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1997 Saturn SWProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 1997 Saturn SW, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the SW median · #3 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints315 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 14, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Saturn SW has problems

31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system82
Power train50
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Seat belts30
Fuel system, gasoline30
Air bags21
Tires20
Exterior lighting10
Service brakes11
4 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1997 Saturn SW recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other SW year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SW median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What SW owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS 1997 SATURN SW2 HAS GM'S IGNITION PROBLEM. THE AIR BAGS WERE BLOWN ONCE THIS FRIED THE WIRES BELOW THE STEARING AND NOW THEY SAY THIS IS NOT. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, STREET, I JUST PUSHED IT OFF THE ROAD FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 2 WEEKS AND NOW I MAY LOOSE EVERYTHING I HAVE IN MY…
Complaint 11010919 · Jul 27, 2017 · 139,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE IGNITION AFTER THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY REMOVED THE KEY AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN…
Complaint 10725806 · Jun 17, 2015 · 150,000 miles
THE ENGINE TURNS OFF DURING DRIVING OR COMING TO A STOP IF I LEAVE THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT OR 4HRS LATER IT WILL START AND RUN FOR ABOUT A HOUR THEN IT TURNS OFF, HAD A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CHECK AND THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. REPLACED THE IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK PLUG CABLES,…
Complaint 10220011 · Mar 4, 2008

Own a 1997 SW?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.