Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Saturn SW, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 9 | 22% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 15% |
| Seats | 4 | 10% |
| Power train | 3 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 7% |
| Structure | 2 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 5% |
| Suspension | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 CYL
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 1995 SATURN SW! WAGON AT 50 MPH ON FREEWAY. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL TO THE LEFT. SHE MANAGED TO GET IT OFF THE ROADWAY. INITIAL INSPECTION INDICATED A BROKEN AXLE. UPON FUR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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. F
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THE SEAT BELT LATCH DID NOT CONSISTENTLY LATCH TO THE BELT METAL CONTACT. *AK *CB *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 DEAL
NHTSA complaint: Seats
THE DEFROSTER WORKS SOMETIMES -- ONLY IF I PUT ON THE AC AT THE SAME TIME -- AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY IT STOPS WORKING AND THE FRONT WINDOW SHIELD AS WELL AS THE SIDE ONES FOG UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL WHILE WE ARE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 DEPLOY
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1995 Saturn SW. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
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 PROTE
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 44 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 9 of them (22%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.