1996 Saturn Sw recalls & problems
The 1996 Saturn Sw has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 20 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (7 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Saturn Sw.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
SW
| City / highway | 24 / 35 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
SW
| City / highway | 23 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
SW
| City / highway | 22 / 32 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SW
| City / highway | 21 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Pads | 7 | — |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline | 6 | — |
| Electrical system Ignition; Horn | 5 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting; Delivery | 3 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines | 3 | — |
| Exterior lighting Headlights › Switch | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | — |
| Suspension Front | 1 | — |
| Wheels Rim | 1 | — |
| Visibility Windshield wiper/washer | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Jan 15, 2009 · 161,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine
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 - Feb 1, 2007Seats
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 - Sep 1, 2004Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB - Jan 9, 2004 · 27,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine
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 - Nov 1, 2002 · fireSteering
WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE COMPARTMENT BEGAN FILLING WITH GRAY SMOKE. ELECTRICAL WIRING FROM THE STEERING SMOLDERED AND MELTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. MR - Nov 18, 2001Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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 - Mar 1, 2001Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
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 - Mar 25, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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 .
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.