Saturn SWModel year report

1993 Saturn SW Problems

Complaints: 27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 77,530miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 2campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 26 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 32 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1993 Saturn SW. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by seat belts (5) and other or unknown (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,530 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Air bags (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #828236, filed 1998-09

Seat belts: “Motor belts are failing to operate; dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed that part was not covered under a recall, and any repairs would be at consumer's cost. \ feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”

NHTSA complaint #877413, filed 2001-01

Other or unknown: “When 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.”

NHTSA complaint #831123, filed 1998-11

Body and structure: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #861284, filed 2000-05

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,061 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 77,530 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1993 Saturn SW version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	24	33	28	$2,400
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	22	32	26	$2,600
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	21	32	25	$2,700
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	21	30	24	$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

93V132000Aug 10, 1993
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Covers: Saturn SW 1991–1993, SC 1991–1993, SL 1991–1993 +2 more
The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
93V094000May 25, 1993
Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
Covers: Saturn SW 1993, SL 1993, SC1 1993
The positive battery cable terminal at the starter solenoid may be formed incorrectly. Incorrectly formed terminals can contact the starter solenoid housing and cause an electric short circuit.

Recall details for the 1993 Saturn SW → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

10233362Mar 10, 2023Electrical system, Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost…. This 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…
10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Other model years of the Saturn SW

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2001	6	48,000	2	—	26	—	Not enough data
2000	15	122,916	7	—	27	—	Stable
1999	16	36,000	1	—	27	—	Stable
1998	27	117,500	0	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1997	31	91,050	0	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1996	20	94,000	0	—	27	—	Stable
1995	36	97,000	2	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1994	30	115,091	1	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1993	27	77,530	2	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable

All Saturn SW model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1993 Saturn SW have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1993 Saturn SW as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1993 Saturn SW is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by seat belts with 5.

Has the 1993 Saturn SW been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1993 Saturn SW (SW, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 22 city and 32 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1993 Saturn SW reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,530 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 100,061 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.