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1994 Saturn SWProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1994 Saturn SW, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the SW median · #1 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3022 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 6, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Saturn SW has problems

30 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, hydraulic92
Seats64
Vehicle speed control52
Engine and engine cooling40
Air bags33
Seat belts32
Visibility10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Equipment10
4 other systems41

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

1 recall

1994 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

Seats

Recall 99V-045 · Mar 12, 1999 · 138,691 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

1994 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Saturn SW, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK FAILURESEA98017 · closed Mar 16, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-045
  3. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
  4. FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSERQ00005 · closed Aug 19, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-045
In owners' words

What SW owners report

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

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
Complaint 873490 · Oct 20, 2000
OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, OWNER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE ABS BRAKES BUT WITH THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER. THE PISTON FREEZES UP AND STICKS. OWNER NOTES THAT HE HEARD NOISES PRIOR TO BRINGING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT. *AK
Complaint 811419 · Apr 21, 1997
DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY, APPLIED BRAKES (ABS) HARD, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, SLID ABOUT 30 FEET W/BLACK TIRE MARKS BEHIND VEHICLE, REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK
Complaint 806861 · Dec 30, 1996

Own a 1994 SW?

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