1998 Saturn SW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
117,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 16 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 18.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10044503 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111244 · 2005-02-09 (February 9, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING WORE OUT COMPLETELY ON ONE SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111244 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079071 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
BRAKE FAILURE. ON SR88 SOUTHBOUND TO LIBERTY RD. 19'98 SATURN SW2, 110000 MILES. CONDITION EXCELLENT. COMING TO LIBERTY RD AT ABOUT 55 MPH SLOWNG FOR RT TURN..BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ZERO BRAKING EFFECT. LUCKILY PULLED AHEAD TO A WIDE, SAFE SHOULDER. CALLED AAA FOR TOW,,MEANTWHILE PUMPED PEDAL FOR HALF HOUR WHEN GOT SLSIGHT RESPONSE FROM PEDAL WHICH FINALLY ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER GAVE FULL PEDAL. CANCELLED TOW. WENT INTO LODI, CA ABOUT 15 MORE MILES SAFELY. SATURN DEALER STATES THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. MECHANIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567179 · 2002-08-21 (August 21, 2002)
RPMS DO NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO IDLE AFTER REMOVAL OF ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. THE RPMS AT RANDOM TIMES, REMAIN AT 1800 TO 2200 AS INDICATED BY THE TACHOMETER. THE ENGINE IS ALSO NOISY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP, BUT RPMS STILL RACE FROM 1000 RPM TO 2200. NORMAL TACHOMETER RESPONSE IS USUALLY FROM 750 TO 1000 RPMS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THIS IS PUTTING WEAR AND TEAR ON TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE JUMPED BACKWARDS WHEN CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM BRAKE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567179 at NHTSA ↗