Saturn SW problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
90,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 133 complaints (9.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 20.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 5.3% |
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 | 13 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 13; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 7; Electrical System: 6; Seats: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 6; Air Bags: 5
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 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 6
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 98 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 17 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 17; 1996: 5; 2000: 27; 2001: 15; 2002: 15; 2003: 14; 2004: 12; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 5; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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 861284 · 2000-05-02 (May 2, 2000)
BRACKET UNDER THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS BROKE AND RUSTED, AND WAS STILL HOLDING BY A PLATE. THE BRACKET HOLDS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE ELECTRICAL WIRE AWAY FROM OTHER WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT CHAFING AND FAILURE OF THE WIRE. THE RIVET HAD BRAOKEN AND THE WIRE INSULATION WAS RUBBED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE OWNER MADE THE REPAIRS HIMSELF. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 861284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 876749 · 2000-12-19 (December 19, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER BRAKES WILL MALFUNCTION, AND WILL NOT WORK AS DURING DRY/WARMER WEATHER, COULD STEP ON BRAKES AND OPERATE AS SHOULD BE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 876749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150547 · 2006-02-17 (February 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY BRAKE PRESSURE AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR IN AN ATTEMPT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. WHILE STILL APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE HIT A HIGHWAY SIGN AND A TREE. SEATBELTS WERE WORN HOWEVER INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOTICED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 115,091 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150547 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561240 · 2001-05-16 (May 16, 2001)
VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CHANGES GEARS, DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN UPPER VALVE BODY PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED WORSE AFTER THE VALVE BODY WAS REPLACED, DEALERSHIP THEN RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE TEARDOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $1950 CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE WORK AT LOWER COST, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE NOW RUNS GREAT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487579 · 1995-10-23 (October 23, 1995)
FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967408 · 1995-06-21 (June 21, 1995)
VEHICLE STALL OUT, ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752093 · 2001-09-12 (September 12, 2001)
BRACKET HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE RIVET. BRACKET BREAK LOOSE, STRESSING ABS WIRING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES ON DRIVER'S SIDE, NOW PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723691 · 2000-06-07 (June 7, 2000)
STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN FREELY AND CAR ENDED UP IN A DITCH. CRADLE BOLTS MISSING. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS PROBABLY CAUSED THE FRONT END TO SPREAD AND THE RACK AND PINION TO DISENGAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8022054 · 2002-11-01 (November 1, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE COMPARTMENT BEGAN FILLING WITH GRAY SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE STEERING SMOLDERED AND MELTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8022054 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 1 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 2 |
1991: 1; 1992: 1; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 2; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 7; 2001: 2