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1999 Saturn SW problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Saturn SW is airbags. It has 2.7 times the complaints of a typical SW model year.

Typical year2.7x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
16
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
11
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
26-28mpg

The worst 1999 Saturn SW problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported October 20, 1999 · 265,698 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V280000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1999 Saturn SW

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Saturn SW 11

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 11 bulletins for the 1999 Saturn SW

1999 Saturn SW fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.9L 4‑cylFWD22-2432-3426-28

What 1999 Saturn SW owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 8, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · SC · crash

My son was killed in a 1999 saturn the airbags did not work I need to know why car cut off while go down I-20.

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Airbags · 36,000 miles · CA · crash

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.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · 13,430 miles · SC

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.

Filed Apr 23, 2004 · Transmission · 37,000 miles · OH

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 transmission was needed for this vehicle.

Filed Jul 16, 2002 · Airbags · MO · crash · 1 injury

During a vehicle crash airbags did not deploy, consumer sustained injuries. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.

Filed Jul 11, 2002 · Brakes · GA

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.

Filed May 14, 2002 · Seat belts · NJ

At a safety check for seatbelts, 3 of the seatbelt retractors in were found to be inoperative. Only front passenger seatbelt retractor works.

Filed Aug 14, 2001 · Tires · FL

Hot florida day; car fully loaded; tread separated at 70 MPH (3000 mi on tire at time). *ak (tiresize: p17570r14)

Filed Dec 27, 2000 · Transmission · MI

Intermediate shaft/carrier bearing assembly failed at relatively low miles. I am trying to determine if this specific failure is common so owners can be notified and avoid this costly and serious repair.

Filed Aug 16, 2000 · Airbags, Seats · CO · crash · 2 injuries

My husband and daughter (age 4) were involved in an accident on july 27, 2000 in our 1999 saturn sw1. They were sitting at a red light when they were rear ended at approximately 40-45pmh. Upon impact niether airbag deployed. I'm not sure if they were supposed to), but the major concern was that the drivers seat springs broke collapsing the drivers seat and left my husband landing in the back seat, his foot falling from the brake and rolling into traffic at approximately 12-15mph. My husband ended up injured with a thoracic strain. My daughter (in the front passenger seat) was also injured. Both of them were restrained with full seat belts. In the emergency room and at the sight we were told that it was lucky that my daughter was in the front seat that day or she would have been crushed and killed by the seat that collapsed behind my husband. In addressing this problem with saturn they have said that their seats are designed like that for safety purposes and that "in a rear-end collision, a seatback can yield if the forces in the collision exceed the design load limits for that seatback." they also referred me to the federal motor vehicle safety standards fmvss 207 for the standard. I am not able to tell in reading the fmvss 207 if the forces in the collision exceeded the design load limits for the seatback and I am hoping that you can help me. My husband is 6 feet tall and weighs 260 pounds. Saturn tells me that the seats were designed this way to help prevent whiplash. If that is the case they almost killed my child. Can you shed some light on this for me? Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter......... Sincerely, mrs. Juli gordon.

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Questions about the 1999 Saturn SW

Is the 1999 Saturn SW reliable?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 1999 Saturn SW, 2.7 times a typical SW model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Saturn SW?

Airbags, with 4 complaints. Next is brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 1999 Saturn SW have?

1 recall, covering seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Saturn SW get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Saturn SW range from 26 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.9L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-24 city and 32-34 highway.

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