Total Complaints
35 filings
SATURN SW · model year
1993 SATURN SW
35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993SATURNSW carries 35 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 SW is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 3 filings, followed by seat belts (3) and structure:frame and members (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1993 SW. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
35
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| CHILD SEAT | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040823POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
A KNOWN FAULT IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION VALVE ASSEMBLY OF MY 1993 SATURN SW1 IS NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IS ADMITTED BY THE MANUFACTUER AND CAN BE FIXED AT MY EXPENCE WITH NO REEMBURSMENT OFFERED.*AK
Mileage: 100,061
20031006SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK WON'T "HOLD" POSITION. FALLS BACK UNDER WEIGHT. PROBLEM CONTINUING FOR YEARS. I INFORMED DEALER WHO SIMPLY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SEAT. I NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR ANY SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS THAT I DO NOT FEEL I CAN, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SELL THIS CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE.*JB
Mileage: 55,000
20030801FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
I CURRENTLY OWN A 1993 SATURN SW2. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. TODAY MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WENT ONT HE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON MY CAR THAT COULD START A FIRE. I CALLED SATURN AT THE HONOLULU OFFICE. I GAVE THEM MY VIN # AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON MY CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT I PULLED UP 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON 3 DIFFERENT WEBSITE CLAIMING THAT MY CAR TYPE HAD RECALLS. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.THIS IS BECAUSE MY CAR WASN'T IN THERE SATURN RECALL SYSTEM TO BE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS IT THAT OTHER COMPANYS HAVE INFORMATION ON SATURN RECALLS AND SATURN DOESNT HAVE A LISTING ON WHAT IS RECALLED. WHAT CAN I DO. I HAVE NO CAR NOW BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO FIX WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE FIXED BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE RECALLS THAT WAS LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP ANY ONE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. MY KIDS AND MYSELF COULDVE DIED TODAY DUE TO THIS OVERSEEN RECALL.*AK
20030801FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
I CURRENTLY OWN A 1993 SATURN SW2. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR. TODAY MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WENT ONT HE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON MY CAR THAT COULD START A FIRE. I CALLED SATURN AT THE HONOLULU OFFICE. I GAVE THEM MY VIN # AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS ON MY CAR. I TOLD THEM THAT I PULLED UP 3 DIFFERENT RECALLS ON 3 DIFFERENT WEBSITE CLAIMING THAT MY CAR TYPE HAD RECALLS. THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.THIS IS BECAUSE MY CAR WASN'T IN THERE SATURN RECALL SYSTEM TO BE RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY IS IT THAT OTHER COMPANYS HAVE INFORMATION ON SATURN RECALLS AND SATURN DOESNT HAVE A LISTING ON WHAT IS RECALLED. WHAT CAN I DO. I HAVE NO CAR NOW BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO FIX WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE FIXED BECAUSE OF ONE OF THE RECALLS THAT WAS LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE. PLEASE HELP ANY ONE THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. MY KIDS AND MYSELF COULDVE DIED TODAY DUE TO THIS OVERSEEN RECALL.*AK
20020429SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING A HARD PLASTIC PIECE TO STICK. ON CONSUMER IN BACK AND TOP OF HEAD. *AK
20011130CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK
20010104SEAT BELTS
MOTOR BELTS ARE FAILING TO OPERATE; DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL, AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. \ FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
20001219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
20000502STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
BRACKET UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS BROKE AND RUSTED, AND WAS STILL HOLDING BY A PLATE. THE BRACKET HOLDS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ELECTRICAL WIRE AWAY FROM OTHER WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT CHAFING AND FAILURE OF THE WIRE. THE RIVET HAD BRAOKEN AND THE WIRE INSULATION WAS RUBBED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE OWNER MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. *AK *ML
19991105ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 30MPH VEHICLE DIED OUT. RECEIVED A JUMP START FROM AAA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START THAT SATURDAY. THE ALTERNATORS KEPT BLOWING OUT. FIRST ONE BLEW OUT IN 1998 & WAS BRAND NEW. THE OTHER TWO FOLLOWED NOT LONG AFTERWARDS. EACH TIME THEY WOULD BLOW OUT, THEY WOULD BURN OUT BATTERY. WOULD GET NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY EACH TIME AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. *AK
19990831SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE SHOULDER HARNESS REPEATEDLY FAILS. LOCAL SATURN KNOWS OF PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO DEFICIENT DESIGN/LOCATION OF CONTROL MODULE.
19990604SEAT BELTS
STITCHES ON THE SEAT BELT ARE COMING LOOSE, AND SEAT BELT ISN'T SUPPORTING THE CONSUMER THAT IS USING THE SEAT BELT. *AK
19990524CHILD SEAT
EVEN SATURN CANT FIND US A CHILD SAFTY SEAT THAT FITS THIS CAR FOR A 30# CHILD. *AK
19981222SEAT BELTS
SHOULDER BELT FOR DRIVER SHOULD SLIDE ON TRACK AND IT DOES NOT. DEALER CONTACTED AND STATES THE CABLE THAT SHOULD MOVE THE BELT IS BUSTED. DEALER CAN REPAIR AT $400. EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT. CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
19981120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19981120UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19981120LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19981120VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19981120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
19980925SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
Compare 1993SATURNSW to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
EA11014Engineering AnalysisClosed
Electric Power Steering Failure
RQ10004Recall QueryClosed
Electric Power Steering Failure
PE09016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
PE08061Preliminary EvaluationClosed
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
DP08002Defect PetitionClosed
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 SATURN SW have?▼
The 1993 SATURN SW has 35 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 SATURN SW?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 SATURN SW is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS.
Is the 1993 SATURN SW safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.