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 where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
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 overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2000 SW | 7 | 15 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1999 SW | 1 | 16 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1998 SW | 0 | 27 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1997 SW | 0 | 31 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1996 SW | 0 | 20 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1995 SW | 2 | 36 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
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 brakes, hydraulic19 complaints
- power train18 complaints
- electrical system18 complaints
- seats13 complaints
- air bags11 complaints
- fuel system, gasoline10 complaints
- seat belts9 complaints