1998 Saturn Sw recalls & problems
The 1998 Saturn Sw has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 27 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 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 / 34 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
SW
| City / highway | 23 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SW
| City / highway | 23 / 33 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* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine | 6 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline › Constant velocity joint | 5 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal | 5 | — |
| Visibility Power window devices and controls; Windshield | 3 | — |
| Air bags Frontal | 2 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Master cylinder; Foundation components › Disc | 2 | — |
| Seats Front assembly › Recliner | 2 | — |
| Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly | 2 | — |
| Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery | 1 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | — |
| Parking brake Conventional › Mechanical | 1 | — |
| Suspension Rear | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Apr 4, 2007Suspension › Rear
EXPERIENCING A RATTLE OR CLICK NOISE FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS AND/OR DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES.*AK - Sep 1, 2005Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DT: 1998 SATURN SW2. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE. THE LATCH CAME LOOSE. SHE HAS SPOKEN WITH SATURN, THEY TOLD HER TO TAKE IT IN TO BE INSPECTED. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE PULLED OVER FOR NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET MADE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. SATURN STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE SAFETY BELT WAS STILL NOT WORKING. THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT TUESDAY.*AK - Dec 23, 2004 · 50,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ENGINE STALLED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE BEARING WORE OUT COMPLETELY ON ONE SIDE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK - Jun 20, 2004 · 110,000 milesParking brake › Conventional › Mechanical
BRAKE FAILURE. ON SR88 SOUTHBOUND TO LIBERTY RD. 19'98 SATURN SW2, 110000 MILES. CONDITION EXCELLENT. COMING TO LIBERTY RD AT ABOUT 55 MPH SLOWNG FOR RT TURN..BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ZERO BRAKING EFFECT. LUCKILY PULLED AHEAD TO A WIDE, SAFE SHOULDER. CALLED AAA FOR TOW,,MEANTWHILE PUMPED PEDAL FOR HALF HOUR WHEN GOT SLSIGHT RESPONSE FROM PEDAL WHICH FINALLY ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER GAVE FULL PEDAL. CANCELLED TOW. WENT INTO LODI, CA ABOUT 15 MORE MILES SAFELY. SATURN DEALER STATES THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. MECHANIC STATES THAT IF THE PARKING BRAKE WERE ENGAGED EVEN SLIGHTLY THE REAR DRUMS WOULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID TO GET SO HOT THAT BUBBLES WOULD… - Jan 20, 2004 · 125,000 milesVisibility › Windshield
THERE IS A CRACK IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT BEGINS WERE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS ATTACHED TO THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE TROUGH FRONT WINDSHIELD. *AK WINDSHIELD WAS INSPECTED FOR CRACKS, NONE WAS FOUND. IN ADDITION, CRACK REACHED TO BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES THAT SPANNED APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES. *LA - Feb 10, 2004Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
ACCELERATOR PEDAL HINGE BROKE... LEAVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HANGING FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE.*AK - Jan 23, 2004 · 131,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. *AK - Apr 11, 2003Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.