1998 Saturn SW
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1998 Saturn SW. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
27 complaints4 involved a crash1 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Suspension › Rear
Experiencing a rattle or click noise from the rear of vehicle when turning at slow speeds and/or driving over uneven surfaces.*ak
- Seat 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…
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
- Engine 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
- Parking 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…
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 form in it thus no brakes. No leaks were found anywhere in the system. Master cylinder ok .all brake pistons ok.brakes are ok as of this date. (6-30-04). Date of incident was 6-20-04..time/date of dealers report: 21 june 04 at 0839pdt. Service order 76755 primary tech. 004.*Ak
- Visibility › 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
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal hinge broke... Leaving the accelerator pedal hanging from the accelerator cable. car IS not driveable.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Vehicle burns oil prematurely. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving at any speed and without any prior warning vehicle stalled. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
Rpms do not always return to idle after removal of accelerator pressure. the rpms at random times, remain at 1800 to 2200 as indicated by the tachometer. the engine IS also noisy when coming to a stop. consumer has to shift from drive to neutral when coming to a stop, but rpms still race from…
Rpms do not always return to idle after removal of accelerator pressure. the rpms at random times, remain at 1800 to 2200 as indicated by the tachometer. the engine IS also noisy when coming to a stop. consumer has to shift from drive to neutral when coming to a stop, but rpms still race from 1000 rpm to 2200. normal tachometer response IS usually from 750 to 1000 rpms. consumer IS concerned this IS putting wear and tear on transmission and brakes. on other occasions, the vehicle jumped backwards when consumer removed his foot from brake pedal. *tt
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Whilr at a complete stop, vehicle will not return to correct idle position, it will stay at a high idle point. Contacted dealer, and the dealer can not locate the problem.*ak.*jg
- Vehicle speed control
This ignition-high idle problem has exhisted since ownership and first part replacement underwarenty was the idle air control j5542 in feb. 2000. the idle acceleration problem started in 1999, however, could not be repeated during tests drive until feb. 15,2000. at the 42,000 service the same…
This ignition-high idle problem has exhisted since ownership and first part replacement underwarenty was the idle air control j5542 in feb. 2000. the idle acceleration problem started in 1999, however, could not be repeated during tests drive until feb. 15,2000. at the 42,000 service the same complaint was addressed with the iac motor replaced. the 60,000 mile service the temp. Sensor and ignition module was replaced for $391.00, and the problem of acceleration continues with the rpm's over 2,000. I am concerned for my saftey. the car has actually accelerated without gas/or clutch changes. if I were on ice, which this area IS noted for in the winter, I would be in danger. again, this happens when the car has been driven for a while and the motor IS warm, and intermittantly.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
When engine warms up/slowing down or stopping rpms will increase. also if taken feet of gas pedal, vehicle will accelerate on its own. This happens intermittently. Contacted dealer, and dealer repaired and replaced parts, but still did not remedy the problem. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine runs rough and stalls. Sometimes ses light comes on, sometimes not. Vehicle will not start. I have had this car to the dealer 8 times in 2 years and they always "fix" something--something different everytime, but the symptoms are the same every time. Dealer says there IS "nothing wrong with…
Engine runs rough and stalls. Sometimes ses light comes on, sometimes not. Vehicle will not start. I have had this car to the dealer 8 times in 2 years and they always "fix" something--something different everytime, but the symptoms are the same every time. Dealer says there IS "nothing wrong with my car" and that the problem IS different every time I bring it in. Several times there have been no codes stored to indicate what the problem was-therefore, according to the dealer-"there IS no problem". I don't make this stuff up!!! I am tired of taking the car in for this problem, it has most recently been in on oct. 12, 2000 , dec. 1, 2000 , and dec. 21, 2000---everytime I reported the same problems and according to the dealer, every time it IS a different problem. There IS something wrong with this vehicle causing this problem to continue. I have all the repair records.*ak
- Seat belts
Seat belts will tighten while switching lanes or when increasing speed. Consumer cannot move around to check traffic behind her. has been to dealer who said that belts are working as designed. please add additional information. *ak
- Seats
Seats collapsed when rear ended while stopped at light--if passenger was in back seat, there IS a strong possibility of serious injury. if it's a small child, death from the impact of the collapsing seat could cause death.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
My mechanic told me he has had to replace several transmissions on 1998 saturns, so mine IS not an isolated incident.
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Power window relay failed. yh
- Vehicle speed control
Cruise control failed. yh
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Front power window regulator failed, replacement failed also. yh
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Power train › Driveline › Universal joint
Inner cv joint / boot clamp / wheel bearing failed. *yc
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer vehicle was at a stand still when another vehicle rear ended it at an impact of approximately 40 mph, causing both front seats to fall backward; dealer/mfr. Notifed and had nothing postive to say. Seeking information from nhtsa in this matter. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Battery failed. *yc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Backing out of driveway engine catches on fire. Very sudden. No indication of upcoming problem. Car under warranty. Total loss. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Master cylinder IS defective, causing the brake pedal to hit floor, resulting in loss of brakes, also front brakes get very hot, but back brakes are cool. *ak
- Air bags
Heavy frontal impact. Both front air bags did not deploy.
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.
- 10248444Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10233369This 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.
- 10082506This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient temperature areas due to calibration concerns.
- 614008Some customers may comment about abnormal wear or a cut on the inboard edge of the driver or passenger seat back cover.
- 605959Vehicles built after and including wz150315 may exhibit a dome lamp that IS either inoperative, working intermittently, or flickers when turned on.
- 600228Experiencing a rattle or click noise from the rear of vehicle when turning at slow speeds and/or driving over uneven surfaces.
Every Saturn SW model year
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