Owners have filed 35 complaints
about the 1993 Saturn SW with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 8 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the Saturn SW. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 59
11.4% 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.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Saturn SW
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
720.0%
Seat Belts
514.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
38.6%
Body & Structure
38.6%
Electrical System
38.6%
0 crashes, 2 fires
Engine & Cooling
38.6%
Child Seats
25.7%
Doors, Latches & Locks
25.7%
Seats
25.7%
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
25.7%
Median failure at 100,061 miles
Other & Unspecified
12.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.9%
Airbags
12.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
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 1995peak 5Aug 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Saturn SW
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.
EA95003Opened 24 Feb 1995Closed 31 May 1996EQUIPMENT
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES
THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS WERE INVESTIGATED AND STEPS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THEIR OCCURRENCES.SERVICE PROCEDURES WERE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES IN USE, AND A DESIGN MODIFICATION MADE FOR NEW VEHICLES.NO CONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE UPON COMMAND WERE IDENTIFIED.IMPRO...
PE94079Opened 7 Nov 1994Closed 24 Feb 1995EQUIPMENT
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
Recalls on the 1993 Saturn SW
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199310823,367 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a short circuit in the generator could cause excessive current flow in the generator wiring harness resulting in overheating and a possible engine compartment fire. Correction: Generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open, as a fuse would under these conditions, to eliminate the potential for an underhood fire.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Waikoloa, HIFire
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10030609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waikoloa, HIFire
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10030609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark Valley, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD.
NHTSA complaint #755017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,061 milesMerrimack, NH
POWER 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.
NHTSA complaint #10088394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesThornton, CO
SEATS: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.
NHTSA complaint #10041303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waikoloa, HIFire
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10030609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waikoloa, HIFire
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #10030609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SHOULDER BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING A HARD PLASTIC PIECE TO STICK. ON CONSUMER IN BACK AND TOP OF HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #8008798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark Valley, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD.
NHTSA complaint #755017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrbore, NC
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #877413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hopkins, MN
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #876749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guilderland, NY
STRUCTURE: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
NHTSA complaint #861284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, MN
ELECTRICAL 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.
NHTSA complaint #852609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merritt Island, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE SHOULDER HARNESS REPEATEDLY FAILS. LOCAL SATURN KNOWS OF PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO DEFICIENT DESIGN/LOCATION OF CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #710735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Golden Valley, MN
SEAT BELTS
STITCHES ON THE SEAT BELT ARE COMING LOOSE, AND SEAT BELT ISN'T SUPPORTING THE CONSUMER THAT IS USING THE SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #838859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buddlake, NJ
CHILD SEAT
EVEN SATURN CANT FIND US A CHILD SAFTY SEAT THAT FITS THIS CAR FOR A 30# CHILD.
NHTSA complaint #706816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goldvein, VA
SEAT 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.
NHTSA complaint #832576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
VISIBILITY: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.
NHTSA complaint #831123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #831123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN 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.
NHTSA complaint #831123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
LATCHES/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.
NHTSA complaint #831123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ENGINE 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.
NHTSA complaint #831123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beltsville, MD
SERVICE 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.
NHTSA complaint #828236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macedonia, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING LAG TIME IN ENGAGEMENT OF GEARS.
NHTSA complaint #534652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gross City, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LOOSENED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #820000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westwood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED.
NHTSA complaint #817870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westwood, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED.
NHTSA complaint #817870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hicksville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
DISC BRAKES WARPED.
NHTSA complaint #601981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.