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Research · Small Station Wagons

1996 Saturn SWRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 1996 Saturn SW. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (6) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
20
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Saturn SW as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

20 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1996 – Jan 2009
  1. Engine and engine cooling6
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  4. Power train2
  5. Fuel system, gasoline2
  6. Seats1
  7. Steering1
  8. Visibility1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each SW model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199620
199731
199827
199916
200015
20016
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

6 reports
“THE SATURNSW2 GASKET COVER WARPED YEAR AFTER YEAR;THEY REDESIGNED IT;IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL; MANY THOUSANDS OF THESE COVERS HAVE PUT PEOPLE IN DANGER OF A FIRE WITH THE OIL LEAKS;THE EXPENSE OF CHANGING OUT THE ENGINE IS HORRIFIC, FOR A CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC THEY NO LONGER MAKE FROM PLASTIC; IT IS NOW ALUMINUM OR SOME FORM OF METAL. SMALL LEAKS ARE ONE THING;THESE MAJOR LEAKS ARE ANOTHER. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10255221

Electrical system

4 reports1 fire
“WHILE DRIVING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. *MR *SC *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2004Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10092220

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports
“DRIVING ON BACK ROAD, BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TO USE ENGINE BRAKING AND HAND BRAKE TO SLOW OR STOP CAR. GAS STATION ATTENDANT REPORTED FULL BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. NORMAL BRAKING RESUMED SPONTANEOUSLY ON WAY HOME. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2001Service brakes, hydraulicODI 754821
All 1996 SW problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SW
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL · Front-Wheel Drive
243528$2,200317
SW
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,300329
SW
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL · Front-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400342
SW
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,500355
  • SW
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL
    24 city · 35 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), SIL
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, (FFS) (MPFI), CLKUP
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Saturn SW as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 SW questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Saturn SW have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 1996 Saturn SW problems?

Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (6), electrical system (4), service brakes, hydraulic (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Saturn SW at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026