U.S. public vehicle records

Saturn SW brakes problems

44 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.

Key facts

209 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

90,100 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 to 2001 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 35 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Braking behavior evidence

44 of 209 complaints match this topic (21.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.

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 828236 · 1998-09-25 (September 25, 1998)

ABS BRAKES FAILED. AFTER STARTING AND PULLING OUT AT A SLOW SPEED, 4 MPH, THE BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER STATES THAT IT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 828236 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 876749 · 2000-12-19 (December 19, 2000)

WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER BRAKES WILL MALFUNCTION, AND WILL NOT WORK AS DURING DRY/WARMER WEATHER, COULD STEP ON BRAKES AND OPERATE AS SHOULD BE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876749 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

209 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

16.7%Usable mileage35 / 209 records

82.3%Valid incident date172 / 209 records

100.0%Valid filing date209 / 209 records

82.3%Ordered incident and filing dates172 / 209 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 820000 TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LOOSENED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK Look up ODI 820000 at NHTSA ↗	310.0% ODI 10038889 · 94,501 mi 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 Look up ODI 10038889 at NHTSA ↗	513.9% ODI 10028429 OIL CONSUMPTION, CAUSED A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK Look up ODI 10028429 at NHTSA ↗	315.0% ODI 10054109 · 27,000 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10054109 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 10044503 WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK Look up ODI 10044503 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	320.0% ODI 10043961 WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.*AK Look up ODI 10043961 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 10088394 · 100,061 mi A 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 Look up ODI 10088394 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 561240 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 Look up ODI 561240 at NHTSA ↗	411.1% ODI 10002701 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. Look up ODI 10002701 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 746521 WITH 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 . Look up ODI 746521 at NHTSA ↗	39.7% ODI 10149963 · 90,100 mi DT*: 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. Look up ODI 10149963 at NHTSA ↗	27.4% ODI 528432 TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, CAUSING VIBRATION. Look up ODI 528432 at NHTSA ↗	16.3% ODI 10071417 · 37,000 mi WHILE 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 Look up ODI 10071417 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	27.4% ODI 817870 WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK Look up ODI 817870 at NHTSA ↗	516.7% ODI 10150547 · 115,091 mi 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 NOT… Look up ODI 10150547 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	15.0% ODI 813124 SPEED 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 Look up ODI 813124 at NHTSA ↗	13.2% ODI 722657 THROTTLE 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, … Look up ODI 722657 at NHTSA ↗	311.1% ODI 608650 CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. YH Look up ODI 608650 at NHTSA ↗	16.3% ODI 551538 STEPPING ON THE BRAKE CAUSED THE IDLE TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. YH Look up ODI 551538 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 10041303 · 55,000 mi DRIVER'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 Look up ODI 10041303 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 819239 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 Look up ODI 819239 at NHTSA ↗	513.9% ODI 10010139 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 … Look up ODI 10010139 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 838439 CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 838439 at NHTSA ↗	16.3% ODI 728058 MY 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… Look up ODI 728058 at NHTSA ↗	16.7% ODI 10007113 THE BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.*JB Look up ODI 10007113 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	311.1% ODI 817870 WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK Look up ODI 817870 at NHTSA ↗	310.0% ODI 752093 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 Look up ODI 752093 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 515571 ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 515571 at NHTSA ↗	210.0% ODI 754821 DRIVING 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 Look up ODI 754821 at NHTSA ↗	26.5% ODI 605742 ANTI LOCK BRAKES MAKE SHRILL NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES WORN EXCESSIVELY. Look up ODI 605742 at NHTSA ↗	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	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 984104 DRIVERS SEAT TRACK AN ANCHORS ARE BROKEN, CAUSING SEAT TO INCLINED POSITION. *AK Look up ODI 984104 at NHTSA ↗	413.3% ODI 10135160 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. … Look up ODI 10135160 at NHTSA ↗	12.8% ODI 766057 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 FRO… Look up ODI 766057 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 10189019 REGARDING 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 Look up ODI 10189019 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 735104 SEATS 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 Look up ODI 735104 at NHTSA ↗	16.3% ODI 550198 DUE 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 Look up ODI 550198 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 755017 THE HIGH SPEED AIRBAG DAMAGED THE DRIVER'S FACE, BREAKING TEETH, GLASSES, AND BITE GUARD. *AK Look up ODI 755017 at NHTSA ↗	13.3% ODI 806861 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 Look up ODI 806861 at NHTSA ↗	25.6% ODI 766057 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 FRO… Look up ODI 766057 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.2% ODI 522623 FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. Look up ODI 522623 at NHTSA ↗	13.7% ODI 830449 CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 830449 at NHTSA ↗	212.5% ODI 728058 MY 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… Look up ODI 728058 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.7% ODI 969052 BRAKES ARE UNSAFE-NOT OPERATING PROPERLY-BRAKES PEDAL GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND HAVE GRINDING NOISE. TT Look up ODI 969052 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 516186 BRAKE REPAIR 4 TIMES--ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED. Look up ODI 516186 at NHTSA ↗	38.3% ODI 478155 BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. Look up ODI 478155 at NHTSA ↗	15.0% ODI 508877 RIM BENT. Look up ODI 508877 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	16.3% ODI 565516 CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 565516 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	51,000–97,875 mi	74,251 mi	6	ODI 10038889 · 94,501 mi 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 Look up ODI 10038889 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10054109 · 27,000 mi THE 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 Look up ODI 10054109 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	94,550 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10088394 · 100,061 mi A 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 Look up ODI 10088394 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149963 · 90,100 mi DT*: 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. Look up ODI 10149963 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	115,091 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10150547 · 115,091 mi 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 NOT… Look up ODI 10150547 at NHTSA ↗
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	Too few reports for a range	77,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10041303 · 55,000 mi DRIVER'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 Look up ODI 10041303 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2000: 6 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Vehicle Speed Control	Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Seats	Air Bags:Frontal	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	—	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	—	0	1 ODI 817870 WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK Look up ODI 817870 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10179143 · 99,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10179143 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 728058 MY 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… Look up ODI 728058 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0	0	1 ODI 817870 WHEN THE OWNER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK Look up ODI 817870 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	1 ODI 806861 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 Look up ODI 806861 at NHTSA ↗	0
Seats	0	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 766057 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 FRO… Look up ODI 766057 at NHTSA ↗	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	0	1 ODI 728058 MY 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… Look up ODI 728058 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 806861 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 Look up ODI 806861 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 766057 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 FRO… Look up ODI 766057 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	0	0	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.

