Saturn SWModel year report

1996 Saturn SW Problems

Complaints: 20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 94,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 27 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SW. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and brakes (4). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “The saturnsw2 gasket cover warped year after year;they redesigned it;it should be covered under a recall; many thousands of these covers have put people in danger of a fire with the oil leaks;the expense of changing out the engine is horrific, for a cheap piece of plastic they no longer make from plastic; it is now aluminum or some form of metal. Small leaks are one thing;these major leaks are another.”

NHTSA complaint #10255221, filed 2009-01, 161,000 miles

Brakes: “Driving on back road, brake pedal repeatedly went straight to floor without resistance. Had to use engine braking and hand brake to slow or stop car. Gas station attendant reported full brake fluid reservoir. Normal braking resumed spontaneously on way home. Dealer unable to replicate problem and claims inability to diagnose or repair.”

NHTSA complaint #754821, filed 2001-11

Fuel system: “Gasket that seals the gas line to gas pump became loose and caused fuel to spray onto engine block, which may have caused a fire. Another vehicle experienced the same problem. Dealer will replace the gasket at owner's expense. Common problem. Please provide further information.”

NHTSA complaint #860670, filed 2000-04

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 27,000 and 161,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 Saturn SW version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	24	35	28	$2,400
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	23	33	27	$2,500
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	22	32	26	$2,600
SW FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	21	31	25	$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Saturn SW in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

10233366Mar 10, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system…. This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to…
10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Other model years of the Saturn SW

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2001	6	48,000	2	—	26	—	Not enough data
2000	15	122,916	7	—	27	—	Stable
1999	16	36,000	1	—	27	—	Stable
1998	27	117,500	0	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1997	31	91,050	0	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1996	20	94,000	0	—	27	—	Stable
1995	36	97,000	2	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1994	30	115,091	1	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1993	27	77,530	2	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable

All Saturn SW model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Saturn SW have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SW as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Saturn SW is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.

Has the 1996 Saturn SW been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Saturn SW (SW, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Saturn SW reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,000 miles and the middle half falls between 27,000 and 161,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.