The 2001 Saturn Sw has 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (1 complaint).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints6filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
NHTSA recall 00V309000 · Oct 12, 2000 · 6,092 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
NHTSA recall 00V310000 · Oct 12, 2000 · 65,000 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Fix: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
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
27mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 34 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
SW
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SW
26mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
1
1
0
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Rear/other
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 10, 2009 · 64,734 milesElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER LOCK AND THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RELATED MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,734.
Jan 27, 2014 · 41,000 milesFuel/propulsion system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A VISIBLE FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.
Jun 7, 2009 · 68,000 milesFuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW2. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20-25 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE FUEL TANK DETACHED AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH BRACKETS WERE ROTTED OFF OF THE FUEL TANK. ONE BRACKET FELL OFF COMPLETELY. HE CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALLS. THERE WAS NO RUST ON THE VEHICLE EXCEPT ON THE FUEL TANK BRACKETS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,000.
Oct 31, 2005 · 25,000 milesSeat belts › Rear/other DT: CONTACT STATED WHEN LATCHING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IT WILL NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE OCCUPANT. AS THE OCCUPANT LEANED FORWARD THE SEAT BELT CONTINUED TO LOOSEN. THE SERVICE DEALER SAID THE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SEAT BELT WAS USED UNDER LIGHT TO NORMAL CONDITIONS. *AK
Jan 23, 2004 · 48,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe WHILE DRIVING, ANTI FREEZE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *AK *SC
Feb 14, 2001 · crash · 1 injuryPower train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. WHILE WALKING AWAY GEAR SOME HOW JUMPED INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE. SATURN HAS BEEN OCNTACTED. *AK THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND ANY MECHANICAL CAUSE FOR THE INCIDENT. *YH
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.