1994 Saturn SW problems
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Saturn SW. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 29% of complaints. Next are cruise control (15%) and seats (15%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 41 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 29% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 15 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 13 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 15 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 99% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1994 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Saturn SW with enough data (25 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".