FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Analysis Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Recall lookup Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

1994 Saturn Saturn problems

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1994 Saturn Saturn with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 10 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Saturn Saturn All 1994 cars
F

FaultScore 98/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Saturn Saturn.

How this is worked out

The numbers

48

Complaints

9

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 96 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 96
Against the median year of the Saturn Saturn. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
39.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1994 compares with every other Saturn Saturn

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1994 Saturn Saturn

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seats 9 18.8%

4 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 9 18.8%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Seat Belts 7 14.6%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

Airbags 6 12.5%

5 crashes, 0 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 6.3%
Engine & Cooling 3 6.3%
Suspension 2 4.2%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Electrical System 2 4.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain 2 4.2%
Equipment & Accessories 1 2.1%
Wheels 1 2.1%
Tires 1 2.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.1%
Steering 1 2.1%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Recliner 8 32.0%
Frontal 6 24.0%
Rotor 3 12.0%
Pads 2 8.0%
Gasoline 2 8.0%
Retractor 2 8.0%
Torque ARM 1 4.0%
Front 1 4.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 1995 peak 7 Feb 2006

NHTSA investigations into the 1994 Saturn Saturn

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA00022 Opened 14 Aug 2000 Closed 30 Dec 2002 SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE

SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY.

PE98008 Opened 11 Feb 1998 Closed 31 Jul 1998 SEATS

SEAT BACK FAILURES

COMPLAINTS ALLEGED THAT THE THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK INADVERTENTLY COLLAPSED OR RECLINED

PE94028 Opened 24 Mar 1994 Closed 8 Jun 1994 SUSPENSION

BROKEN REAR SPINDLES

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Linden, TN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SUSTAINED 5 COMPRESSION FRACTURES OF THE SPINE AND HEAD INJURIES DO TO THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBACK LATCHES. SEATBACKS BROKE AND LAID DOWN ON REAR INPACT, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. AIR BAG DID NOT DIPLOY EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #708702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, TN Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SUSTAINED 5 COMPRESSION FRACTURES OF THE SPINE AND HEAD INJURIES DO TO THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBACK LATCHES. SEATBACKS BROKE AND LAID DOWN ON REAR INPACT, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. AIR BAG DID NOT DIPLOY EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #708702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deltona, FL Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY BACK. MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #842067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Altamonte Springs, FL 2 injured

SEATS

THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 99V045000) AT THIS TIME FOR ITEMS INVOLED. I DID TAKE IT TO A DEALER THEY AGREE REPAIRS NEED TO BE DONE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE DATES OF DEFECTIVE ITEMS RECALL AS WELL AS TYPE OF VEHICLE INVOLVED THEY REFUSE TO QUALIFY MY VEHICLE AS WITHIN RECALL LIMITS STATING MY VIN# IS NOT ON THEIR LIST FOR REPAIRS, YET I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #708309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY Crash

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

I FEEL THAT SATURN MISLED ME. I WILL SEND A COPY OF TWO LETTERS THAT I SENT TO SATURN WHICH WILL EXPLAIN WHY I AM FRUSTRATED. I BELIEVE SATURN WAS AWARE OF THE FLAW IN THEIR SEAT BACK RECLINER AND TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT BACK WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL AS IT DID IN MY WIFE'S ACCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UPON REAR IMPACT MY WIFE WAS NO LONGER IN A POSITION TO SEE AND CONTROL THE CAR. I NO LONGER OWN THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALLED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH SATURN AND WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER SATURN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #706939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

White Lake, MI Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT RECLINED WHEN HIT FROM REAR, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #506558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 50,000 miles Rockford, MI

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

DT*: THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE, THE BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO PRESS. THIS OCCURRED ON NORMAL ROADS, DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND LUBRICATED THE SUSPENSION, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/09/06.

NHTSA complaint #10150426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Rockford, MI

SUSPENSION

DT*: THE CONTACTS STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE, THE BRAKES WERE DIFFICULT TO PRESS. THIS OCCURRED ON NORMAL ROADS, DURING NORMAL BRAKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. IT WAS DETERMINED THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE CLEANED DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED AND LUBRICATED THE SUSPENSION, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/09/06.

NHTSA complaint #10150426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Boiling Springs, PA

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK WHEN THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN STOP. THIS CAUSED THE UNOCCUPIED CHILD SAFETY SEAT TO FALL OFF THE REAR SEAT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRACK.

NHTSA complaint #10012437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schenectady, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE AT ANOTHER DELEARSHIP HAVING VEHCLE LOOKED AT THEY INDICATED THERE IS NO AIRBAG THAT IS IN USE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. IT WAS DEPLOYED IN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT BEFORE I PURCHASED VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE DID NOT INDICATE PRIOR ACCIDENT OR AIRBAG WOULF NOT DEPLOY IN FUTURE ACCIDENTS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD, AND I AM EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT.

