1997 Saturn SW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
91,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 18 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 22.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11119896 · 2018-08-14 (August 14, 2018)
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 AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND BUMPS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11119896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722657 · 2000-05-14 (May 14, 2000)
THROTTLE HANGS AND "RATCHETS" UPWARD WITH SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL ENGAGED. TURNING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO "OFF" DOES NOT CORRECT THE CONDITION, NEITHER DOES APPLYING THE BRAKES. MANUALLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO UN-STICK THE THROTTLE CAUSED FURTHER UPWARD "RATCHETING" OF THE THROTTLE AND FURTHER INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. VEHICLE REMAINS IN A STATE OF "RUNAWAY" UNTIL THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF. SWITCHING THE IGNITION "OFF" USUALLY CORRECTS THE CONDITION. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS: DECEMBER, 1999; AND MAY 13, …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722657 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149963 · 2006-02-10 (February 10, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018271 · 2002-09-10 (September 10, 2002)
A BOLT IN TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF AND BROKE THROUGH THE CASING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK.. VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014127 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
I CALLED SATURN OF EATONTOWN, NJ REPORTING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION AND DOOR BELL ALARM-IT RANG CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANGER NOT TO WORRY, USE A LITTLE CW SPREAD; 3 DAYS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. SATURN IS REFUSING TO HONOR SAFETY RECALL TSB # 97-C-02, DATED APR 97, TITLED, "RECALL-IGNITION CYLINDER MALFUNCTION." I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER FEDERAL LAW A MANUFACTURER-INITIATED SAFETY RECALL IS EQUAL TO A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL AND MUST BE REMEDIED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I THANK YOU …
Owner-reported narrative. 59,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857235 · 2000-02-18 (February 18, 2000)
UPON STARTING VEHICLE A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DRIVER SHUT OFF THE IGNTION AND REMOVED THE KEY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE ALL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. ALL THE WIRING WILL BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560938 · 2001-04-26 (April 26, 2001)
FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, SATURN HAD SENT CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY FAIL PREMATURELY AND CAUSE EXTENDED CRANK TIME, LOSS OF POWER, AND POSSIBLE NO START CONDITIONS, SATURN GAVE A RREPLACEMENT COVERAGE OF 6 YEARS/75000 MILES, HOWEVER 5 MONTHS AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, THE FUEL REGULATOR WENT BAD, DEALER ALSO REPLACED NEW PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONSUMER FEELS THE FUEL PUMP OVER PRESSURIZED THE FUEL REGULATOR CAUSING A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION IN THE FUEL REGULATOR TO FAIL. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567143 · 2002-08-19 (August 19, 2002)
CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNTIL IT FAILED, BUT WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE LETTER UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING, AND AFTER THE 3RD OCCURRENCE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS INDEED DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE LETTER CONSUMER RECEIVED PREVIOUSLY WAS NO LONGER VALID WHICH WAS GOOD FOR 6 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES, AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567143 at NHTSA ↗