Saturn S-Series Sedan Problems by Year
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Saturn S-Series Sedan, across 6 model years (1997–2002). The 2001 model year has the most complaints (4). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Saturn S-Series Sedan years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No S-Series Sedan model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2001 S-Series Sedan: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 S-Series Sedan: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2002 S-Series Sedan: 3 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1998 S-Series Sedan: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 1997 S-Series Sedan: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 S-Series Sedan: 3 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 Sedan problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Saturn S-Series Sedan model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 S-Series Sedan | 3 | 1 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2001 S-Series Sedan | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2000 S-Series Sedan | 3 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 S-Series Sedan | 4 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 S-Series Sedan | 1 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1997 S-Series Sedan | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
More from Saturn: all Saturn models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn S-Series Sedan years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2001 (4), 1999 (4), 2002 (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 Sedan?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 6 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Saturn S-Series Sedan have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.