NHTSA complaint #754586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spokane, WA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #746447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baileys Harbor, WI

TIRES

CUSTOMER BROUGHT TIRE IN-HAD LOW SPEED BLOW-OUT. TIRE APPEARS AGED ON SIDEWALL, BUT THE SIDEWALL THREADS ARE SHOWING IN ONE SPOT LIKE IT'S WORN THROUGH ON INSIDE EDGE WHERE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. THIS WAS NOT A USUAL WEAR SPOT, SO WE WANTED TO REPORT THE INCIDENT ANYWAY. LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT US TO SAVE THE TWO TIRES FOR YOU. CUSTOMER IS REPLACING TWO FIRESTONES WITH OTHER MFG. BRAND AT THIS TIME.( DOT NUMBER: W2V9JA1303 TIRE SIZE: 195/60/R15 )

NHTSA complaint #729428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fontana, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT LITERALLY FELL APART, SEAT FELL ALL THE WAY BACK AND WOULD NOT STAY UP. OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN 1993.

NHTSA complaint #717779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carrollton, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SYSTEM/LINES ARE DESIGNED WITH INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM ROAD DEBRIS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BROKEN FUEL LINE AND LEAKAGE DUE TO DEBRIS FROM TIRE HITTING EXPOSED LINE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #547352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, TN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

SUSTAINED 5 COMPRESSION FRACTURES OF THE SPINE AND HEAD INJURIES DO TO THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBACK LATCHES. SEATBACKS BROKE AND LAID DOWN ON REAR INPACT, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. AIR BAG DID NOT DIPLOY EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #708702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, TN Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SUSTAINED 5 COMPRESSION FRACTURES OF THE SPINE AND HEAD INJURIES DO TO THE FAILURE OF THE SEATBACK LATCHES. SEATBACKS BROKE AND LAID DOWN ON REAR INPACT, CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. AIR BAG DID NOT DIPLOY EITHER.

NHTSA complaint #708702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deltona, FL Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COLLAPSED ALL THE WAY BACK. MANUFACTURER/DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED BY A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #842067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Altamonte Springs, FL 2 injured

SEATS

THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 99V045000) AT THIS TIME FOR ITEMS INVOLED. I DID TAKE IT TO A DEALER THEY AGREE REPAIRS NEED TO BE DONE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITHIN THE DATES OF DEFECTIVE ITEMS RECALL AS WELL AS TYPE OF VEHICLE INVOLVED THEY REFUSE TO QUALIFY MY VEHICLE AS WITHIN RECALL LIMITS STATING MY VIN# IS NOT ON THEIR LIST FOR REPAIRS, YET I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #708309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY Crash

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

I FEEL THAT SATURN MISLED ME. I WILL SEND A COPY OF TWO LETTERS THAT I SENT TO SATURN WHICH WILL EXPLAIN WHY I AM FRUSTRATED. I BELIEVE SATURN WAS AWARE OF THE FLAW IN THEIR SEAT BACK RECLINER AND TOLD ME THAT THE SEAT BACK WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL AS IT DID IN MY WIFE'S ACCIDENT. BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BACK RECLINING UPON REAR IMPACT MY WIFE WAS NO LONGER IN A POSITION TO SEE AND CONTROL THE CAR. I NO LONGER OWN THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALLED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY WITH SATURN AND WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER SATURN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #706939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oviedo, FL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

BOTH FRONT SEAT RECLINER LOCKS FAILED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARD CAUSING CONSUMER TO BUMP INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN MINOR DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #545190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Meado, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CHEMICAL ON AIR FILTER LEAVES GUM DEPOSITS ON VALVES, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SHUDDERING/HESITATING BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 30 MPH AND 60 MPH, ALSO LOOSES ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #532456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, KS

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

PE98008, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARDS UNEXPECTEDLY, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED THE LATCH THAT MOVES THE DRIVER'S SEAT FORWARD AND BACKWARD. NO CURRENT PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #824871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrimack, NH

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE OCCUPANT TURNED TO VIEW THE BACK THEN THE SEAT IMMEDIATELY FELL BACKWARDS ONTO THE BACK SEAT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. ALSO THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT FELL WHILE JUST SITTING THERE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #828022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norwood, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHEN MANUALLY SHIFTING GEARS THE ENGINE BACKFIRES.

NHTSA complaint #541486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Charles, MO

SEAT BELTS

FRONT SHOULDER BELT GUIDE TRACK UNIT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #532294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THE BRAKES ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.

NHTSA complaint #520975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #520975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, NY

SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE:TORQUE ARM

THE TORQUE AXIS TAM. FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE.

NHTSA complaint #520975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albany, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WIPER BLADES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #518545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albany, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ROTORS RUSTED/PITTED.

NHTSA complaint #518545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.