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Saturn SWModel year report

1997 Saturn SW Problems

Complaints
31filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
91,050miles, 6 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 1997 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1997 Saturn SW. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 91,050 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Other or unknown (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11010919, filed 2017-07, 139,000 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #860222, filed 2000-04

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10149963, filed 2006-02, 90,100 miles

Fuel system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #560938, filed 2001-04

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 59,200 and 139,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5033%50–7533%75–10017%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 91,050 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’986’006’02’04’07’15’18
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 1997 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl5-speed manual243428$2,400
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl5-speed manual233327$2,500
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic233126$2,600
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic213125$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 1997 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. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.

Other model years of the Saturn SW

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2001648,0002—26—Not enough data
200015122,9167—27—Stable
19991636,0001—27—Stable
199827117,5000—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19973191,0500—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19962094,0000—27—Stable
19953697,0002—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199430115,0911—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19932777,5302—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Saturn SW have?

NHTSA recorded 31 consumer complaints for the 1997 Saturn SW as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Saturn SW is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (26% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.

Has the 1997 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 1997 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Saturn SW reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 91,050 miles and the middle half falls between 59,200 and 139,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.