1998 Saturn SW problems
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Saturn SW. Cruise control is the most reported problem area, at 16% of complaints. Next are engine (16%) and brakes (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Cruise control 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What the data shows
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Saturn SW with enough data (21 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Backing out of driveway engine catches on fire. Very sudden. No indication of upcoming problem. Car under warranty. Total loss.
Consumer was coming out of the parking lot going south. The person was driving north making a left turn the driver made a left turn too short, and in the process they hit each other. Consumer's airbags didn't deploy. Also, consumer was hurt, suffered a hairlike fracture on her tail bone.
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.
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.