1994 SATURN SW

1 recalls, 41 complaints - 4 TSBs

SEATS

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

138,691 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

41 total complaints 13 crashes 1 fires 15 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	5
SEATS	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	2
SEAT BELTS	2
AIR BAGS	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER	2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER	2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH	1

Incident date: Feb 2, 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

Incident date: Jan 27, 2006

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. SEA... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 27, 2006

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Aug 13, 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 VEH... Read more

Incident date: 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 BUL... Read more

Incident date: Dec 10, 2002

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

Crash 1 injured

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

Incident date: Feb 26, 2001

VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN UPPER VALVE BODY PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED WORSE AFTER THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, DEALERSHIP THEN RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TEARDOW... Read more

Incident date: Feb 6, 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

Incident date: Apr 10, 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

Incident date: Apr 10, 2000

Incident date: Jun 2, 2000

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.

Crash Fire 2 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 1995

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

Incident date: Nov 11, 1999

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

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: 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 ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 11, 1994

BRAKE REPAIR 4 TIMES--ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED.

Incident date: Jul 24, 1999

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'... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jun 24, 1999

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

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Nov 14, 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 VEHIC... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 1998

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

1 injured

Incident date: May 17, 1998

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

4 injured

Incident date: May 1, 1997

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

Crash 1 injured

LOOSE CASSETTES IN THE DOOR POCKET CAUSING RATTLE.

Incident date: Dec 6, 1996

THE BRAKES FAILED.

Incident date: Mar 28, 1997

THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR DOESN'T HOLD FLUID, WASHERS FAIL WHEN FLUID IN CONTAINER.

Incident date: Jun 12, 1996

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED.

Incident date: Jun 29, 1995

BRAKE PADS REPLACED.

Incident date: Aug 11, 1994

BRAKE ROTORS RUSTED/OUT OF ROUND.

Incident date: Feb 20, 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

Incident date: Dec 11, 1996

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

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Dec 25, 1996

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

Crash

Incident date: Dec 25, 1996

Crash

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

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

Incident date: Aug 28, 1995

DOOR MOUNTED SEAT BELTS DO NOT RELEASE WHEN DOOR IS OPEN,INSTEAD THEY TIGHTEN. TT

Incident date: Jun 17, 1995

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN TOTALLED ACCIDENT. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Mar 8, 1995

FOUR DOORS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. *TW

Incident date: Mar 8, 1995

ENGINE VALVES STICKING. *TW

Incident date: May 8, 1995

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL, HAD AN ACCIDENT. TT

Crash

Incident date: Jan 1, 1994

CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SWITCH OFF WHILE DRIVING. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1994 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	29.0	24.0	Regular	$2,600
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	34.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200

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, 1994 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

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-

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

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.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2001	2	6	View
2000	7	18	View
1999	1	23	View
1998	0	31	View
1997	0	35	View
1996	0	31	View
1995	2	52	View
1994 (current)	1	41
1993	2	35	View
1992	1	2	View
1991	1	0	View

Other SATURN Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
ION	40	5,467	View
AURA	34	2,223	View
SL	29	2,891	View
SKY	22	623	View
OUTLOOK	21	1,939	View
SC	20	379	View
LS	16	1,885	View
SC1	13	554	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1994 SATURN SW

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1994 SATURN SW

Technical Service Bulletins, 1994 SATURN SW

Most Affected Components

SATURN SW - All Years Overview

SATURN SW - Year by Year

Other SATURN Models