SATURN SW · model year

1994 SATURN SW

41 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994SATURNSW carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 1 fire, 15 injuries, 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 1994 SW is vehicle speed control with 5 filings, followed by seats (4) and engine and engine cooling:engine (3). 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 1994 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.

41
Complaints
13
Crashes
1
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

41 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEATS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
SEAT BELTS2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
AIR BAGS2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1

Recent Complaints

20100206EQUIPMENT

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

20060217CrashVEHICLE 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.

Mileage: 115,091

20060217CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

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.

Mileage: 115,091

20050902SEATS

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 IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS TO INCLUDE. SATURN DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE SEAT FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. *JB

20030914ENGINE 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

Mileage: 94,501

20021217CrashAIR BAGS

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER HITTING A DEER HEAD ON AT 50 MPH. TS

Mileage: 138,677

20010914SERVICE 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

20010614SERVICE 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

20010614POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN UPPER VALVE BODY PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED WORSE AFTER THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, DEALERSHIP THEN RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TEARDOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $1950 CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE WORK AT LOWER COST, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE NOW RUNS GREAT. *JB

20001020ENGINE 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

20001020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

20000623CrashFireSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN FREELY AND CAR ENDED UP IN A DITCH. CRADLE BOLTS MISSING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS PROBABLY CAUSED THE FRONT END TO SPREAD AND THE RACK AND PINION TO DISENGAGE.

20000522ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

UPPER MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHIFT. THE MOUNT WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. ORIGINAL MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED AT 20,000 MILES IN JUNE OF 95. *AK *ML

19991119CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

DRIVERS SEAT FAILED IN REAR IMPACT. THIS CAR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED TO REPLACE SOME PART OF THE SEAT BACK.

19990929SEATS

REFERENCE RECALL 99V045000. PARTS USED IN 94 MODEL IDENTICAL TO LATER YEAR, CONFIRMED BY DEALER PARTS COUNTER. DEALER MECHANIC INDICATED HIS BELIEF THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY RECALL. FAILURE MODE IDENTICAL TO THAT DESCRIBED IN RECALL. SEAT BACK SLIPPED OUT OF POSITION WHEN VEHICLE STATIONARY, I HAD PLACED MY HAND ON THE TOP OF THE SEATBACK TO BRACE MYSELF TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE DASH WHEN THE SEATBACK RECLINED WITH A LOUD "POP". SEATBACK HAS RECLINED ADDITIONAL 2 TO 3 TEETH SINCE INITIAL MOVEMENT.

19990908SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKE REPAIR 4 TIMES--ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED.

19990727CrashAIR BAGS

WHILE AT REST, MY CAR WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND FORCED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY CAR WAS EXTENSIVELTY DAMAGED. ACTUAL VALUE YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH IT SEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR IT TO DO SO. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTOR (STATE FARM) WILL NOT COMMENT ON THE AIR BAG'S FAILURE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS ALSO FORCED INTO A FULL RECLINE POSITION AND REMAINED LOCKED IN PLACE THERE. THIS WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED MY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT IF HE HAD BEEN PRESENT. OUR INSURANCE ADJUSTOR LIKEWISE DOWNPLAY'S THIS FAILURE. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE RECALL INFO AT YOUR WEBSITE ((NHTSA ID # 99V045000 INTERIOR SYSTEM SEATS) OUR SATURN DEALER DENIES ANY RECALL INVOLVING OUR VEHICLE AND SUGGESTS YOUR WEBSITE IS PROVIDING ERRONEOUS INFORMATION. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

19990625CrashSEATS

I HAD CALLED SATURN OF MELBOURNE, FL AND WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR SEAT HINGES. I WAS REAR ENDED ON JUNE 24, 1999 AND THE SEAT HINGE FAILED. *AK

19981115VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. OCCASIONALLY THE CRUSE CONTROL WHILE ACTIVATED WILL ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE TO SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH (IF ALLOWED TO DO SO). THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE WHEN IT SHOULD, HOWEVER IF THE DRIVER IS NOT WATCHING THE SPEEDOMETER THE VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY SPEED UP ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO TWO PEOPLE AT SATURN OF BRANFORD (BRANFORD CT) AND THEY SAID THAT IT IS A COMPONENT FAILURE AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE ESTIMATED $200.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SATURN SHOULD PAY FOR THE PART AND I PAY FOR LABOR, ETC. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, HAVING TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE FIELD THAT THESE SYSTEMS ARE SUPPOSED TO FAIL IN DECELERATION OR NO RESPONSE MODE ONLY. I BELIEVE THAT HAVING THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM FAIL IN A WIDE OPEN ACCELERATION MODE COULD BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION TO INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING A REPORT ON THIS MATTER.

19980826SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE SEATBACK LATCH BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO FALL BACKWARDS AND CAUSED INJURIES. DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH. *AK

Compare 1994SATURNSW to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 SATURN SW have?
The 1994 SATURN SW has 41 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 SATURN SW?
The most-complained component for the 1994 SATURN SW is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 1994 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.