1993 Saturn SW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
77,531 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 28.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay | 1 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Child Seat: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Relay: 1; Electrical System:Starter Assembly:Solenoid: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10030609 · 2003-08-01 (August 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 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 S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041303 · 2003-10-06 (October 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
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088394 · 2004-08-23 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. 100,061 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 755017 · 2001-11-28 (November 28, 2001)
THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 755017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800684 · 1996-08-09 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8008798 · 2002-04-29 (April 29, 2002)
SHOULDER BELT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, CAUSING A HARD PLASTIC PIECE TO STICK. ON CONSUMER IN BACK AND TOP OF HEAD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861284 · 2000-05-02 (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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876749 · 2000-12-19 (December 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876749 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V094000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1993-05-25 (May 25, 1993)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗93V132000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 1993-08-10 (August 10, 1993)
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 WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