1997 SATURN SW

0 recalls — 35 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

35 total complaints 1 crashes 2 fires 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
SERVICE BRAKES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 14, 2018
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
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 27, 2017
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 27, 2017
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
AIR BAGS Jul 27, 2017
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 17, 2015
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Mar 4, 2008
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Mar 4, 2008
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
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Oct 2, 2007
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 10, 2006
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Jun 3, 2004
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE Aug 22, 2003
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 8, 2003
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Sep 17, 2002
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 10, 2002
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM Jul 9, 2001
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Jul 9, 2001
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
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Jan 23, 2001
Incident date: Dec 6, 2000
TIRE WAS READY TO THROW TREAD (FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TI - P185-65R15). NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Sep 22, 2000
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Sep 5, 2000
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
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL May 19, 2000
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Apr 12, 2000
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Feb 18, 2000
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
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Oct 26, 1999
SEATBELT WILL NOT UNREEL FROM OPEN POSITION ,AND WILL NOT RELEASE, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY Oct 3, 1999
Incident date: Aug 1, 1999
NO SUMMARY.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Aug 23, 1999
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
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Jul 30, 1999
Incident date: Oct 1, 1998
WINDSHIELD WASHER JETS FAILED. NLM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Jul 30, 1999
HORN FAILED. NLM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS Apr 20, 1999
Incident date: Sep 1, 1998
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH Oct 10, 1998
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
INTERIOR LIGHTING Aug 5, 1998
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Feb 20, 1998
ANTI LOCK BRAKES MAKE SHRILL NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, BRAKES WORN EXCESSIVELY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Feb 20, 1998
Incident date: Mar 27, 1997
FRONT BRAKES WORN, CAUSING DIFFICULTY DURING EMERGENCY STOPS.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Oct 3, 1997
Incident date: Jun 11, 1997
CONSTANT CYCLICAL VIBRATION WHILE IN 5TH GEAR AND TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 13, 1997
Incident date: Jul 16, 1997
FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 27, 1997
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 $2,400
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 31.0 26.0 Regular $2,300
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 33.0 27.0 Regular $2,200
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 34.0 28.0 Regular $2,150

CO2 Emissions: 355.5 g/mile (Small Station Wagons)

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

NHTSA Safety Investigations — SATURN SW

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE93004 Opened: Feb 5, 1993 — Closed: Jun 8, 1993
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1992
SEATBACK FAILURE
There is no summary currently available

SATURN SW — All Years Overview

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

17 Total Recalls
274 Total Complaints
1 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

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