1997 SATURN SW

0 recalls, 35 complaints - 11 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

35 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	1
SERVICE BRAKES	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC	1
INTERIOR LIGHTING	1

Incident date: Jun 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED, BUT ALSO FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT... Read more

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Jul 26, 2017

THIS 1997 SATURN SW2 HAS GM'S IGNITION PROBLEM. THE AIR BAGS WERE BLOWN ONCE THIS FRIED THE WIRES BELOW THE STEARING AND NOW THEY SAY THIS IS NOT. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, STREET, I JUST PUSHED IT OFF THE ROAD FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 2 WEEKS AND NOW I MAY LOOSE EVERYTHING I HAVE IN MY LIFE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 26, 2017

Incident date: Apr 21, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE IGNITION AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE KEY AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN ... Read more

Fire

Incident date: Mar 20, 2006

THE ENGINE TURNS OFF DURING DRIVING OR COMING TO A STOP IF I LEAVE THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT OR 4HRS LATER IT WILL START AND RUN FOR ABOUT A HOUR THEN IT TURNS OFF, HAD A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK AND THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES, G... Read more

Incident date: Mar 20, 2006

Incident date: Sep 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SW2. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG. SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN BUMPING AND JUMPING. THE VE... Read more

Incident date: Jan 27, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE RE... Read more

Incident date: Apr 13, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THE IGNITION COIL PACK HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. *SC

Incident date: Aug 22, 2003

CONSUMER STATED DOOR BELL WAS ACTING AS IF THE LIGHTS WERE ON, AND THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC, HE KEPT PRESSING ON THE BUTTON, AND GOT IT TO SHUT OFF. THEN HE REINSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. AFTER MECHANIC EXAMINED ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 5, 2003

I CALLED SATURN OF EATONTOWN, NJ REPORTING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION AND DOOR BELL ALARM-IT RANG CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANGER NOT TO WORRY, USE A LITTLE CW SPREAD; 3 DAYS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. SATURN IS REFUSING TO HONOR SAFETY RECAL... Read more

Fire

CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNTIL IT FAILED, BUT WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE LETTER UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 9, 2002

A BOLT IN TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF AND BROKE THROUGH THE CASING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK.. VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Mar 14, 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... Read more

Incident date: Mar 14, 2001

Incident date: Dec 6, 2000

TIRE WAS READY TO THROW TREAD (FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TI - P185-65R15). NLM

Incident date: Sep 15, 2000

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS GUSHY AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP.*AK

Incident date: Aug 28, 2000

THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE LAP BELT AREA THEREBY NOT ALLOWING ME TO FASTEN MY BELT. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DRIVE UNBELTED BUT I COULD NOT BELT UP. WORKED FINE THE DAY BEFORE. DEALER SAID BELT MUST BE REPLACED BUT I MUST PAY VEHICLE IS PAST THE 3YR 36000 MILE WARRANTY. I MA... Read more

Incident date: May 13, 2000

THROTTLE HANGS AND "RATCHETS" UPWARD WITH SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL ENGAGED. TURNING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO "OFF" DOES NOT CORRECT THE CONDITION, NEITHER DOES APPLYING THE BRAKES. MANUALLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO UN-STICK THE THROTTLE CAUSED FURTHER UPWARD "RATCHETING" OF TH... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 1999

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED WITHIN THE FIRST MILE OF DRIVING,. THEN BRAKES FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. ASKING NHTSA TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER.*AK

Incident date: Feb 16, 2000

UPON STARTING VEHICLE A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DRIVER SHUT OFF THE IGNTION AND REMOVED THE KEY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE ALL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT SURE WHA... Read more

SEATBELT WILL NOT UNREEL FROM OPEN POSITION ,AND WILL NOT RELEASE, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK

Incident date: Aug 1, 1999

NO SUMMARY.

THE SEAT BELTS IN OUR SATURN DO NOT ALLOW US TO INSTALL CHILD CAR SEATS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY DO NOT MOVE. WE HAVE PURCHASED A CAR BED FOR OUR BABY - DUE ANY MOMENT - ONLY TO FIND THAT WE CANNOT SECURE A CAR SEAT WITH BELTS THAT COME OUT OF THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. SATURN SAYS THEIR BELTS COMP... Read more

Incident date: Oct 1, 1998

WINDSHIELD WASHER JETS FAILED. NLM

HORN FAILED. NLM

Incident date: Sep 1, 1998

BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED.

Incident date: Dec 1, 1997

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, WARMING UP AND ALL PEOPLE WERE IN THE HOUSE WHEN VEHICLE WENT INTO GEAR AND DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE. *AK

Incident date: Sep 1, 1995

WHILE DRIVING DOME LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND FLICKER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL UNABLE TO BE RESOLVED. *AK

ANTI LOCK BRAKES MAKE SHRILL NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES WORN EXCESSIVELY.

Incident date: Mar 27, 1997

FRONT BRAKES WORN, CAUSING DIFFICULTY DURING EMERGENCY STOPS.

Incident date: Jun 11, 1997

CONSTANT CYCLICAL VIBRATION WHILE IN 5TH GEAR AND TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Incident date: Jul 16, 1997

FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

1 injured

Incident date: Mar 29, 1997

TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.

EPA Fuel Economy, 1997 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	31.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	23.0	33.0	27.0	Regular	$2,300
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	34.0	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, 1997 SATURN SW

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

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM	2
350000 EQUIPMENT	2
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	1
020000 SUSPENSION	1
220000 SEATS	1
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)	1
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	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

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

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 (current)	0	35
1996	0	31	View
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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