Search patterns

8 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

12 mentions · 5.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 112,546 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10150547 · 115,091 mi

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 NOT…

Look up ODI 10150547 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 478155

BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT.

Look up ODI 478155 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 509362

BRAKE PEDAL BOTTOMS OUT WHEN BACKING UP, RESULTING IN GRADUAL STOPPING. *AK

Look up ODI 509362 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 4.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 38,500 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 487579

FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

Look up ODI 487579 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 841338

VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. DEALER HAS REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *AK

Look up ODI 841338 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 967408

VEHICLE STALL OUT, ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. TT

Look up ODI 967408 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

3 mentions · 1.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 37,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 873490

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

Look up ODI 873490 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 714724

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.A…

Look up ODI 714724 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10071417 · 37,000 mi

WHILE 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

Look up ODI 10071417 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Battery drain and no-start mentions

2 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 560938

FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, SATURN HAD SENT CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY FAIL PREMATURELY AND CAUSE EXTENDED CRANK TIME, LOSS OF POWER, AND POSSIBLE NO START CONDITIONS, SATURN GAVE A RREPLACEMENT COVERAGE OF 6 YEARS/75000 MILES, HOWEVER 5 MONTHS AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, THE FUEL REGULATOR WENT BAD, DEALER ALSO REPLACED NEW PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONSUMER FEELS THE FUEL PUMP OVER PRESSURIZED THE FUEL REGULATOR CAUSING A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION IN THE FUEL REGULATOR TO FAIL. *SLC

Look up ODI 560938 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 857235

UPON STARTING VEHICLE A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DRIVER SHUT OFF THE IGNTION AND REMOVED THE KEY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE ALL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. ALL THE WIRING WILL BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *ML

Look up ODI 857235 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Oil consumption or dilution

2 mentions · 1.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 131,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10028429

OIL CONSUMPTION, CAUSED A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK

Look up ODI 10028429 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10057210 · 131,000 mi

VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. *AK

Look up ODI 10057210 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 41,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10561658 · 41,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VISIBLE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.

Look up ODI 10561658 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 54,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 8023223 · 54,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED SAID CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. TS *TT

Look up ODI 8023223 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 0.5% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 531997

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Look up ODI 531997 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b