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Engine & cooling

Saturn SW Engine problems by year

32 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Saturn SW's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20011000
20005000
19986000
19971000
19965000
19958110
19944000
19932000

Latest SW engine complaints

2000 Saturn SWElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10925999
1995 Saturn SWEngine & coolingDriver assistance

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...

Read the full complaint

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 ... *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or other · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10440907
1996 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

The saturnsw2 gasket cover warped year after year;they redesigned it;it should be covered under a recall; many thousands of these covers have put people in danger of a fire with the oil leaks;the expense of changing out the engine is horrific, for a cheap piece of plastic they no longer make from plastic; it is now aluminum or some form of metal. Small leaks are one thing;these major leaks are another. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10255221
1997 Saturn SWEngine & coolingElectrical system

The engine turns off during driving or coming to a stop if I leave the vehicle overnight or 4hrs later it will start and run for about a hour then it turns off, had a diagnostic computer check and they said they can not find the problem. Replaced the ignition coils, spark plugs, spark plug cables, gas filter, clean throttle valve housing. Speed odometer makes a rubbing noise. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10220011
1995 Saturn SWBrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainSeats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

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. *Nm

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · SeatsNHTSA 10179143
1998 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

While driving 10 mph engine stalled. The dealer stated that the engine bearing wore out completely on one side. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10111244
2000 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

Two major gasket problems with a saturn 2000 sw2 wagon. Total repair cost $1,500.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10104537
2001 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

While driving, anti freeze leaked from the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the problem pertained to the intake manifold. *Ak *sc

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10059714
1996 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

The vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The mechanic informed the owner that the engine's head gasket had failed. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10054109
1998 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

While driving at any speed and without any prior warning vehicle stalled. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10044503
2000 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

While driving at a low speed and without any warning vehicle would stall, causing the driver to pull off the road.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10043961
1994 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

Oil in cooling system,cylinder head cracked. I had just slowed down for a stop sign in a 35 mph zone. Other web sights claim this to be an on going problem. I was fortunate that it didn't happen on the high way. I was not informed when I registered as the new owner that there were any recalls or bullentins, car was sold to me with " no defects". *Ph

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10038889
1995 Saturn SWEngine & cooling

OIL CONSUMPTION, CAUSED A BLOWN ENGINE. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10028429

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

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