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Saturn SWModel year report

1999 Saturn SW Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
36,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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 / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Saturn SW (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1999 Saturn SW. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and equipment (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year.

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: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “My husband and daughter (age 4) were involved in an accident on july 27, 2000 in our 1999 Saturn sw1. They were sitting at a red light when they were rear ended at approximately 40-45pmh. Upon impact niether airbag deployed. I'm not sure if they were supposed to), but the major concern was that the drivers seat springs broke collapsing the drivers seat and left my husband landing in the back seat, his foot falling from the brake and rolling into traffic at approximately 12-15mph. My husband ended up injured with a thoracic strain. My daughter (in the front passenger seat) was also injured. …”

NHTSA complaint #728058, filed 2000-08

Equipment: “Broken steering wheel mechanism replaced, rusted out hood replaced. Mode control from A/C to defrost went out, less than 14,000 miles. The mode door cable disconnected due to mode door fabric coming off and caused cable to stick.”

NHTSA complaint #10099681, filed 2004-11, 13,430 miles

Seats: “Due to the design of the seats, which are angled back for safety purposes, the child safety seats do not fit properly, which could lead to injuries if in accident.”

NHTSA complaint #550198, filed 2000-01

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,430 and 37,000 miles.

0%0–1033%10–2567%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 36,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

19981999200052001200220042014
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 1999 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 manual233427$2,500
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic233226$2,600
SW FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223226$2,600

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

Recall details for the 1999 Saturn SW → · Check a 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. 9 on record; the latest 9 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 1999 Saturn SW have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1999 Saturn SW as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Saturn SW is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 1999 Saturn SW been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Saturn SW (SW, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 34 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 1999 Saturn SW reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,000 miles and the middle half falls between 13,430 and 37,000 miles; 100% 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.