1993 SATURN SW
2 recalls, 35 complaints - 4 TSBs
93V132000 Aug 10, 1993
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Defect Description
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence
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... Read more
Remedy
THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
93V094000 May 25, 1993
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.
Complaint Statistics
35 total complaints
1 crashes 2 fires 1 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| CHILD SEAT | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Aug 23, 2004
Incident date: 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
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Oct 6, 2003
Incident date: 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... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
Aug 1, 2003
Incident date: Aug 1, 2003
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 T... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
Aug 1, 2003
Incident date: Aug 1, 2003
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 T... Read more
Fire
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Apr 29, 2002
Incident date: Jan 2, 2002
SHOULDER BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING A HARD PLASTIC PIECE TO STICK. ON CONSUMER IN BACK AND TOP OF HEAD. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Nov 30, 2001
Incident date: Jul 23, 1998
THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK
Crash
1 injured
SEAT BELTS
Jan 4, 2001
Incident date: Nov 15, 2000
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Dec 19, 2000
Incident date: 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
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
May 2, 2000
Incident date: 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 CONT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Nov 5, 1999
Incident date: Jan 9, 1998
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 BATT... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Aug 31, 1999
Incident date: Aug 29, 1999
THE SHOULDER HARNESS REPEATEDLY FAILS. LOCAL SATURN KNOWS OF PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO DEFICIENT DESIGN/LOCATION OF CONTROL MODULE.
SEAT BELTS
Jun 4, 1999
Incident date: Jan 22, 1999
STITCHES ON THE SEAT BELT ARE COMING LOOSE, AND SEAT BELT ISN'T SUPPORTING THE CONSUMER THAT IS USING THE SEAT BELT. *AK
CHILD SEAT
May 24, 1999
EVEN SATURN CANT FIND US A CHILD SAFTY SEAT THAT FITS THIS CAR FOR A 30# CHILD. *AK
SEAT BELTS
Dec 22, 1998
Incident date: Apr 1, 1998
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. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 1998
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 DIFFERE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 1998
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 DIFFERE... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 1998
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 DIFFERE... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 1998
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 DIFFERE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Jul 20, 1998
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 DIFFERE... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Sep 25, 1998
Incident date: Apr 1, 1998
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. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Jun 24, 1998
Incident date: Mar 18, 1998
VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING LAG TIME IN ENGAGEMENT OF GEARS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Dec 16, 1997
Incident date: Dec 12, 1997
TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LOOSENED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Oct 29, 1997
WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Oct 29, 1997
WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
Jul 17, 1997
DISC BRAKES WARPED.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Jun 27, 1997
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Nov 27, 1996
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED DUE TO A STICKING THROTTLE, WHILE IN PARK IT HAS HIGH IDLE - 2000 RPMS, WHEN GEAR IS CHANGED IT WILL NOT REDUCE THE RPMS. *AK
CHILD SEAT
Aug 9, 1996
VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT NEED TO USE TETHER STRAP. HE HAS TALKED WITH EVENFLO, SATURN AND NHTSA AND STILL HAS NO CONCLUSION OF PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
STRUCTURE
Aug 9, 1996
VEHICLE IS NOT DESIGNED FOR CHILD SAFETY SEATS THAT NEED TO USE TETHER STRAP. HE HAS TALKED WITH EVENFLO, SATURN AND NHTSA AND STILL HAS NO CONCLUSION OF PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
SEATS
May 6, 1996
Incident date: Apr 30, 1996
DRIVERS SEAT TRACK AN ANCHORS ARE BROKEN, CAUSING SEAT TO INCLINED POSITION. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
Jan 3, 1996
Incident date: Jan 3, 1996
EXCESSIVE BRAKE COMPONENT WEAR, REPLACED ROTORS, AND PADS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Jan 3, 1996
Incident date: Jan 3, 1996
EXCESSIVE BRAKE COMPONENT WEAR, REPLACED ROTORS, AND PADS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Jul 18, 1995
BRAKES ARE UNSAFE-NOT OPERATING PROPERLY-BRAKES PEDAL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND HAVE GRINDING NOISE. TT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 28, 1995
Incident date: Nov 1, 1994
IN VERY COLD WEATHER THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK CAR HAS TO BE OPERATING TEMP OR (WARM) FOR IT TO WORK. TT
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Mar 6, 1995
Incident date: Mar 2, 1995
C R LEAKS WATER AND DAUGHTER CHOKED FROM DRIPPING. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
EPA Fuel Economy, 1993 SATURN SW
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 22.0 | 32.0 | 26.0 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 30.0 | 24.0 | Regular | $2,600 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 24.0 | 33.0 | 28.0 | Regular | $2,200 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 32.0 | 25.0 | Regular | $2,500 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Small Station Wagons)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1993 SATURN SW
4 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| 061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) | 1 |
92-T-40D
Mar 10, 2023
110000 ELECTRICAL 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-
92-T-40D
Mar 10, 2023
138000 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-
92-T-40D
Mar 10, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
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-
130089009
Sep 1, 2013
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
SATURN SW - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the SATURN SW across all model years (1991, 2001).
17
Total Recalls
274
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
41
Reported Crashes
12
Reported Fires
2
Reported Deaths
SATURN SW - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.