1993 Saturn SW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
77,531 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 27 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 25.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Child Seat | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Seat Belts: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Child Seat: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 25 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 4 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 5; 1997: 3; 1998: 4; 1999: 4; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 601981 · 1996-10-25 (October 25, 1996)
DISC BRAKES WARPED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 601981 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 817870 · 1997-10-29 (October 29, 1997)
WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 817870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 852609 · 1999-11-05 (November 5, 1999)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 30MPH VEHICLE DIED OUT. RECEIVED A JUMP START FROM AAA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START THAT SATURDAY. THE ALTERNATORS KEPT BLOWING OUT. FIRST ONE BLEW OUT IN 1998 & WAS BRAND NEW. THE OTHER TWO FOLLOWED NOT LONG AFTERWARDS. EACH TIME THEY WOULD BLOW OUT, THEY WOULD BURN OUT BATTERY. WOULD GET NEW ALTERNATOR & BATTERY EACH TIME AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 852609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 861284 · 2000-05-02 (May 2, 2000)
BRACKET UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS BROKE AND RUSTED, AND WAS STILL HOLDING BY A PLATE. THE BRACKET HOLDS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ELECTRICAL WIRE AWAY FROM OTHER WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT CHAFING AND FAILURE OF THE WIRE. THE RIVET HAD BRAOKEN AND THE WIRE INSULATION WAS RUBBED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE OWNER MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 534652 · 1998-04-23 (April 23, 1998)
VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING LAG TIME IN ENGAGEMENT OF GEARS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 534652 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
27 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 27.4%ODI 820000TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LOOSENED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK | 310.0%ODI 10038889 · 94,501 miOIL 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 | 513.9% | 315.0%ODI 10054109 · 27,000 miTHE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ENGINE'S HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 27.4%ODI 10044503WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 320.0%ODI 10043961WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 27.4%ODI 10088394 · 100,061 miA KNOWN FAULT IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION VALVE ASSEMBLY OF MY 1993 SATURN SW1 IS NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IS ADMITTED BY THE MANUFACTUER AND CAN BE FIXED AT MY EXPENCE WITH NO REEMBURSMENT OFFERED.*AK | 13.3%ODI 561240VEHICLE 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 | 411.1%ODI 10002701THE 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. | 15.0%ODI 746521WITH THE GASKET FAILURE, THE OIL AND COOLANT MIXED WITHIN THE ENGINE, THE DEALER HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED OUT AND I HAD IT BACK IN 1 WEEK, 2 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING TO WORK , IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 2RD GEAR,. HAD TO DRIVE IT DOWN TO THE DEALER'S 2.5 HOURS FROM HOME . GOT IT BACK 1 WEEK LATER. EVER SINCE THE ENGINE WAS WORKED ON WE'VE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE LEAKAGE WAS IN NORMAL RANGE . WE USE 1-3 QTS EVERY MONTH . | 39.7%ODI 10149963 · 90,100 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. | 27.4% | 16.3%ODI 10071417 · 37,000 miWHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE JERKED. CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND VEHICLE JERKED AGAIN AND SMOKED BADLY. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT DIFFERENTIAL PIN CAME OUT AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 27.4%ODI 817870WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK | 516.7%ODI 10150547 · 115,091 miDT*: 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 NOT… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.0%ODI 813124SPEED CONTROL: DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, ATTEMPTING TO EXIT ON A OFF RAMP, TRIED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT GO OFF, COULD NOT BRAKE. EXITED OFF RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN, ENTERED ANOTHER HIGHWAY, HIT CURB AND MEDIAN, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK *NLM | 13.2%ODI 722657THROTTLE HANGS AND "RATCHETS" UPWARD WITH SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL ENGAGED. TURNING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO "OFF" DOES NOT CORRECT THE CONDITION, NEITHER DOES APPLYING THE BRAKES. MANUALLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO UN-STICK THE THROTTLE CAUSED FURTHER UPWARD "RATCHETING" OF THE THROTTLE AND FURTHER INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. VEHICLE REMAINS IN A STATE OF "RUNAWAY" UNTIL THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF. SWITCHING THE IGNITION "OFF" USUALLY CORRECTS THE CONDITION. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS: DECEMBER, 1999; AND MAY 13, … | 311.1% | 16.3%ODI 551538STEPPING ON THE BRAKE CAUSED THE IDLE TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 10041303 · 55,000 miDRIVER'S SEAT BACK WON'T "HOLD" POSITION. FALLS BACK UNDER WEIGHT. PROBLEM CONTINUING FOR YEARS. I INFORMED DEALER WHO SIMPLY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE SEAT. I NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR ANY SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS THAT I DO NOT FEEL I CAN, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SELL THIS CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE.