1996 Saturn SW Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 10%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Saturn SW, 10% of the 20 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“With the gasket failure, the oil and coolant mixed within the engine, the dealer had the engine flushed out and I had it back in 1 week, 2 months later while driving to work , it wouldn't shift into 2rd gear,. Had to drive it down to the dealer's 2.5 hours from home . Got it back 1 week later. Ever since the engine was worked on we've had an oil leak, the dealership said the leakage was in normal range . We use 1-3 qts every month .”
NHTSA complaint #746521, filed 2001-06“Consumer noticed vehicle was leaking on driveway, just small puddles. Dealer replaced housing unit because of cracks to transmission. Consumer feels this should not have happened considering the mileage on the vehicle and is requesting reimbursement.”
NHTSA complaint #890906, filed 2001-06Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Saturn SW
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Saturn SW
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology