RoadVitals

1994 Saturn Sw Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
30
Latest Feb 6, 2010
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.
12
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 8, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 30 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Saturn Sw. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 30 · page 1 of 2

Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 6, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10307089
Incident
Feb 2, 2010
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 17, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10150547
Incident
Jan 27, 2006
Mileage
115,091 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 2, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10135160
Incident
Aug 13, 2005
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10038889
Incident
Sep 14, 2003
Mileage
94,501 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10000171
Incident
Dec 10, 2002
Mileage
138,677 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
752093
BrakesTransmission
Filed May 16, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
561240
Incident
Feb 6, 2001
BrakesEngine
Filed Oct 20, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
873490
Incident
Apr 10, 2000
Steering
Filed Jun 7, 2000
Crash reportedFire reported2 injuries reported

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.

NHTSA ID
723691
Incident
Jun 2, 2000
Engine
Filed May 22, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
862275
Incident
Jun 1, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Nov 19, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
715020
Incident
Nov 11, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 29, 1999

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.

NHTSA ID
712518
Incident
Sep 29, 1999
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 1999
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
709237
Incident
Jul 24, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 25, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
707892
Incident
Jun 24, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 15, 1998

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.

NHTSA ID
700629
Incident
Nov 14, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 26, 1998
1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
827225
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 25, 1998
4 injuries reported

FRONT SEATS MOVED BACK AND INJURED REAR PASSENGERS DURING COLLISION, DUE TO SEATS MOVING, FRONT PASSENGERS RECEIVED INJURIES ALSO.

NHTSA ID
537061
Incident
May 17, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 19, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE HAD STOPPED TO MAKE A TURN AND WAS HIT IN THE REAR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK, THAT'S ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT BROKE, AND THE DRIVER WAS THROWN OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
819239
Incident
May 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 1997

OWNER HAS ABS BRAKES, OWNER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE ABS BRAKES BUT WITH THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER. THE PISTON FREEZES UP AND STICKS. OWNER NOTES THAT HE HEARD NOISES PRIOR TO BRINGING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
811419
Incident
Feb 20, 1997
Brakes
Filed Apr 15, 1997

BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED/OUT OF ROUND.

NHTSA ID
516429
Incident
Aug 11, 1994
Body & structureBrakesVisibility
Filed Apr 4, 1997

BRAKE REPAIR 4 TIMES--ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
516186
Incident
Aug 11, 1994
Seat belts
Filed Jan 28, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

OWNER WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RELEASED AND HIT DRIVER. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM ACCIDENT DUE TO SEAT BELT FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
806590
Incident
Dec 11, 1996
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Dec 30, 1996
Crash reported

DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY, APPLIED BRAKES (ABS) HARD, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, SLID ABOUT 30 FEET W/BLACK TIRE MARKS BEHIND VEHICLE, REARENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK

NHTSA ID
806861
Incident
Dec 25, 1996
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 18, 1996

CRUISE CONTRL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, ALSO REPLACED GENERATOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
509831
Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 1995

THE VALVE BODY ,THE REAR BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED . TT

NHTSA ID
972168

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.

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