1996 Saturn SW
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1996 Saturn SW. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
20 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine 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
- Seats
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
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving the oil pressure and battery lights illuminated. *mr *sc *jb
- Engine 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
- Electrical system › Wiring · Steering
While traveling 30 mph, the compartment began filling with gray smoke. electrical wiring from the steering smoldered and melted. please describe details. mr
- Service 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
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Power train › Axle assembly › Banjo housing
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 .
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Want to report defective windshield wiper fluid which freezes at 31 degrees f manufactured by r.h. Crown co. Johnstown new york 12095 bottle states freezing temp at -20 degrees f. froze in the lines in my vehicle. When engine heat melted the lines in the front the fluid froze immediately on the…
Want to report defective windshield wiper fluid which freezes at 31 degrees f manufactured by r.h. Crown co. Johnstown new york 12095 bottle states freezing temp at -20 degrees f. froze in the lines in my vehicle. When engine heat melted the lines in the front the fluid froze immediately on the windshield. I had to pull off the road to clear windshield this morning. Dangerous situation at best in freeway traffic. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
While driving at 35 mph gas line under rear seat blew up, took to dealer and they replaced cables and gas line. *ak the fuel filler door will not stay shut, because the door release cable had been bent by foreing object. *yh
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
Gasket that seals the gas line to gas pump became loose and caused fuel to spray onto engine block, which may have caused a fire. another vehicle experienced the same problem. dealer will replace the gasket at owner's expense. common problem. please provide further information. *ak
- Electrical system › Horn
Design of horn location make it hard to located the horn when needed.
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Wrong spark plug installed causing vehicle to stall intermitantly.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Wrong gas plugs were installed in vehicle during manufacturing. Problem caused stalling and other problems. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Suspension › Front · Wheels › Rim
Vehicle misalignment causing vibration/tire wear.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Spark plug failure.
- Vehicle speed control
Speed control: driving down highway, attempting to exit on a off ramp, tried to turn the cruise control off, cruise control would not go off, could not brake. Exited off ramp at approximately 65mph, went through stop sign, entered another highway, hit curb and median, and vehicle stopped. *ak *nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
Warped brake disks.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Headlight switch IS located on the tip of the turn signal; ocassionally when pushing turn signal to make a left turn, inadvertantly headlights are turned off. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS: when applying brakes during panic stopping, wheels lock up, vehicle skids, fishtails, rearend of vehicle spuns out, causing moderate loss of vehicle control, no warning, three occurrences, speed 30 to 35 mph. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10233366This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
- 614008Some customers may comment about abnormal wear or a cut on the inboard edge of the driver or passenger seat back cover.
- 600228Experiencing a rattle or click noise from the rear of vehicle when turning at slow speeds and/or driving over uneven surfaces.
- 51161Rear exterior door panel IS not tight against door structure.
Every Saturn SW model year
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