AI Damage1999 Saturn SW: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Saturn SW filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 25% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 4 complaints (25% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (13% of all).
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
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
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.
During a vehicle crash airbags did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.
Both of them were restrained with full seat belts. In the emergency room and at the sight we were told that it was lucky that my daughter was in the front seat that day or she would have been crushed and killed by the seat that collapsed behind my husband.
Broken steering wheel mechanism replaced, rusted out hood replaced. Mode control from a/c to defrost went out, less than 14,000 miles. The mode door cable disconnected due to mode door fabric coming off and caused cable to stick.
While driving at 65 mph consumer heard a popping sound and vehicle jerked. Consumer pulled onto the shoulder. Then, consumer heard a loud bang, and vehicle jerked again and smoked badly. Dealer examined the vehicle, and determined that differential pin came out and destroyed the transmission.
Consumer stated the vehicle has defective brakes, consumer was informed by dealer that the problem has been described as a hot spot on the brake disc which causes rubbing, the dealer also stated the problem is a result od driveability or mishandling of the vehicle.
At a safety check for seatbelts, 3 of the seatbelt retractors in were found to be inoperative. Only front passenger seatbelt retractor works.
Hot florida day; car fully loaded; tread separated at 70 mph (3000 mi on tire at time). (tiresize: p17570r14)
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SW has 21 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Saturn SW?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, equipment, powertrain. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (13%), seat belts (13%), A/C or heater (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Saturn SW?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Saturn SW from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
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.