AI DamageSaturn S-Series Wagon: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn S-Series Wagon across 4 model years: 7 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 14% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Seats: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer was rearended by another vehicle. Which caused the driver's seat back to collapse in the rear position, also the head rest separated from the seat. Driver suffered injuries.
I was driving on a highway for about 15 miles when I started to hear a high pitched grinding sound or cavitation noise which I thought may have come from the axle or brakes. Upon exiting the highway I stepped on the brakes which went to the floor before I felt them begin to stop the car.
Dt: (spanish call): rear wheel cylinders on my 2000 saturn sw2 were leaking. They leaked and failed before, and it was time for the contact to take the vehicle to dealer for regular service. The dealer's mechanic told the contact that he needed to change the wheel cylinders.
Dt: the consumer states that when she put gas in vehicle it spit back out. The vehicle is a 2000 saturn sl1. There is a recall on a similar problem with the fuel tank assembly. The consumer has taken the vehicle to the dealership once.
Dt: caller has rust in bottom of roof and pillars of his station wagon. Caller had no idea this was happening until rust came over the plastic that covered it up.
I drove another block, the engine light came on, went off, and the car missed again. I headed back towards my workplace to use a telephone to call my spouse to pick me up, but the car completely quit after driving a block or two.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.