*JB | 26.7%ODI 819239VEHICLE 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 | 513.9%ODI 10010139I 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 … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 838439CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT AT AN IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, CAUSING BOTH FRONT SEATS TO FALL BACKWARD; DEALER/MFR. NOTIFED AND HAD NOTHING POSTIVE TO SAY. SEEKING INFORMATION FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK | 16.3%ODI 728058MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER (AGE 4) WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 27, 2000 IN OUR 1999 SATURN SW1. THEY WERE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THEY WERE REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45PMH. UPON IMPACT NIETHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO), BUT THE MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SPRINGS BROKE COLLAPSING THE DRIVERS SEAT AND LEFT MY HUSBAND LANDING IN THE BACK SEAT, HIS FOOT FALLING FROM THE BRAKE AND ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 12-15MPH. MY HUSBAND ENDED UP INJURED WITH A THORACIC STRAIN. MY DAUGH… | 16.7%ODI 10007113THE BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.*JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 311.1%ODI 817870WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK | 310.0%ODI 752093BRACKET 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 | 12.8% | 210.0%ODI 754821DRIVING ON BACK ROAD, BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TO USE ENGINE BRAKING AND HAND BRAKE TO SLOW OR STOP CAR. GAS STATION ATTENDANT REPORTED FULL BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. NORMAL BRAKING RESUMED SPONTANEOUSLY ON WAY HOME. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. *AK | 26.5%ODI 605742ANTI LOCK BRAKES MAKE SHRILL NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES WORN EXCESSIVELY. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 984104DRIVERS SEAT TRACK AN ANCHORS ARE BROKEN, CAUSING SEAT TO INCLINED POSITION. *AK | 413.3%ODI 10135160DT: 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. … | 12.8%ODI 766057I 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 FRO… | 15.0%ODI 10189019REGARDING A WIRE THAT BROKE OFF ON THE SEAT OF HIS 1996 SATURN SW2 WAGON AND IS STICKING UP VERTICALLY -WIRE WENT THROUGH HIS PANTS AND SKIN**CC CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED SATURN ESTABLISHMENT AND WAS INFORMED BY SATURN FACTORY TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER ENTERING THE CAR INCORRECTLY. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 735104SEATS COLLAPSED WHEN REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT--IF PASSENGER WAS IN BACK SEAT, THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS INJURY. IF IT'S A SMALL CHILD, DEATH FROM THE IMPACT OF THE COLLAPSING SEAT COULD CAUSE DEATH.*AK | 16.3%ODI 550198DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SEATS, WHICH ARE ANGLED BACK FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, THE CHILD SAFETY SEATS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURIES IF IN ACCIDENT. *MJS | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 755017THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK | 13.3%ODI 806861DRIVING 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 | 25.6%ODI 766057I 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 FRO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.2%ODI 522623FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. | 13.7%ODI 830449CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT GOING SOUTH. THE PERSON WAS DRIVING NORTH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN TOO SHORT, AND IN THE PROCESS THEY HIT EACH OTHER. CONSUMER'S AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS HURT, SUFFERED A HAIRLIKE FRACTURE ON HER TAIL BONE. *AK | 212.5%ODI 728058MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER (AGE 4) WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 27, 2000 IN OUR 1999 SATURN SW1. THEY WERE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THEY WERE REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45PMH. UPON IMPACT NIETHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO), BUT THE MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SPRINGS BROKE COLLAPSING THE DRIVERS SEAT AND LEFT MY HUSBAND LANDING IN THE BACK SEAT, HIS FOOT FALLING FROM THE BRAKE AND ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 12-15MPH. MY HUSBAND ENDED UP INJURED WITH A THORACIC STRAIN. MY DAUGH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 13.7%ODI 969052BRAKES ARE UNSAFE-NOT OPERATING PROPERLY-BRAKES PEDAL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND HAVE GRINDING NOISE. TT | 26.7% | 38.3% | 15.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 565516CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A HOT SPOT ON THE BRAKE DISC WHICH CAUSES RUBBING, THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OD DRIVEABILITY OR MISHANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.*MJ | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 100,061 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10088394 · 100,061 miA KNOWN FAULT IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMITION VALVE ASSEMBLY OF MY 1993 SATURN SW1 IS NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT IS ADMITTED BY THE MANUFACTUER AND CAN BE FIXED AT MY EXPENCE WITH NO REEMBURSMENT OFFERED.*AK |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2000: 6 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Seat Belts | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Child Seat | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Structure:Frame And Members | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 817870WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK |
| Child Seat | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 831123WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 831123WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE UP ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WASN'T STARTING. ALSO, CONSUMER HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED AND THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT AGAIN. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STILL IS ON. BACK WINDSHIELD AND DOOR LOCKS ARE NOT WORKING, AND THE DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 0 | 1ODI 817870WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.