Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "Theft protection." These vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable...
1991-2001 · 11 model years
Saturn SW Problems by year
Owners have filed 209 complaints about the Saturn SW across 11 model years, and it has 11 recalls. The 1994 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (30), while 1992, 2001 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the seats & seat belts, followed by the brakes.
- Complaints
- 209
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 30
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 32
- Deaths
- 1
SW complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common SW problems
Saturn SW recalls 11
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "Fuel system integrity." These vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impacts." The armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages." Some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "Passenger car brake systems." These vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "Bumper standard." These vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." Some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn...
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.
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 generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
The positive battery cable terminal at the starter solenoid may be formed incorrectly. Incorrectly formed terminals can contact the starter solenoid housing and cause an electric short circuit.
Latest SW complaints
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 saturn sw. While driving 40 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the emergency brake was applied, but also failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags deployed, but the contact sustained bruises and bumps. The front seat passenger was injured and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow lot. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. ... *Bf *tr
This 1997 saturn sw2 has gm's ignition problem. The air bags were blown once this fried the wires below the stearing and now they say this is not. At the time the vehicle was in motion, street, I just pushed it off the road for the 3rd time in 2 weeks and now I may loose everything I have in my life. I can not even get the "fix" for the recalls unless I pay close to $200. For instructions to do it myself. I find this unfair being they should have done this once they knew and not waited for attorneys to say "how many", complaints = lawsuit. I guess I will have to join in if nothing else happens.
Airbag should have been recalled and was in system but not replaced. Ignition problems with fuel not able to reach. Ignition switch wire burned and was recalled prior but not given to my make model. Muffler not able to control exhaust system.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saturn sw. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, smoke started to emit from the ignition after the key was inserted into the ignition switch. The contact immediately removed the key and towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
On may 29th, 2015 at approx. 5:30 Pm est the driver's 2000 saturn sw2 had uncontrollable sudden full throttle acceleration when put into drive from reverse without a foot on the accelerator & could not be stopped by brakes while attempting to leave a private business parking lot onto a public roadway. Driver travelled approx.100 Ft. With full on brakes applied & avoided potentially striking oncoming road traffic by driving parallel to the roadway & driving head on into a roadway bridge guardrail terminal end to...
Read the full complaint
stop the forward progress of the vehicle. There was severe frontal damage to the front of the vehicle. Airbags deployed. Driver was extracted from the vehicle by the local emergency rescue squad & transported to the emergency room of the local hospital. The driver was treated for multiple fractures to the left foot & right ankle. Other physical injuries are presenting themselves a few days after the accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn sw. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the key released from the ignition switch. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the cylinder lock and the key needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of failure and stated that the vin was not included in a related manufacturers recall. The failure mileage was 64,734.
Questions about the Saturn SW
Which Saturn SW years have the most problems?
Which Saturn SW years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Saturn SW problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the seats & seat belts (40), brakes (34), engine & cooling (32) most often.
How many recalls does the Saturn SW have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls across all Saturn SW model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data