AI DamageSaturn Saturn S Series: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn Saturn S Series across 3 model years: 3 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 |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 33% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (33% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
When driving the car the steering seemed loose. My mechanic found that the sub frame (engine cradle) was cracked. The sub frame, rack and pinion, front struts, and outer tie rod was replaced. The car now drives well. My mechanic said it was dangerous to drive with a cracked sub frame.
Tl contact owns a 2002 saturn s series. The contact stated that the vehicle constantly shuts off ever since it was purchased. The vehicle must remain parked for at least a week before it will restart. After the most recent failure, the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer.
Bushing in the shifter broke (end of clutch cable). A small, round, piece of plastic that goes around a center ball pin shifter. I was in the middle of the freeway 94 east close to 5 freeway san diego ca with my 2 kids on the back, and I pull to the side safe but is very dangerous in the middle of the freeway.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
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 2026-11-05.