1999 Saturn SW: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 ↗
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 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 10663006 · 2014-12-08 (December 8, 2014)
MY SON WAS KILLED IN A 1999 SATURN THE AIRBAGS DID NOT WORK I NEED TO KNOW WHY CAR CUT OFF WHILE GO DOWN I-20. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10663006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 550198 · 2000-01-03 (January 3, 2000)
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE SEATS, WHICH ARE ANGLED BACK FOR SAFETY PURPOSES, THE CHILD SAFETY SEATS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURIES IF IN ACCIDENT. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 550198 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 565516 · 2002-07-11 (July 11, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A HOT SPOT ON THE BRAKE DISC WHICH CAUSES RUBBING, THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OD DRIVEABILITY OR MISHANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.*MJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 728058 · 2000-08-16 (August 16, 2000)
MY HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER (AGE 4) WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 27, 2000 IN OUR 1999 SATURN SW1. THEY WERE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THEY WERE REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45PMH. UPON IMPACT NIETHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO), BUT THE MAJOR CONCERN WAS THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT SPRINGS BROKE COLLAPSING THE DRIVERS SEAT AND LEFT MY HUSBAND LANDING IN THE BACK SEAT, HIS FOOT FALLING FROM THE BRAKE AND ROLLING INTO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 12-15MPH. MY HUSBAND ENDED UP INJURED WITH A THORACIC STRAIN. MY DAUGH…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 728058 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V280000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1999-10-20 (October 20, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