Reliability & cost of ownership
Saturn Sw Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Saturn Sw? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars — then open the year you're shopping for a full reliability and repair-cost forecast.
Saturn Sw problems by model year
12 recall entries and 151 owner complaints on file across 7 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Sw | 2 | 6 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 2000 Sw | 7 | 15 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 1999 Sw | 1 | 16 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 1998 Sw | 0 | 27 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 1997 Sw | 0 | 31 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 1996 Sw | 0 | 20 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
| 1995 Sw | 2 | 36 | No NCAP test | Reliability forecast → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Saturn Sw, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine and engine cooling25 complaints
- service brakes20 complaints
- hydraulic19 complaints
- power train18 complaints
- electrical system18 complaints
- seats13 complaints
- air bags11 complaints
- fuel system10 complaints