1995 Saturn SW
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1995 Saturn SW. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1995 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.
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."
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
36 complaints5 involved a crash1 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or other
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…
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. the L24 engine received mpfi (multi-port fuel injection) in 1995 which increased power output to 100 hp (75 kw) and 114 ftlbf (155 nm). This engine was used from 1995 to 2002. the SOHC engine was available on the base model s-series vehicles (SC1, SL, SL1, sw, SW1) 1992 through 1998 L24 cylinder heads developed issues with cracks developing in the fifth camshaft journal, located closest to #4 cylinder. The hairline crack would develop between the oil feed port of that journal and the coolant passages in the cylinder head. Symptoms would range from overheating to low coolant, however, most cars affected by this issue exhibited oil migration into the cooling system. The resulting mixture of the two fluids would result in a thick brown "milkshake"-like mixture, visible in the coolant overflow tank. saturn released unadvertised policy which would cover this issue, extending the warranty on the cylinder head to 6 years or 100,000 miles (160K km). repair required the replacement of the cylinder head. And flushing of the coolant system. Badly affected cars would see coolant in the oil, as well as oil in the coolant, and would require the replacement of the complete engine assembly. until the cylinder head casting was redesigned ... *tr
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
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…
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 cradle in this severity. *Tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner · Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Oil consumption, caused a blown engine. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Drivers side seat belt locked up. the seat belt latch did not consistently latch to the belt metal contact. *ak *cb *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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…
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 no work was done to my car. *nlm
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system · Visibility › Windshield
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…
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.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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.
- Air bags › Frontal · Seats
I was stopped on an interstate, and rear ended by a chevrolet sedan. it slammed my car into a minivan in front of me. the front and back of my car accordianed, and my car was a total loss. neither front air bag deployed, and the front passenger seat flipped back and pinned the back passenger in…
I was stopped on an interstate, and rear ended by a chevrolet sedan. it slammed my car into a minivan in front of me. the front and back of my car accordianed, and my car was a total loss. neither front air bag deployed, and the front passenger seat flipped back and pinned the back passenger in the seat behind. no one was injured, but I feel that an accident which completely squished my car (also causing structural damage to the frame, only the driver's side door would open after the accident) should have had the airbags deploy, and the front seat should not have flipped back.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
This vehicle uses an excessive amount of oil. I must add at least one quart every 200-300 miles.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
Fan did not work, causing engine to overheat and expand. yd
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
While driving the consumers brakes failed, the pedal bottomed out about one inch above the floor, took vehicle to dealer but they couln't find any problems. nlm
- Exterior lighting
This report IS not about my vehicle; it IS about all vehicles with a factory drl system installed. most drl systems turn on only the headlights. this IS dangerous! the operator sees light on the highway from the drl controlled headlights and IS lulled into feeling safe, thinking "my lights are…
This report IS not about my vehicle; it IS about all vehicles with a factory drl system installed. most drl systems turn on only the headlights. this IS dangerous! the operator sees light on the highway from the drl controlled headlights and IS lulled into feeling safe, thinking "my lights are on, everybody can see me." unfortunately, the driver IS only half right." the vehicle can not be seen from behind, because the parking lights are not on. "ok" you will say. "what about the vehicles that use 'bright front parking lights'?" well, here in oregon, the use of parking lights "only" IS against the law. oregon says "when ever parking lights are used, the headlights must be on." my vehicle does not have a factory installed drl system. I had an aftermarket system, patterned after the subaru's, recently installed. when ever the vehicle's ignition key IS in the run position, the 'stalk' that controlls the exterior lights IS active, which means that where ever that light switch IS positoned, when I start the car, that's what lights are on (or off) and when I remove the ignition key, all lights (that may have been on) go off.
- Air bags › Frontal
Consumer was driving on the interstate when another vehicle hit the passenger's side, and her airbag didn't deploy. *ak *ML
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission has a delay of up to three seconds when shifted into reverse when the car IS at operating temperature. This condition causes the vehicle to jerk backward suddenly and without warning. The vehicle has nearly collided into fixed objects/non-moving vehicles on several occasions.…
Automatic transmission has a delay of up to three seconds when shifted into reverse when the car IS at operating temperature. This condition causes the vehicle to jerk backward suddenly and without warning. The vehicle has nearly collided into fixed objects/non-moving vehicles on several occasions. This condition IS ongoing despite regular annual transmission fluid/filter changes by dealer and owner. This condition has also been reported by other saturn auto transmission owners, regardless of model, on the saturn disscussion group site at rec.autos.makers.saturn the problem IS most dangerous when throttle IS applied. Rapid application of reverse IS dangerous and unpredictable such as overshooting and correcting for a crosswalk at a stoplight, drive through window at parking lot or fast food resturant, three point turns in heavy traffic, etc. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission hesitates when switching to reverse causing difficulty when parking, valve body replaced. *yc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer feels manufacturers decision not to issue recall on possible cylinder head cracks irresponsible. nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Vehicle stalled and died. dealer has replaced fuel pump. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Seat back causes consumer back injury/pain due to design. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal · Unknown or other
Was driving a noise was heard coming from the engine. Took to dealer & engine oil had leaked out. The oil light had malfunctioned on panel. The engine had to be rebuilt. Piston rod rings/ cylinder/crankshaft & bearings need replacing also. The axle seal was replaced five times. Transmission leaks oil on the housing area & it was cracked. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Extreme road noise from date of purchase, left front door never seals airtight
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
A cracked engine gasket has allowed oil to contaminate the coolant compartment. this has resulted in a thick mixture of oil and coolant.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle failed. Qcaw
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
Saturn area service manager says that the original brake pads were too hard, they've changed them to a softer pad. The first time changed at 13,740 miles, second time at 30,000 and now at 37,000. Consumer IS out of warranty, but that's not the problem. saturn says it's design and consumer feels he should not pay for manufacturer's design problems. Softer pads do not wear as fast but still wear out. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Antilock brakes failed, causing accident.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front seat back can recline or collapse
- 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
- 10233364This 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
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