AI Damage2000 Saturn SW: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Saturn SW filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (27% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 1 complaints (7% 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 15 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 1 | 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 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.
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.
The contact noticed flames under the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined that it was due to an electrical failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vin was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saturn sw2. The contact was driving approximately 15 mph and attempting a turn when the rear driver side door released independently and swung open. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was told that the failure was common amongst the year, make and model.
Letter on behalf of constituent (nc) the defective fuel tank vent valve on her 2000 saturn sw1, dealer claims there was no recall. The consumer stated the vehicle would not take gas. She went to an auto repair shop and they printed out a recall and advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer.
Two major gasket problems with a saturn 2000 sw2 wagon. Total repair cost $1,500.
While driving at a low speed and without any warning vehicle would stall, causing the driver to pull off the road.
The rear stabilizer links froze up, due to road dirt, salt etc.
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 9,286 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 15, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SW?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, seats. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (7%), seat belts (7%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 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 2000 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 2000 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.