IllustrationFAN DID NOT WORK, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND EXPAND. YD
1995 Saturn Sw
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Saturn Sw do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sw years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 36 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
36 reportsWHILE 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
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." UNFO…
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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.
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, AND HER AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK *ML
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 DESP…
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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
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HESITATES WHEN SWITCHING TO REVERSE CAUSING DIFFICULTY WHEN PARKING, VALVE BODY REPLACED. *YC
VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK
CONSUMER FEELS MANUFACTURERS DECISION NOT TO ISSUE RECALL ON POSSIBLE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKS IRRESPONSIBLE. NLM
SEAT BACK CAUSES CONSUMER BACK INJURY/PAIN DUE TO DESIGN. NLM
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…
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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
Official recalls
299V045000 · Seats
Mar 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 & remedy
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.
94V217000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly:pedal/hand Lever(motorcycle)
Nov 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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3RQ00005 · Front Seat Back Can Recline Or Collapse
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Aug 19, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.
EA95003 · Cruise Control Failures
Opened Feb 24, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
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.
PE94079 · Cruise Control Failure
Opened Nov 7, 1994 · Closed Feb 24, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available