1995 Saturn SW Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 97,000miles, 4 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
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1995 Saturn SW. The part named most often is brakes, with 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling (8) and seats (6). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 97,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Brakes9 25%
- Engine cooling8 22%
- Seats6 17%
- Other or unknown3 8.3%
- Air bags2 5.6%
- Electrical system2 5.6%
- Fuel system2 5.6%
- Seat belts2 5.6%
- Body and structure2 5.6%
Also reported: Suspension (2), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10179143, filed 2007-01, 99,000 milesEngine cooling: “Was driving a noise was heard coming from the engine. Took to dealer & engine oil had leaked out. The oil light had malfunctioned on panel. The engine had to be rebuilt. Piston rod rings/ cylinder/crankshaft & bearings need replacing also. The axle seal was replaced five times. Transmission leaks oil on the housing area & it was cracked.”
NHTSA complaint #838863, filed 1999-06Seats: “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 no work was done to my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10010139, filed 2003-03Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10002701, filed 2003-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,000 and 99,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1995 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 | 36 | 28 | $2,400 |
| SW FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| SW FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,600 |
| SW FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,700 |
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, 1999SeatsCovers: 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.
- 94V217000Nov 8, 1994Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)Covers: Saturn SW 1995, SL 1995, SC 1995
The automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly was improperly adjusted making it possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed, or remove the ignition key with the shift lever in a position other than "park." this does not meet…
Recall details for the 1995 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.
- 10233364Mar 10, 2023Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)…. 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 1995 Saturn SW have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1995 Saturn SW as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 Saturn SW is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 9 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.
Has the 1995 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 1995 Saturn SW get?
The EPA rates the 1995 Saturn SW (SW, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Saturn SW reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 97,000 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 99,000 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 29, 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.