Most common 1995 Saturn SW problems
Share of the 36 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SW complaints by model year
Best SW years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
1995 Saturn SW recalls (2)
Seats
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
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 the requirements of FMVSS 114, "theft protection."
Remedy: Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1995 Saturn SW:
Front seat back can recline or collapse
Cruise control failure
There is no summary currently available
Cruise control failures
This investigation documented hte functional aberations that have occurred in the performance of the subject cruise control system.most of the malfunctions involved failure of the system to properly regulate vehicle speed when engaged, failure of the system to engage, or self-disengagement of the system.
What 1995 Saturn SW owners say
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.
Saturn area service manager says that the original brake pads were too hard, they've changed them to a softer pad. The first time changed at 13,740 miles, second time at 30,000 and now at 37,000. Consumer is out of warranty, but that's not the problem. Saturn says it's design and consumer feels he should not pay for manufacturer's design problems. Softer pads do not wear as fast but still wear out.
Engine & cooling
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.
Sohc lk0/l24 (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/saturn_i4_engine#sohc_lk0.2fl24) the sohc (lk0/l24) cylinder head had 8 valves and was made of lost foam cast aluminum. The camshaft was located in the center of the cylinder head and driven by a chain off the front crankshaft sprocket. Motion from the camshaft was transmitted to the eight valves by the hydraulic lifters and rocker arms. The lk0 engine first used tbi (throttle body injection) for fuel delivery and was rated at 85 hp (63 kw) and 110 ftlbf (149 nm) of torque from 1991 to 1994. The l24 engine received mpfi (multi-port fuel injection) in 1995 which increased power output to 100 hp (75 kw) and 114 ftlbf (155 nm). This engine was used from 1995 to 2002. …
Seats
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.
I was stopped on an interstate, and rear ended by a Chevrolet sedan. It slammed my car into a minivan in front of me. The front and back of my car accordianed, and my car was a total loss. Neither front air bag deployed, and the front passenger seat flipped back and pinned the back passenger in the seat behind. No one was injured, but I feel that an accident which completely squished my car (also causing structural damage to the frame, only the driver's side door would open after the accident) should have had the airbags deploy, and the front seat should not have flipped back.
1995 Saturn SW engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 36 / 28 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 33 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Saturn SW a good car?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 SW rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the SW at the same age. It is one of the SW years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Saturn SW?
The brakes — 9 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and seats (6).
How many recalls does the 1995 Saturn SW have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1995 Saturn SW, the most recent from March 12, 1999 (seats). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SW?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1998 and 1997. See the full Saturn SW years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Saturn SW problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 99,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.