AI DamageSaturn SW: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saturn SW across 10 model years: 209 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 10% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 37 complaints (18% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 32 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 22 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 21 complaints (10% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.9 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1993–2001
- automatic, 4-speed 1993–2001
- manual, 5-speed 1993–2001
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 209 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 37 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 32 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 22 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 21 | 8 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 15 | 13 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 3 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 automobile in front of me slammed on their brakes, I slammed on my brakes and my chest hit the steering column. The airbags did not deploy.
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.
Seatbelts were worn however injuries were sustained. A police report was filed at the scene. After the accident the accelerator pedal was noticed under the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. Although the dealership was notified no repairs were made.
Driver side airbag did not deploy after hitting a deer head on at 50 mph. Ts
The srs air bags failed to deploy. I continued to slide to 180 degrees. Rolling backwards, I hit the center divider with the right rear bumper at about 35 mph. The impact caused my seat back to collapse (recline), although I was wearing a seatbelt.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
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.