1998 Saturn SW Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other SW years
- More complaints than other years 3rd of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Saturn SW. That ranks 3rd out of 7 SW model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints, 22%), typically at around 90,500 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 27owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Saturn SW problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 22% | 90,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 19% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 11% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 11% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 4% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Saturn SW recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 1998 Saturn SW.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Experiencing a rattle or click noise from the rear of vehicle when turning at slow speeds and/or driving over uneven surfaces.*ak
Dt: 1998 saturn sw2. The consumer stated the driver's side seat belt broke while the vehicle was in use. The latch came loose. She has spoken with saturn, they told her to take it in to be inspected. On the way to the dealership they were pulled over for not wearing a seat belt. Therefore, the…
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. *ak
Brake failure. On sr88 southbound to liberty rd. 19'98 saturn sw2, 110000 miles. Condition excellent. Coming to liberty rd at about 55 mph slowng for rt turn..brake pedal went to the floor. Zero braking effect. Luckily pulled ahead to a wide, safe shoulder. Called aaa for tow,,meantwhile pumped…
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. *ak windshield was inspected for cracks, none was found. In addition, crack reached to both left and right sides that spanned approximately 8…
Other Saturn SW years
See all Saturn SW problems by year, every Saturn model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Saturn models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Saturn SW?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 6 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Saturn SW?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 1998 Saturn SW a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SW model years, the 1998 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.