1994 Saturn SW
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1994 Saturn SW. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1994 Saturn SW. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
30 complaints11 involved a crash1 involved a fire14 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment
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
- Vehicle speed control · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.…
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.
- Seats
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Air bags
Driver side airbag did not deploy after hitting a deer head on at 50 mph. Ts
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
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…
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 teardown of the transmission at a cost of $1950 consumer then took vehicle to a local mechanic who performed the work at lower cost, consumer states vehicle now runs great. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Drivers seat failed in rear impact. this car had been previously recalled to replace some part of the seat back.
- Seats
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…
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.
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
The windshield washer reservoir doesn't hold fluid, washers fail when fluid in container.
- Air bags
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…
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.
- Seats
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
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The seatback latch broke, causing the seat back to fall backwards and caused injuries. dealer replaced the latch. *ak
- Seats
Front seats moved back and injured rear passengers during collision, due to seats moving, front passengers received injuries also.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Brake rotors rusted/out of round.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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
- Seat belts
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
- Air bags › Frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Vehicle speed control
Cruise contrl failed to disengage, causing vehicle to accelerate, also replaced generator. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
The valve body ,the rear braking system was replaced . tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front seat back can recline or collapse
- Seat back failures
In its letter dated march 5, 1999, general motors stated that it will recall 136,300 model year 1994 and 1995 saturn vehicle (all models) built between january 1994 and august 1994.during this period, saturn's seat supplier manufactured recliner assemblies which were out of design specification, allowing the front…
In its letter dated march 5, 1999, general motors stated that it will recall 136,300 model year 1994 and 1995 saturn vehicle (all models) built between january 1994 and august 1994.during this period, saturn's seat supplier manufactured recliner assemblies which were out of design specification, allowing the front seat backs to recline or collapse inadvertently.to correct the problem, saturn dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat back recliner assemblies.see nhtsa's safety recall fill 99v-045 for details.
- Cruise control failures
This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system. These…
This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system. These problems were investigated and steps taken by the manufacturer to remedy their occurrences.service procedures were issued for vehicles in use, and a design modification made for new vehicles.no confirmed allegations of failure of the system to disengage upon command were identified.improved quality control procedures and design modificationsin the system were undertaken to ensure a more consistent level of system performance.the details of these findings and the resulting conclusions are contained inthe subject engineering analysis closing report.a safety-related defect trend was not identified at ehis time and further use of agency resources does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
- Cruise control failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10233362This 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-up.
Every Saturn SW model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.