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: 1 of 1 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.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
66,000 miles · Aug 11, 2004
Power Train
CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD WHINE. TOOK IT TO MY AUTO-TECH AND WAS PLACED ON DIAGNOSTICS. WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THIS IS AT THE 66,000 MILE MARK. LET SATURN KNOW THIS AND BECAUSE I DID NOT GET MY CAR SERVICED THERE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS NOT MUCH THEY COULD DO FOR ME! WHAT A RIP!…
Read full complaint
CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD WHINE. TOOK IT TO MY AUTO-TECH AND WAS PLACED ON DIAGNOSTICS. WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THIS IS AT THE 66,000 MILE MARK. LET SATURN KNOW THIS AND BECAUSE I DID NOT GET MY CAR SERVICED THERE AT THE DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS NOT MUCH THEY COULD DO FOR ME! WHAT A RIP! EVEN FOLLOWING THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON MY OWN, THERE IS NOT MUCH THEY COULD DO FOR ME! I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH A CAR COMPANY WHEN TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AT THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK INTO THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES!!!! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10086652
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.
1997 Saturn Wagon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year