Saturn S-Series Problems by Year
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the Saturn S-Series, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 2001 model year has the most complaints (5). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Saturn S-Series years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S-Series model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 S-Series: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 S-Series: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 S-Series: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1995 S-Series: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1997 S-Series: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1996 S-Series: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Saturn S-Series problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Saturn S-Series model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 S-Series | 3 | 0 | — | Power Train | |
| 2001 S-Series | 5 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 2000 S-Series | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 S-Series | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 S-Series | 2 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 1997 S-Series | 1 | 0 | — | Tires | |
| 1996 S-Series | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1995 S-Series | 1 | 0 | — | Power Train |
More from Saturn: all Saturn models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn S-Series years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2001 (5), 2002 (3), 2000 (3). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Saturn S-Series?
Electrical System, with 5 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Saturn S-Series have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.