1999 Saturn SW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 13 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 30.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 10 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 | 5 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
2000: 5; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2004: 2; 2014: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10604383 · 2014-06-18 (June 18, 2014)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551538 · 2000-03-27 (March 27, 2000)
STEPPING ON THE BRAKE CAUSED THE IDLE TO GO TO MAXIMUM RPM. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099681 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
BROKEN STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM REPLACED, RUSTED OUT HOOD REPLACED. MODE CONTROL FROM A/C TO DEFROST WENT OUT, LESS THAN 14,000 MILES. *BF THE MODE DOOR CABLE DISCONNECTED DUE TO MODE DOOR FABRIC COMING OFF AND CAUSED CABLE TO STICK. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 13,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071417 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
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. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071417 at NHTSA ↗