1996 Saturn SW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 9 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2004: 2; 2007: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10054109 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE ENGINE'S HEAD GASKET HAD FAILED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092220 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10189019 · 2007-04-24 (April 24, 2007)
REGARDING A WIRE THAT BROKE OFF ON THE SEAT OF HIS 1996 SATURN SW2 WAGON AND IS STICKING UP VERTICALLY -WIRE WENT THROUGH HIS PANTS AND SKIN**CC CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED SATURN ESTABLISHMENT AND WAS INFORMED BY SATURN FACTORY TO TAKE CAR TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER ENTERING THE CAR INCORRECTLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255221 · 2009-01-15 (January 15, 2009)
THE SATURNSW2 GASKET COVER WARPED YEAR AFTER YEAR;THEY REDESIGNED IT;IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL; MANY THOUSANDS OF THESE COVERS HAVE PUT PEOPLE IN DANGER OF A FIRE WITH THE OIL LEAKS;THE EXPENSE OF CHANGING OUT THE ENGINE IS HORRIFIC, FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC THEY NO LONGER MAKE FROM PLASTIC; IT IS NOW ALUMINUM OR SOME FORM OF METAL. SMALL LEAKS ARE ONE THING;THESE MAJOR LEAKS ARE ANOTHER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 161,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738659 · 2001-01-02 (January 2, 2001)
WANT TO REPORT DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WHICH FREEZES AT 31 DEGREES F MANUFACTURED BY R.H. CROWN CO. JOHNSTOWN NEW YORK 12095 BOTTLE STATES FREEZING TEMP AT -20 DEGREES F. FROZE IN THE LINES IN MY VEHICLE. WHEN ENGINE HEAT MELTED THE LINES IN THE FRONT THE FLUID FROZE IMMEDIATELY ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD THIS MORNING. DANGEROUS SITUATION AT BEST IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738659 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746521 · 2001-06-06 (June 6, 2001)
WITH THE GASKET FAILURE, THE OIL AND COOLANT MIXED WITHIN THE ENGINE, THE DEALER HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED OUT AND I HAD IT BACK IN 1 WEEK, 2 MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING TO WORK , IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 2RD GEAR,. HAD TO DRIVE IT DOWN TO THE DEALER'S 2.5 HOURS FROM HOME . GOT IT BACK 1 WEEK LATER. EVER SINCE THE ENGINE WAS WORKED ON WE'VE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE LEAKAGE WAS IN NORMAL RANGE . WE USE 1-3 QTS EVERY MONTH .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754821 · 2001-11-23 (November 23, 2001)
DRIVING ON BACK ROAD, BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TO USE ENGINE BRAKING AND HAND BRAKE TO SLOW OR STOP CAR. GAS STATION ATTENDANT REPORTED FULL BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. NORMAL BRAKING RESUMED SPONTANEOUSLY ON WAY HOME. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754821 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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.