1997 Saturn Sw problems
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Common 1997 Saturn Sw problems
The Saturn SW2, produced from 1997 to 1999, was part of the second generation of the Saturn S-series:
- Trip Odometer Noise: Another common problem with the Saturn SW2 is the noise coming from the vehicle's trip odometer. This issue was so prevalent that Saturn eventually replaced the original trip odometer with a new type in an effort to correct the problem. For the 1998 model year, a new cluster with a digital trip odometer had been introduced to address this issue.
- Engine Performance Issues: Some Saturn SW2 owners have reported engine performance issues, such as the car stalling or jerking while driving. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty fuel pumps, clogged fuel filters, or issues with the car's ignition system. In some cases, the issue may be related to the car's mass air flow sensor, which can become dirty or damaged over time and lead to poor engine performance.
- Starting Problems: Some Saturn SW2 owners have reported difficulty starting the car, especially in cold weather. This issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including a weak battery, faulty ignition system components, or issues with the car's fuel system. In some cases, the issue may be related to the car's PCM (powertrain control module), which can fail and prevent the car from starting.
- Rust Issues: While not as prevalent as in some other cars of the same era, the Saturn SW2 can still suffer from rust issues, particularly in areas where salt is used on the roads during the winter months. Rust can affect various parts of the car, including the frame, body panels, and suspension components, and can lead to a variety of problems, including reduced structural integrity and decreased vehicle value .
In summary, the Saturn SW2 is a popular car that has several common problems, including front brake rotor wear, trip odometer noise, engine performance issues, starting problems, and rust issues. While these issues can be frustrating for car owners, they are generally not insurmountable and can often be addressed with proper maintenance and repair.
How long is the life expectancy of a Saturn car?
Best Answer
Actually you can get up 400,000 miles out of that car if you take care of it & change the fluids regularly just like any car proper maintenance see & what happens good luck !
Why won't my Saturn SW2 start?
The most common reasons a Saturn SW2 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Is Saturn a reliable car?
Plus, for the most part, the cars were fairly reliable. Twin-cam models were consistently solid and although single-cam engines from 1992 to 1998 occasionally developed cylinder head cracks, that issue seemed to only affect a small percentage of Saturns.
Is Saturn a reliable car brand?
Some of the most common weaknesses in Saturn reliability are the internal components and comfort features. While Saturn engines, transmissions, suspension, and brakes have tended to hold up well over long use, the seals on their doors, seats and internal finish haven't always held up as well.
1997 Saturn Sw car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saturn Sw problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Saturn Sw vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1997 Saturn Sw
The NHTSA has received 31 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Saturn Sw. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1997 Saturn Sw vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-25
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZK827XVZ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED, BUT ALSO FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND BUMPS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ... *BF *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-26
- VIN: 1G8ZK8272VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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 LIFE. I CAN NOT EVEN GET THE "FIX" FOR THE RECALLS UNLESS I PAY CLOSE TO $200. FOR INSTRUCTIONS TO DO IT MYSELF. I FIND THIS UNFAIR BEING THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS ONCE THEY KNEW AND NOT WAITED FOR ATTORNEYS TO SAY "HOW MANY", COMPLAINTS = LAWSUIT. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO JOIN IN IF NOTHING ELSE HAPPENS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-04-21
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZH8287VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-03-20
- VIN: 1G8ZH8285VZ
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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, GAS FILTER, CLEAN THROTTLE VALVE HOUSING. SPEED ODOMETER MAKES A RUBBING NOISE. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-09-26
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SW2. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE FIREHAWK ATX TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRAG. SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN BUMPING AND JUMPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED NEAR THE SIDEWALL FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. APPROXIMATELY HALF OF THE TIRE WAS RIPPED. AAA ARRIVED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. FIRESTONE ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE TIRE TO A LOCAL STORE. A FIRESTONE AGENT INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE TOO OLD. THE AGENT THEN OFFERED TO REPLACE ONLY THE FAILED TIRE INSTEAD OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01T006000. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,647 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-01-27
- VIN: 1G8ZK8272VZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION BLOWN FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-04-13
- VIN: 1G8ZK8275VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SERVICE DEALER STATES THE IGNITION COIL PACK HAD MALFUNCTIONED. *NM THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. *SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-22
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER STATED DOOR BELL WAS ACTING AS IF THE LIGHTS WERE ON, AND THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC, HE KEPT PRESSING ON THE BUTTON, AND GOT IT TO SHUT OFF. THEN HE REINSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. AFTER MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FOR THE SMOKING, IT WAS FOUND TO BE A BURNING HARNESS WIRE. IT WOULD COST FROM $800.00 TO $1000.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE DID NOT THINK THIS WAS FAIR BECAUSE THE MECHANIC CAUSED THIS PROBLEM, IT HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS FIXING SOMETHING ELSE. SHE WANTED TO KNOW -WHY SHE HAD TO PAY WHEN IT WAS JUST A PART OF THE REPAIR FOR THE DOOR BELL/IGNITION FALSE ALARM? *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-04-05
