VehicleVerdict

2000 Saturn Sw problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2000 Saturn Sw — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Sw years?

Sw NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sw years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Saturn Sw problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine528%
Seats211%
Fuel System211%
Electrical System211%
Steering16%
Suspension16%
Airbags16%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Brakes16%
Latches & Locks16%
Other16%

Does the 2000 Saturn Sw have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V310000TransmissionOctober 12, 2000 · 65,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy

SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

00V309000Fuel SystemOctober 12, 2000 · 6,092 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

99V297000Body & StructureOctober 27, 1999 · 7,505 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.

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.

99V231000BrakesAugust 24, 1999 · 5,373 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH BRAKE PIPE ATTACHMENT NUTS THAT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

IF THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS ARE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED, BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE BRAKE'S STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE PIPE NUTS FOR LEAKAGE, VERIFY THEY ARE TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, AND REPLACE THE BRAKE PIPES IF NEEDED.

99V232000Body & StructureAugust 23, 1999 · 1,592 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 581, "BUMPER STANDARD." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH REAR BUMPER FASTENERS THAT MAY BE LOOSE OR MISSING.

Consequence

IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE OR MISSING, THE REAR BUMPER MAY NOT ABSORB ENERGY AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL VERIFY THAT THE REAR BUMPER BEAM FASTENERS ARE PRESENT AND PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND, IF MISSING, INSTALL NEW FASTENERS.

99V230000OtherAugust 23, 1999 · 2,692 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WELDS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY THAT DO NOT MEET SATURN QUALITY STANDARDS.

Consequence

A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT, PARTICULARLY AN UNBELTED OCCUPANT, MAY HAVE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE'S INSTRUMENT PANEL CARRIER ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 14, 2012

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats

“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. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 1901

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 29, 2014 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 29, 2015 · crash

2000 Saturn Sw — common questions

Is the 2000 Saturn Sw reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 Sw problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (5 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2000 Saturn Sw have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 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.