RoadVitals

1993 Saturn Sw

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
27
Latest Aug 23, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 10, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 27 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Saturn Sw, most frequently naming the seat belts, brakes and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts722.6%
  • Brakes619.4%
  • Interior & seats412.9%
  • Driver assistance39.7%
  • Body & structure39.7%
  • Electrical26.5%
  • Transmission26.5%
  • Engine26.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V132000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Aug 10, 1993
352,833 units potentially affected
The defect: THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
The risk: SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V094000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

May 25, 1993
14,459 units potentially affected
The defect: THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. INCORRECTLY FORMED TERMINALS CAN CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95003ClosedEngineering Analysis

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES

Opened Feb 24, 1995
Closed May 31, 1996

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.IMPROVED QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES AND DESIGN MODIFICATIONSIN THE SYSTEM WERE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE A MORE CONSISTENT LEVEL OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.THE DETAILS OF THESE FINDINGS AND THE RESULTING CONCLUSIONS ARE CONTAINED INTHE SUBJECT ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AT EHIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EQUIPMENT
PE94079ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE

Opened Nov 7, 1994
Closed Feb 24, 1995

There is no summary currently available

EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 27
Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10088394
Incident
Aug 23, 2004
Mileage
100,061 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 6, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10041303
Incident
Oct 6, 2003
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2003
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10030609
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Apr 29, 2002

SHOULDER BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING A HARD PLASTIC PIECE TO STICK. ON CONSUMER IN BACK AND TOP OF HEAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
8008798
Incident
Jan 2, 2002
Airbags
Filed Nov 28, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
755017
Incident
Jul 23, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Jan 4, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
877413
Incident
Nov 15, 2000
Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
876749
Incident
Dec 19, 2000
Body & structure
Filed May 2, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
861284
Incident
May 2, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

92-T-40D

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn Sw by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001620—
2000157054.4
1999161046.5
1998270040.1
1997310038.2
1996200035.6
1995362357.7
1994301462.2
1993Viewing272251.9
1992111—
1991010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.