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZH8289VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I CALLED SATURN OF EATONTOWN, NJ REPORTING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION AND DOOR BELL ALARM-IT RANG CONSTANTLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANGER NOT TO WORRY, USE A LITTLE CW SPREAD; 3 DAYS LATER, THE STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. SATURN IS REFUSING TO HONOR SAFETY RECALL TSB # 97-C-02, DATED APR 97, TITLED, "RECALL-IGNITION CYLINDER MALFUNCTION." I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER FEDERAL LAW A MANUFACTURER-INITIATED SAFETY RECALL IS EQUAL TO A NHTSA SAFETY RECALL AND MUST BE REMEDIED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. ANTHONY A. SESSA P. S. I AM NOT SURE WHEN MY DECEASED FATHER PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. *NLM
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-09-09
- VIN: 1G8ZK827XVZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: A BOLT IN TRANSMISSION BROKE OFF AND BROKE THROUGH THE CASING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK.. VEHICLE COULD CATCH FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 168ZJ8278VZ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNTIL IT FAILED, BUT WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE LETTER UNTIL THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING, AND AFTER THE 3RD OCCURRENCE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS INDEED DEFECTIVE, HOWEVER THE LETTER CONSUMER RECEIVED PREVIOUSLY WAS NO LONGER VALID WHICH WAS GOOD FOR 6 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES, AND CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS 6 YEARS OLD WITH 90,000 AND THEREFORE CONSUMER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGE, CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS.*JB
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-14
- VIN: 1G8ZK8279VZ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, SATURN HAD SENT CONSUMER A LETTER STATING THAT THE FUEL PUMP MAY FAIL PREMATURELY AND CAUSE EXTENDED CRANK TIME, LOSS OF POWER, AND POSSIBLE NO START CONDITIONS, SATURN GAVE A RREPLACEMENT COVERAGE OF 6 YEARS/75000 MILES, HOWEVER 5 MONTHS AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, THE FUEL REGULATOR WENT BAD, DEALER ALSO REPLACED NEW PLUGS AND SPARK PLUG WIRES, CONSUMER FEELS THE FUEL PUMP OVER PRESSURIZED THE FUEL REGULATOR CAUSING A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION IN THE FUEL REGULATOR TO FAIL. *SLC
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-12-06
- VIN: 1G8ZK8276VZ
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: TIRE WAS READY TO THROW TREAD (FIRESTONE AFFINITY TOURING TI - P185-65R15). NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-09-15
- VIN: 1G8ZK8277VZ
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS GUSHY AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP.*AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-28
- VIN: 1G8ZK8277VZ
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE LAP BELT AREA THEREBY NOT ALLOWING ME TO FASTEN MY BELT. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO DRIVE UNBELTED BUT I COULD NOT BELT UP. WORKED FINE THE DAY BEFORE. DEALER SAID BELT MUST BE REPLACED BUT I MUST PAY VEHICLE IS PAST THE 3YR 36000 MILE WARRANTY. I MADE A MISTAKE AS I THOUGHT THAT SAFETY AND EMISSIONS WERE COVERED LONGER.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-13
- VIN: 1G8ZK8278VZ
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THROTTLE HANGS AND "RATCHETS" UPWARD WITH SPEED (CRUISE) CONTROL ENGAGED. TURNING SPEED CONTROL SWITCH TO "OFF" DOES NOT CORRECT THE CONDITION, NEITHER DOES APPLYING THE BRAKES. MANUALLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO UN-STICK THE THROTTLE CAUSED FURTHER UPWARD "RATCHETING" OF THE THROTTLE AND FURTHER INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. VEHICLE REMAINS IN A STATE OF "RUNAWAY" UNTIL THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF. SWITCHING THE IGNITION "OFF" USUALLY CORRECTS THE CONDITION. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS: DECEMBER, 1999; AND MAY 13, 2000. REPORTED TO DEALER IN DECEMBER, 1999 (SO# 85066). DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH SPEED CONTROL. FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN VEHICLE RUNNING A "STOP" SIGN AT END OF EXIT RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH , BUT NO CRASH. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. SECOND INCIDENT WAS CORRECTED BY TURNING OFF IGNITION AND COASTING TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. INCIDENTS OCCURRED WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-10
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED WITHIN THE FIRST MILE OF DRIVING,. THEN BRAKES FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. ASKING NHTSA TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-16
- VIN: 1G8ZK8279VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: UPON STARTING VEHICLE A HUGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. DRIVER SHUT OFF THE IGNTION AND REMOVED THE KEY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTERWARDS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE ALL WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FOUND TO BE BURNED. INSURANCE COMPANY NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. ALL THE WIRING WILL BE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *ML
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G8ZK8278VZ
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEATBELT WILL NOT UNREEL FROM OPEN POSITION ,AND WILL NOT RELEASE, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH8281VZ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: NO SUMMARY.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G8ZH8288VZ
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE SEAT BELTS IN OUR SATURN DO NOT ALLOW US TO INSTALL CHILD CAR SEATS IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THEY DO NOT MOVE. WE HAVE PURCHASED A CAR BED FOR OUR BABY - DUE ANY MOMENT - ONLY TO FIND THAT WE CANNOT SECURE A CAR SEAT WITH BELTS THAT COME OUT OF THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. SATURN SAYS THEIR BELTS COMPLY - THE CAR SEAT MANUFACTURER SAYS SAYS THEY COMPLY AND YET WE DON'T HAVE A SAFE WAY TO INSTALL THE TWO CAR SEATS WE NEED FOR OUR GIRLS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A SEAT BELT THAT COMES OUT OF THE SEAT CANNOT SAFELY BE USED WITH ANY CAR SEAT. I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO ENSURE MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY, SATURN SAYS IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-01
- VIN: 1G8ZK8277VZ
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G8ZK8271VZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HORN FAILED. NLM
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-10-01
- VIN: 1G8ZK5279VZ
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: WINDSHIELD WASHER JETS FAILED. NLM
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-12-01
- VIN: 1G8ZK827XV1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE, WARMING UP AND ALL PEOPLE WERE IN THE HOUSE WHEN VEHICLE WENT INTO GEAR AND DROVE THROUGH THE GARAGE. *AK
Additional sources
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