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. The sohc engine was available on the base model s-series vehicles (sc1, sl, sl1, sw, sw1) 1992 through 1998 l24 cylinder heads developed issues with cracks developing in the fifth camshaft journal, located closest to #4 cylinder. The hairline crack would develop between the oil feed port of that journal and the coolant passages in the cylinder head. Symptoms would range from overheating to low coolant, however, most cars affected by this issue exhibited oil migration into the cooling system. The resulting mixture of the two fluids would result in a thick brown "milkshake"-like mixture, visible in the coolant overflow tank. Saturn released unadvertised policy which would cover this issue, extending the warranty on the cylinder head to 6 years or 100,000 miles (160k km). Repair required the replacement of the cylinder head. And flushing of the coolant system. Badly affected cars would see coolant in the oil, as well as oil in the coolant, and would require the replacement of the complete engine assembly. Until the cylinder head casting was redesigned ...
The worst 1995 Saturn SW problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes9
- Engine8
- Seats6
- Transmission5
- Airbags2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes9
- Engine8
- Seats6
- Transmission5
- Airbags2
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Fuel system2
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Seats
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
Recall number 99V045000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: unintended vehicle movement can occur which could result in an accident.
- Remedy
- Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.
Recall number 94V217000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1995 Saturn SW
Defect investigations
Front seat back can recline or collapse
RQ00005
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. These problems were investigated and steps taken by the manufacturer to remedy their occurrences.service procedures were issued for vehicles in use, and a design modification made for new vehicles.no confirmed allegations of failure of the system to disengage upon command were identified.improved quality control procedures and design modificationsin the system were undertaken to ensure a more consistent level of system performance.the details of these findings and the resulting conclusions are contained inthe subject engineering analysis closing report.a safety-related defect trend was not identified at ehis time and further use of agency resources does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
EA95003
Cruise control failure
There is no summary currently available
PE94079
Technical service bulletins for the 1995 Saturn SW 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
1995 Saturn SW fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-24 | 31-36 | 25-28 |
What 1995 Saturn SW owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 further inspection by saturn mechanic, vehicles engine cradle is completely rusted away. When the drivers side engine cradle broke during operation it force itself and other parts to break causing my wife to lose all control. The saturn mechanic says in 7 years he has only seen 2 other cases of corrosion affecting the engine cradle in this severity.
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.
Oil consumption, caused a blown engine.
Drivers side seat belt locked up. The seat belt latch did not consistently latch to the belt metal contact. *ak *cb
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.
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. A saturn mechanic told me that he has 4 cars and what I have just described only happens on his saturn. We have tried variying the tempurature, opening the windows etc. Mostly I want to know what to do because I don't want to have an accident due to this obvious flaw.
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.
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.
This vehicle uses an excessive amount of oil. I must add at least one quart every 200-300 miles.
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Questions about the 1995 Saturn SW
Is the 1995 Saturn SW reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 1995 Saturn SW, 6.0 times a typical SW model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Saturn SW?
Brakes, with 9 complaints. Next is engine (8).
How many recalls does the 1995 Saturn SW have?
2 recalls, covering seats and power train.
What gas mileage does the 1995 Saturn SW get?
Official estimates for the 1995 Saturn SW range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-24 city and 31-36 highway.
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