Menu

1993 Saturn SWProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1993 Saturn SW, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year20% below the SW median · #5 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints273 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 23, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Saturn SW has problems

27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Seat belts50
Vehicle speed control30
Structure30
Child seat20
Seats20
Power train20
Electrical system21
Engine and engine cooling20
3 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1993 Saturn SW recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 93V-132 · Aug 10, 1993 · 352,833 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 93V-094 · May 25, 1993 · 14,459 vehicles

Risk. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.

Best & worst years

1993 vs. every other SW year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SW median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Saturn SW, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What SW owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER BRAKES WILL MALFUNCTION, AND WILL NOT WORK AS DURING DRY/WARMER WEATHER, COULD STEP ON BRAKES AND OPERATE AS SHOULD BE.*AK
Complaint 876749 · Dec 19, 2000
ABS BRAKES FAILED. AFTER STARTING AND PULLING OUT AT A SLOW SPEED, 4 MPH, THE BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER STATES THAT IT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
Complaint 828236 · Sep 25, 1998

Own a 1993 SW?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.