1998 Saturn SW Problems
- Complaints
- 27filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 117,500miles, 4 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
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Saturn SW. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 117,500 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Engine cooling6 22%
- Air bags2 7.4%
- Brakes2 7.4%
- Seat belts2 7.4%
- Seats2 7.4%
- Electrical system1 3.7%
- Fuel system1 3.7%
Also reported: Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10111244, filed 2005-02, 50,000 milesVehicle speed control: “This ignition-high idle problem has exhisted since ownership and first part replacement underwarenty was the idle air control j5542 in feb. 2000. The idle acceleration problem started in 1999, however, could not be repeated during tests drive until feb. 15,2000. At the 42,000 service the same complaint was addressed with the iac motor replaced. The 60,000 mile service the temp. Sensor and ignition module was replaced for $391.00, and the problem of acceleration continues with the RPM's over 2,000. I am concerned for my saftey. The car has actually accelerated without gas/or clutch changes. …”
NHTSA complaint #755076, filed 2001-11Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “There is a crack in the front windshield that begins were the rear view mirror is attached to the windshield. Consumer can not see trough front windshield. Windshield was inspected for cracks, none was found. In addition, crack reached to both left and right sides that spanned approximately 8 inches.”
NHTSA complaint #10065100, filed 2004-04, 125,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 125,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | 34 | 27 | $2,500 |
| SW FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
| SW FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 33 | 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 1998 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.
- 10233369Mar 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…
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 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 1998 Saturn SW have?
NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 1998 Saturn SW as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Saturn SW is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (22% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.
Has the 1998 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 1998 Saturn SW get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Saturn SW (SW, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Saturn SW reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 117,500 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 125,000 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.