL MIXES WITH THE COOLANT. THE SATURN MANUFACTURER WILL NOT FIX THE CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD ON MY SW1 BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRENTY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. A CYLINER HEAD SHOULD NOT CRACK - ESCPECIALLY WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, EVEN WROTE TWO TECHNICAL BULLETONS ON IT. I THINK SATURN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED CONSTOMERS AND THEY SHOULD FIX MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE.
Jan 1, 2003

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

FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSEClosedLed to recall 99V045000
RQ00005 · opened Feb 16, 2000 · closed Aug 19, 2000
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESClosed
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…
EA95003 · opened Feb 24, 1995 · closed May 31, 1996
CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE94079 · opened Nov 7, 1994 · closed Feb 24, 1995