Menu

1998 Saturn SWProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1998 Saturn SW, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the SW median · #4 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints277 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 15, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Saturn SW has problems

27 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
Engine and engine cooling61
Vehicle speed control50
Power train30
Visibility30
Seat belts20
Air bags22
Seats22
Electrical system10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
3 other systems30

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

0 recalls

1998 Saturn SW recalls and how many were fixed

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

Best & worst years

1998 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 engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10111244 · Feb 9, 2005 · 50,000 miles
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…
Complaint 738154 · Dec 22, 2000
BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY ENGINE CATCHES ON FIRE. VERY SUDDEN. NO INDICATION OF UPCOMING PROBLEM. CAR UNDER WARRANTY. TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Complaint 703402 · Feb 17, 1999

Own a 1998 SW?

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