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1996 Saturn Sw

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Saturn Sw do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →
20Owner complaints

Model-year median: 20

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
199330
199436
199520
199631
199727
199816
1999
Compare all Sw years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
6Electrical System
5Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Fuel System, Gasoline
2Power Train
2
All reported categories
Exterior Lighting
1Seats
1Steering
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
161,000 miles · Jan 15, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 S…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10255221

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10092220

27,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

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

NHTSA ODI #10054109

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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…

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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 .

NHTSA ODI #746521

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WRONG SPARK PLUG INSTALLED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITANTLY.

NHTSA ODI #531997

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling

WRONG GAS PLUGS WERE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE DURING MANUFACTURING. PROBLEM CAUSED STALLING AND OTHER PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #820757

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.