Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
161,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 PLASTIC; IT IS NOW ALUMINUM OR S…
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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 PLASTIC; IT IS NOW ALUMINUM OR SOME FORM OF METAL. SMALL LEAKS ARE ONE THING;THESE MAJOR LEAKS ARE ANOTHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10255221
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2007
Seats
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 INCORRECTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189019
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10092220
27,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #10054109
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Electrical SystemSteeringFire
WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE COMPARTMENT BEGAN FILLING WITH GRAY SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE STEERING SMOLDERED AND MELTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR
NHTSA ODI #8022054
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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 CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR …
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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 CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754821
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2001
Power Train
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
NHTSA ODI #890906
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
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 SINCE THE ENGINE WAS WORKED ON…
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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 SINCE THE ENGINE WAS WORKED ON WE'VE HAD AN OIL LEAK, THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE LEAKAGE WAS IN NORMAL RANGE . WE USE 1-3 QTS EVERY MONTH .
NHTSA ODI #746521
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2001
Visibility
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 WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PULL OFF TH…
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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 WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD THIS MORNING. DANGEROUS SITUATION AT BEST IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738659
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
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
NHTSA ODI #874353
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Saturn Sw Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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