SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1996 Saturn Sw

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Saturn Sw do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →
20Owner complaints

Model-year median: 20

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
199330
199436
199520
199631
199727
199816
1999
Compare all Sw years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
6Electrical System
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Fuel System, Gasoline
2Power Train
2
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1Steering
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

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

Electrical System complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
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

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 · Mar 9, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WRONG SPARK PLUG INSTALLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITANTLY.

NHTSA ODI #531997

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #605666

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1997
Electrical System

SPARK PLUG FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #522525

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.