VehicleVerdict

1999 Saturn Sw problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 23 complaints on file for the 1999 Saturn Sw — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

23

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Sw years?

Sw NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted52 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 2 complaints1993: 35 complaints1994: 41 complaints1995: 52 complaints1996: 31 complaints1997: 35 complaints1998: 31 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 18 complaints2001: 6 complaints
Sw NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sw years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Saturn Sw problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags417%
Transmission313%
Seats29%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)29%
Brakes29%
Tires & Wheels29%
Body & Structure29%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Other14%
Seat Belts14%
Speed Control14%
Steering14%
Suspension14%

Does the 1999 Saturn Sw have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

99V280000Seat BeltsOctober 20, 1999 · 265,698 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES, I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING COLUMN. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 9, 2014 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE JERKED. CONSUMER PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THEN, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND VEHICLE JERKED AGAIN AND SMOKED BADLY. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT DIFFERENTIAL PIN CAME OUT AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. A NEW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 15, 2004

“CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A HOT SPOT ON THE BRAKE DISC WHICH CAUSES RUBBING, THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OD DRIVEABILITY OR MISHANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.*MJ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“PASSENGER DOOR BEHIND DRIVER'S SEAT WILL NOT UNLOCK, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER NOT FIXED. MJS (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 19, 1999

“BROKEN STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM REPLACED, RUSTED OUT HOOD REPLACED. MODE CONTROL FROM A/C TO DEFROST WENT OUT, LESS THAN 14,000 MILES. *BF THE MODE DOOR CABLE DISCONNECTED DUE TO MODE DOOR FABRIC COMING OFF AND CAUSED CABLE TO STICK. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · October 13, 2004

1999 Saturn Sw — common questions

Is the 1999 Saturn Sw reliable?

The record is thin — 23 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Sw problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (4 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), seats (2 complaints).

Does the 1999 Saturn Sw have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1999 Saturn Sw. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Saturn Sw years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sw years to avoid are 1995. The cleanest record among Sw years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.