Owners filed 15 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › engine. It has been recalled 7 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
2
0
1
0
Visibility › Windshield
1
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
1
1
0
1
Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
1
0
0
0
Steering
1
1
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
1
0
0
0
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
1
0
0
0
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
1
0
0
0
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
0
0
0
7 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch00V310000
Filed Oct 12, 200065,000 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
Risk. THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy. SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V309000
Filed Oct 12, 20006,092 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Risk. FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
Structure › Body99V297000
Filed Oct 27, 19997,505 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.
Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage99V280000
Filed Oct 20, 1999265,698 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components99V231000
Filed Aug 24, 19995,373 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PIPE ATTACHMENT NUTS THAT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk. IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.
Unknown or Other99V230000
Filed Aug 23, 19992,692 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN QUALITY STANDARDS.
Risk. A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.
Structure › Body › Bumpers99V232000
Filed Aug 23, 19991,592 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.
Risk. IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING, THE REAR BUMPER MAY NOT ABSORB ENERGY AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Nov 14, 201665,000 milesIN
AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND WAS IN SYSTEM BUT NOT REPLACED. IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH FUEL NOT ABLE TO REACH. IGNITION SWITCH WIRE BURNED AND WAS RECALLED PRIOR BUT NOT GIVEN TO MY MAKE MODEL. MUFFLER NOT ABLE TO CONTROL EXHAUST SYSTEM.
Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 1, 2015170,000 milesOH
ON MAY 29TH, 2015 AT APPROX. 5:30 PM EST THE DRIVER'S 2000 SATURN SW2 HAD UNCONTROLLABLE SUDDEN FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR & COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PRIVATE BUSINESS PARKING LOT ONTO A PUBLIC ROADWAY. DRIVER TRAVELLED APPROX.100 FT. WITH FULL ON BRAKES APPLIED & AVOIDED POTENTIALLY STRIKING ONCOMING ROAD TRAFFIC BY DRIVING PARALLEL TO THE ROADWAY & DRIVING HEAD ON INTO A ROADWAY BRIDGE GUARDRAIL TERMINAL END TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUAD & TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE LEFT FOOT & RIGHT ANKLE. OTHER PHYSICAL INJURIES ARE PRESENTING THEMSELVES A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 2, 2014200,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 30, 2011230,000 milesMI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SW2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY AND SWUNG OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AMONGST THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 04/25/11 *BF
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 23, 2008NC
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT (NC) THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ON HER 2000 SATURN SW1, DEALER CLAIMS THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TAKE GAS. SHE WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY PRINTED OUT A RECALL AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2004WI
TWO MAJOR GASKET PROBLEMS WITH A SATURN 2000 SW2 WAGON. TOTAL REPAIR COST $1,500.*AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2003FL
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.*AK
Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Oct 1, 200375,833 milesMI
THE REAR STABILIZER LINKS FROZE UP, DUE TO ROAD DIRT, SALT ETC. *AK *JB
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Feb 12, 2003WV
THE BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.*JB
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 25, 200254,000 milesNC
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED SAID CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. TS *TT
SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 6, 2002CA
AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Aug 14, 2002CA
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN CUT AT 22000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. *YH
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Aug 26, 2001CT
STRESS INDUCED CRACKING OF EXHAUST SYSTEM RESONATOR OUTLET END PLATE.*AK
Visibility › Windshield
Filed Apr 3, 2000CA
WHILE DRIVING IN WARM TEMPERATURE WINDSHIELD WILL GET FILM ON INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NO SOLUTION YET. *AK *ML
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly
Filed Feb 24, 2000PA
REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BUILT-IN LOCKING CLIP; UPON INSTALLING A CHILD SEAT THE LOCKING CLIP BROKE IN HALF. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. PARTS BEENING SENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 12, 2000. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.