1995 Saturn SW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 20 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 | 8 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10002701 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
THE CYLINDER HEADS OF SOME SATURN CARS CRACK AND THE OIL MIXES WITH THE COOLANT. THE SATURN MANUFACTURER WILL NOT FIX THE CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD ON MY SW1 BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRENTY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT. A CYLINER HEAD SHOULD NOT CRACK - ESCPECIALLY WITH ONLY 69,000 MILES. THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE, EVEN WROTE TWO TECHNICAL BULLETONS ON IT. I THINK SATURN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED CONSTOMERS AND THEY SHOULD FIX MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003378 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
THE DEFROSTER WORKS SOMETIMES -- ONLY IF I PUT ON THE AC AT THE SAME TIME -- AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY IT STOPS WORKING AND THE FRONT WINDOW SHIELD AS WELL AS THE SIDE ONES FOG UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. A SATURN MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE HAS 4 CARS AND WHAT I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED ONLY HAPPENS ON HIS SATURN. WE HAVE TRIED VARIYING THE TEMPURATURE, OPENING THE WINDOWS ETC. MOSTLY I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS FLAW.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010139 · 2003-03-08 (March 8, 2003)
I RECEIVED NOTICE REGARDING THE SEAT BACK OF MY 1995 SATURN WAGON. MY CAR DOES EXHIBIT WHAT WAS DESCRIBED - WHEN I LEAN BACK ON THE SEAT IT RECLINES BACKWARDS. I SCHEDULED THE REPAIR TO BE DONE AT THE LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HURRICANE, WV. I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I TOOK IT IN THAT THEY SAID MY CAR WAS FINISHED IN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I GOT IN AND LEANED BACK TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON, THE SEAT FELL BACK INTO A RECLINING POSITION. WHEN I ASKED WHAT HAD THEY DONE, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY CAR WAS BUILT ONE MONTH PRIOR TO TIME PERIOD THEY COVERED AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024067 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THE SEAT BELT LATCH DID NOT CONSISTENTLY LATCH TO THE BELT METAL CONTACT. *AK *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028429 · 2003-07-16 (July 16, 2003)
OIL CONSUMPTION, CAUSED A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10179143 · 2007-01-19 (January 19, 2007)
I BOUGHT A 1995 SATURN FROM PRECISION TUNE AUTO. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEANED, AND WIRING FIXED. NO MENTION OF SEAT PROBLEM. THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME FAILURE WITH TOP PART OF SEAT, TO FALL BACK FOR SOME REASON. FRONT SEAT. TROUBLE WITH CAR. BAD GAS MILEAGE, ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE VALVE TROUBLE, NO POWER ON HILL, GEAR SHIFT STICKS, CLUNK IN REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY, BLEEDING BRAKE LINE, BACK BRAKES. CVC CLICKING, AND SO ON. HIT ON AUG. 22, 2006. NOT SURE IF THIS CAUSED ALL THE ABOVE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10216859 · 2008-02-04 (February 4, 2008)
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 1995 SATURN SW! WAGON AT 50 MPH ON FREEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT. SHE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROADWAY. INITIAL INSPECTION INDICATED A BROKEN AXLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY SATURN MECHANIC, VEHICLES ENGINE CRADLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE ENGINE CRADLE BROKE DURING OPERATION IT FORCE ITSELF AND OTHER PARTS TO BREAK CAUSING MY WIFE TO LOSE ALL CONTROL. THE SATURN MECHANIC SAYS IN 7 YEARS HE HAS ONLY SEEN 2 OTHER CASES OF CORROSION AFFECTING THE ENGINE CRADL…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10440907 · 2011-12-21 (December 21, 2011)
SOHC LK0/L24 (FROM HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/SATURN_I4_ENGINE#SOHC_LK0.2FL24) THE SOHC (LK0/L24) CYLINDER HEAD HAD 8 VALVES AND WAS MADE OF LOST FOAM CAST ALUMINUM. THE CAMSHAFT WAS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE CYLINDER HEAD AND DRIVEN BY A CHAIN OFF THE FRONT CRANKSHAFT SPROCKET. MOTION FROM THE CAMSHAFT WAS TRANSMITTED TO THE EIGHT VALVES BY THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS AND ROCKER ARMS. THE LK0 ENGINE FIRST USED TBI (THROTTLE BODY INJECTION) FOR FUEL DELIVERY AND WAS RATED AT 85 HP (63 KW) AND 110 FTLBF (149 NM) OF TORQUE FROM 1991 TO 1994.…
Owner-reported narrative. 163,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10440907 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.
94V217000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
Reported: 1994-11-08 (November 8, 1994)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V045000 · Seats
Reported: 1999-03-12 (March 12, 1999)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