1995 Saturn SW Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 14%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1995 Saturn SW, 14% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“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 2003-01“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 1999-06“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #714724, filed 1999-11Related recalls
- 94V217000Nov 8, 1994The automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly was improperly adjusted making it possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed…Covers: Saturn SW 1995, SL 1995, SC 1995
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1995 Saturn SW
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1995 Saturn SW
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology