Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2000 Saturn SW with NHTSA between 2000 and 2016.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Saturn SW. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Saturn SW
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
527.8%
Median failure at 59,500 miles
Seats
211.1%
Fuel & Propulsion
211.1%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Electrical System
211.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 132,500 mi
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 170,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
15.6%
Median failure at 230,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.6%
Suspension
15.6%
Median failure at 75,833 miles
Brakes
15.6%
Steering
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Airbags
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
450.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
112.5%
150,000+ miles
337.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2000peak 3Nov 2016
Recalls on the 2000 Saturn SW
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20002406,251 units in Canada
Structure
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Locking System. An improperly adjusted transaxle park lock cable assembly could allow shifting from the "park" position with the ignition key removed. Correction: Dealers will perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and, if necessary, adjust the cable.
Recall 2000239431 units in Canada
Fuel System
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 301 - Fuel System Integrity. Vehicles may have an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank. Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if a vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could result. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly.
Recall 199921019,869 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210 - Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. Seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and cold fall out, making the seat belt inoperative and increasing the occupant's risk of injury in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect vehicles and torque the seat belt guide anchor bolts to the proper specification.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 170,000 milesPerrysville, OHCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON MAY 29TH, 2015 AT APPROX. 5:30 PM EST THE DRIVER'S 2000 SATURN SW2 HAD UNCONTROLLABLE SUDDEN FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR & COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PRIVATE BUSINESS PARKING LOT ONTO A PUBLIC ROADWAY. DRIVER TRAVELLED APPROX.100 FT. WITH FULL ON BRAKES APPLIED & AVOIDED POTENTIALLY STRIKING ONCOMING ROAD TRAFFIC BY DRIVING PARALLEL TO THE ROADWAY & DRIVING HEAD ON INTO A ROADWAY BRIDGE GUARDRAIL TERMINAL END TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUAD & TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE LEFT FOOT & RIGHT ANKLE. OTHER PHYSICAL INJURIES ARE PRESENTING THEMSELVES A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10722803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesCincinnati, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10630098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND WAS IN SYSTEM BUT NOT REPLACED. IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH FUEL NOT ABLE TO REACH. IGNITION SWITCH WIRE BURNED AND WAS RECALLED PRIOR BUT NOT GIVEN TO MY MAKE MODEL. MUFFLER NOT ABLE TO CONTROL EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10925999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
ENGINE
AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND WAS IN SYSTEM BUT NOT REPLACED. IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH FUEL NOT ABLE TO REACH. IGNITION SWITCH WIRE BURNED AND WAS RECALLED PRIOR BUT NOT GIVEN TO MY MAKE MODEL. MUFFLER NOT ABLE TO CONTROL EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10925999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesIndianapolis, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND WAS IN SYSTEM BUT NOT REPLACED. IGNITION PROBLEMS WITH FUEL NOT ABLE TO REACH. IGNITION SWITCH WIRE BURNED AND WAS RECALLED PRIOR BUT NOT GIVEN TO MY MAKE MODEL. MUFFLER NOT ABLE TO CONTROL EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10925999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesPerrysville, OHCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON MAY 29TH, 2015 AT APPROX. 5:30 PM EST THE DRIVER'S 2000 SATURN SW2 HAD UNCONTROLLABLE SUDDEN FULL THROTTLE ACCELERATION WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE WITHOUT A FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR & COULD NOT BE STOPPED BY BRAKES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE A PRIVATE BUSINESS PARKING LOT ONTO A PUBLIC ROADWAY. DRIVER TRAVELLED APPROX.100 FT. WITH FULL ON BRAKES APPLIED & AVOIDED POTENTIALLY STRIKING ONCOMING ROAD TRAFFIC BY DRIVING PARALLEL TO THE ROADWAY & DRIVING HEAD ON INTO A ROADWAY BRIDGE GUARDRAIL TERMINAL END TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUAD & TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE LEFT FOOT & RIGHT ANKLE. OTHER PHYSICAL INJURIES ARE PRESENTING THEMSELVES A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10722803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesCincinnati, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10630098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 230,000 milesBaldwin, MI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SW2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY AND SWUNG OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AMONGST THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 04/25/11
NHTSA complaint #10393686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hickory, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT (NC) THE DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE ON HER 2000 SATURN SW1, DEALER CLAIMS THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TAKE GAS. SHE WENT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY PRINTED OUT A RECALL AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10247048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TWO MAJOR GASKET PROBLEMS WITH A SATURN 2000 SW2 WAGON. TOTAL REPAIR COST $1,500.
NHTSA complaint #10104537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Macclenny, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10043961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,833 milesBaldwin, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
THE REAR STABILIZER LINKS FROZE UP, DUE TO ROAD DIRT, SALT ETC. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10038076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Albans, WV
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA complaint #10007113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesPisgah Forest, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED SAID CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CACrash1 injured
STEERING
AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT
NHTSA complaint #769341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN CUT AT 22000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8016367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naugatuck, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
STRESS INDUCED CRACKING OF EXHAUST SYSTEM RESONATOR OUTLET END PLATE.
NHTSA complaint #751157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manteca, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHILE DRIVING IN WARM TEMPERATURE WINDSHIELD WILL GET FILM ON INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NO SOLUTION YET. *AK
NHTSA complaint #859632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BUILT-IN LOCKING CLIP; UPON INSTALLING A CHILD SEAT THE LOCKING CLIP BROKE IN HALF. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. PARTS BEENING SENT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #857492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.