1996 SATURN SW

0 recalls, 31 complaints - 7 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

31 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1
SUSPENSION:FRONT	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS	1

Incident date: Jan 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 PL... Read more

Incident date: Feb 1, 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 INCORRE... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB

Incident date: Sep 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB

Incident date: Jan 9, 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

WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE COMPARTMENT BEGAN FILLING WITH GRAY SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE STEERING SMOLDERED AND MELTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

Fire

WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE COMPARTMENT BEGAN FILLING WITH GRAY SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE STEERING SMOLDERED AND MELTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR

Fire

Incident date: Nov 18, 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 CL... Read more

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ON DRIVEWAY, JUST SMALL PUDDLES. DEALER REPLACED HOUSING UNIT BECAUSE OF CRACKS TO TRANSMISSION.*AK CONSUMER FEELS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

Incident date: Mar 1, 2001

Incident date: Mar 25, 1998

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 ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 25, 1998

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 WI... Read more

Incident date: Oct 29, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH GAS LINE UNDER REAR SEAT BLEW UP, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED CABLES AND GAS LINE. *AK THE FUEL FILLER DOOR WILL NOT STAY SHUT, BECAUSE THE DOOR RELEASE CABLE HAD BEEN BENT BY FOREING OBJECT. *YH

Incident date: Oct 29, 2000

Incident date: Apr 20, 2000

GASKET THAT SEALS THE GAS LINE TO GAS PUMP BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED FUEL TO SPRAY ONTO ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ANOTHER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE GASKET AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DESIGN OF HORN LOCATION MAKE IT HARD TO LOCATED THE HORN WHEN NEEDED.

Incident date: Jan 2, 1998

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.

Incident date: Dec 31, 1997

WRONG SPARK PLUG INSTALLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITANTLY.

Incident date: Dec 28, 1997

WRONG GAS PLUGS WERE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE DURING MANUFACTURING. PROBLEM CAUSED STALLING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

Incident date: Jun 13, 1996

RIM BENT.

Incident date: May 23, 1996

ROTORS FAILED.

Incident date: May 23, 1996

FRONT PADS FAILED.

FRONT BRAKE GRINDING UPON BRAKING.

VEHICLE MISALIGNMENT CAUSING VIBRATION/TIRE WEAR.

SPARK PLUG FAILURE.

Incident date: Jun 14, 1996

SPEED CONTROL: DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, ATTEMPTING TO EXIT ON A OFF RAMP, TRIED TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT GO OFF, COULD NOT BRAKE. EXITED OFF RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN, ENTERED ANOTHER HIGHWAY, HIT CURB AND MEDIAN, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK ... Read more

Crash

WARPED BRAKE DISKS.

BRAKE PADS WORN OUT.

HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE TIP OF THE TURN SIGNAL; OCASSIONALLY WHEN PUSHING TURN SIGNAL TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, INADVERTANTLY HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. *AK

Incident date: Oct 15, 1996

ABS: WHEN APPLYING BRAKES DURING PANIC STOPPING, WHEELS LOCK UP, VEHICLE SKIDS, FISHTAILS, REAREND OF VEHICLE SPUNS OUT, CAUSING MODERATE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, NO WARNING, THREE OCCURRENCES, SPEED 30 TO 35 MPH. *AK

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 SATURN SW

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	31.0	25.0	Regular	$2,500
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	33.0	27.0	Regular	$2,300
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	32.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	35.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Small Station Wagons)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 SATURN SW

7 manufacturer communications from 5 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	1
020000 SUSPENSION	1
220000 SEATS	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1
138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	1
350000 EQUIPMENT	1
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)	1

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

220000 SEATS

SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ABOUT ABNORMAL WEAR OR A CUT ON THE INBOARD EDGE OF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT BACK COVER. *TT

020000 SUSPENSION

EXPERIENCING A RATTLE OR CLICK NOISE FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES. *YC

162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

REAR EXTERIOR DOOR PANEL IS NOT TIGHT AGAINST DOOR STRUCTURE. *TW

SATURN SW - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SATURN SW across all model years (1991, 2001).

17 Total Recalls

274 Total Complaints

0 Investigations

41 Reported Crashes

12 Reported Fires

2 Reported Deaths

SATURN SW - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2001	2	6	View
2000	7	18	View
1999	1	23	View
1998	0	31	View
1997	0	35	View
1996 (current)	0	31
1995	2	52	View
1994	1	41	View
1993	2	35	View
1992	1	2	View
1991	1	0	View

Other SATURN Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
ION	40	5,467	View
AURA	34	2,223	View
SL	29	2,891	View
SKY	22	623	View
OUTLOOK	21	1,939	View
SC	20	379	View
LS	16	1,885	View
SC1	13	554	View

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