AI Damage1993 Saturn SW reliability: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Saturn SW filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 27
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 19% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 5 Child seat 7% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (22% of all).
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (19% of all).
- Structure: 3 complaints (11% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (11% of all).
- Child seat: 2 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.9 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 27 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The high speed airbag damaged the driver's face, breaking teeth, glasses, and bite guard.
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.
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.
Today my car caught on fire. I went ont he internet and found out that there are 3 different recalls on my car that could start a fire. I called saturn at the honolulu office. I gave them my vin # and they told me that there are no current recalls on my car.
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.
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.
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 vehicle failed to start that saturday. The alternators kept blowing out. First one blew out in 1998 & was brand new. The other two followed not long afterwards. Each time they would blow out, they would burn out battery. Would get new alternator & battery each time after taking vehicle to dealership.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,893 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SW has 21 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 27, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Saturn SW?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, seat belts, structure. Total complaints: 27. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: door locks, latches, handles (7%), won't start (4%), knocking, grinding or other noise (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Saturn SW?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1993 Saturn SW from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1993 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.