Saturn SWModel year report

1994 Saturn SW Problems

Complaints: 30filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 115,091miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 1campaigns 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 1994 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1994 Saturn SW. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seats (6) and vehicle speed control (5). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 115,091 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 14 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seats complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.

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: Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #873490, filed 2000-10

Seats: “Reference recall 99v045000. Parts used in 94 model identical to later year, confirmed by dealer parts counter. Dealer mechanic indicated his belief that this should be covered by recall. Failure mode identical to that described in recall. Seat back slipped out of position when vehicle stationary, I had placed my hand on the top of the seatback to brace myself to put an item on the dash when the seatback reclined with a loud pop . Seatback has reclined additional 2 to 3 teeth since initial movement.”

NHTSA complaint #712518, filed 1999-09

Vehicle speed control: “This is a recurring problem with the vehicle. Occasionally the cruse control while activated will accelerate the vehicle to speeds in excess of 100 MPH (if allowed to do so). The cruise control does immediately disengage when it should, however if the driver is not watching the speedometer the vehicle will occasionally speed up on its own. I have spoken to two people at Saturn of branford (branford ct) and they said that it is a component failure and I will have to pay the estimated $200.00 to have it repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #700629, filed 1998-11

Engine cooling: “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 .”

NHTSA complaint #10038889, filed 2003-09, 94,501 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 94,501 and 138,677 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 115,091 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 1994 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	34	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	22	31	25	$2,700
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	21	29	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

99V045000Mar 12, 1999
Seats
Covers: Saturn SW 1994–1995, SL 1994–1995, SC1 1994–1995 +1 more
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.

Recall details for the 1994 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 1994 Saturn SW have?

NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1994 Saturn SW as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Saturn SW is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seats with 6.

Has the 1994 Saturn SW been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1994 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 1994 Saturn SW reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 115,091 miles and the middle half falls between 94,501 and 138,677 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.