1998 SATURN SW
0 recalls, 31 complaints - 9 TSBs
No recalls found for this vehicle.
Complaint Statistics
31 total complaints
4 crashes 1 fires 3 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
SUSPENSION:REAR
Apr 15, 2007
Incident date: Apr 4, 2007
EXPERIENCING A RATTLE OR CLICK NOISE FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Sep 14, 2005
Incident date: Sep 1, 2005
DT: 1998 SATURN SW2. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE LATCH CAME LOOSE. SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH SATURN, THEY TOLD HER TO TAKE IT IN TO BE INSPECTED. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE PULLED OVER FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. THEREFORE, THE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Feb 9, 2005
Incident date: Dec 23, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING WORE OUT COMPLETELY ON ONE SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL
Jun 30, 2004
Incident date: Jun 20, 2004
BRAKE FAILURE. ON SR88 SOUTHBOUND TO LIBERTY RD. 19'98 SATURN SW2, 110000 MILES. CONDITION EXCELLENT. COMING TO LIBERTY RD AT ABOUT 55 MPH SLOWNG FOR RT TURN..BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ZERO BRAKING EFFECT. LUCKILY PULLED AHEAD TO A WIDE, SAFE SHOULDER. CALLED AAA FOR TOW,,MEANTWHILE PUMPED PEDA... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Mar 29, 2004
Incident date: Jan 20, 2004
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT BEGINS WERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE TROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK WINDSHIELD WAS INSPECTED FOR CRACKS, NONE WAS FOUND. IN ADDITION, CRACK REACHED TO BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES THAT SPANNED APPROXIMATEL... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Feb 11, 2004
Incident date: Feb 10, 2004
ACCELERATOR PEDAL HINGE BROKE... LEAVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HANGING FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jan 30, 2004
Incident date: Jan 23, 2004
VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Oct 22, 2003
Incident date: Apr 11, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Sep 12, 2002
RPMS DO NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO IDLE AFTER REMOVAL OF ACCELERATOR PRESSURE. THE RPMS AT RANDOM TIMES, REMAIN AT 1800 TO 2200 AS INDICATED BY THE TACHOMETER. THE ENGINE IS ALSO NOISY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP, BUT RPMS STILL RACE FROM 100... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
Apr 30, 2002
Incident date: Dec 30, 1999
WHILR AT A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WILL NOT RETURN TO CORRECT IDLE POSITION, IT WILL STAY AT A HIGH IDLE POINT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK.*JG
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 30, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
THIS IGNITION-HIGH IDLE PROBLEM HAS EXHISTED SINCE OWNERSHIP AND FIRST PART REPLACEMENT UNDERWARENTY WAS THE IDLE AIR CONTROL J5542 IN FEB. 2000. THE IDLE ACCELERATION PROBLEM STARTED IN 1999, HOWEVER, COULD NOT BE REPEATED DURING TESTS DRIVE UNTIL FEB. 15,2000. AT THE 42,000 SERVICE THE SAME COMP... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Nov 29, 2001
Incident date: Apr 21, 1998
WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP/SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING RPMS WILL INCREASE. ALSO IF TAKEN FEET OF GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED PARTS, BUT STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Jan 18, 2001
Incident date: Nov 3, 1998
ENGINE RUNS ROUGH AND STALLS. SOMETIMES SES LIGHT COMES ON, SOMETIMES NOT. VEHICLE WILL NOT START. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR TO THE DEALER 8 TIMES IN 2 YEARS AND THEY ALWAYS "FIX" SOMETHING--SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERYTIME, BUT THE SYMPTOMS ARE THE SAME EVERY TIME. DEALER SAYS THERE IS "NOTHING WRONG WITH M... Read more
SEAT BELTS
Nov 21, 2000
Incident date: Nov 1, 1999
SEAT BELTS WILL TIGHTEN WHILE SWITCHING LANES OR WHEN INCREASING SPEED. CONSUMER CANNOT MOVE AROUND TO CHECK TRAFFIC BEHIND HER. HAS BEEN TO DEALER WHO SAID THAT BELTS ARE WORKING AS DESIGNED. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
SEATS
Oct 30, 2000
Incident date: Oct 18, 2000
SEATS COLLAPSED WHEN REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT--IF PASSENGER WAS IN BACK SEAT, THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY OF SERIOUS INJURY. IF IT'S A SMALL CHILD, DEATH FROM THE IMPACT OF THE COLLAPSING SEAT COULD CAUSE DEATH.*AK
Crash
2 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Aug 31, 2000
Incident date: Jun 19, 2000
MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS ON 1998 SATURNS, SO MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Aug 23, 1999
Incident date: Jun 1, 1998
POWER WINDOW RELAY FAILED. YH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 23, 1999
Incident date: Sep 1, 1998
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. YH
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Jul 30, 1999
Incident date: Aug 15, 1998
FRONT POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, REPLACEMENT FAILED ALSO. YH
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
Jul 30, 1999
Incident date: Feb 12, 1998
INNER CV JOINT / BOOT CLAMP / WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *YC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT
Jul 30, 1999
Incident date: Feb 12, 1998
INNER CV JOINT / BOOT CLAMP / WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *YC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
Jul 30, 1999
Incident date: Feb 12, 1998
INNER CV JOINT / BOOT CLAMP / WHEEL BEARING FAILED. *YC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
May 26, 1999
Incident date: Apr 14, 1999
CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED IT AT AN IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, CAUSING BOTH FRONT SEATS TO FALL BACKWARD; DEALER/MFR. NOTIFED AND HAD NOTHING POSTIVE TO SAY. SEEKING INFORMATION FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER. *AK
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Apr 29, 1999
Incident date: Dec 1, 1998
BATTERY FAILED. *YC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Feb 17, 1999
Incident date: Feb 13, 1999
BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY ENGINE CATCHES ON FIRE. VERY SUDDEN. NO INDICATION OF UPCOMING PROBLEM. CAR UNDER WARRANTY. TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
Dec 31, 1998
Incident date: Oct 10, 1998
MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT FLOOR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES, ALSO FRONT BRAKES GET VERY HOT, BUT BACK BRAKES ARE COOL. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Dec 31, 1998
Incident date: Oct 10, 1998
MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT FLOOR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES, ALSO FRONT BRAKES GET VERY HOT, BUT BACK BRAKES ARE COOL. *AK
AIR BAGS
Dec 16, 1998
Incident date: Dec 10, 1998
HEAVY FRONTAL IMPACT. BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Nov 9, 1998
Incident date: Sep 2, 1998
CONSUMER WAS COMING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT GOING SOUTH. THE PERSON WAS DRIVING NORTH MAKING A LEFT TURN THE DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN TOO SHORT, AND IN THE PROCESS THEY HIT EACH OTHER. CONSUMER'S AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS HURT, SUFFERED A HAIRLIKE FRACTURE ON HER TAIL BONE. *AK
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Mar 23, 1998
VEHICLE STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Mar 23, 1998
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE, CAUSING VIBRATION.
EPA Fuel Economy, 1998 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 | 26.0 | Regular | $2,400 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 24.0 | 34.0 | 27.0 | Regular | $2,300 |
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, 1998 SATURN SW
9 manufacturer communications from 7 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 020000 SUSPENSION | 1 |
| 330000 INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| 220000 SEATS | 1 |
| 353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 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 |
98-T-18C
Mar 10, 2023
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-
98-T-18C
Mar 10, 2023
138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC 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-
98-T-18C
Mar 10, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
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-
16NA260
Aug 26, 2016
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBR
Recalls
Jun 30, 2014
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Vehicle Recalls
130089009
Sep 1, 2013
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
00T38
Jul 1, 2000
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
99T11
Apr 1, 1999
330000 INTERIOR LIGHTING
VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AND INCLUDING WZ150315 MAY EXHIBIT A DOME LAMP THAT IS EITHER INOPERATIVE, WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, OR FLICKERS WHEN TURNED ON. *TT
98T07
Feb 1, 1998
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
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.