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Research · Small Station Wagons

1998 Saturn SWRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 1998 Saturn SW. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and vehicle speed control (5). The EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
25–27mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
27
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Saturn SW as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1998 – Apr 2007
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Vehicle speed control5
  3. Visibility3
  4. Power train3
  5. Seat belts2
  6. Seats2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Suspension1
  9. Parking brake1

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2005Engine and engine coolingODI 10111244

Vehicle speed control

5 reports
“WHILR AT A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE WILL NOT RETURN TO CORRECT IDLE POSITION, IT WILL STAY AT A HIGH IDLE POINT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK.*JG”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2002Vehicle speed controlODI 8008810

Visibility

3 reports
“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 INCHES. *LA”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2004VisibilityODI 10065100
All 1998 SW problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 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, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
243427$2,300329
SW
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,400342
SW
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
233326$2,400342
SW
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,500355
  • SW
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    24 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • SW
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 1998 Saturn SW as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 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

1998 SW questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Saturn SW have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Saturn SW problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), vehicle speed control (5), visibility (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Saturn SW get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Saturn SW at 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026