SATURN SW · model year

2000 SATURN SW

18 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000SATURNSW carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 SW is engine and engine cooling:engine with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (2) and seats:mid/rear assembly (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2000 SW. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

18
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
STEERING1
AIR BAGS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (7)

99V29700027/10/1999

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

99V23100024/08/1999

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

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.

99V23200023/08/1999

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

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.

99V23000023/08/1999

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

99V28000020/10/1999

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

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, MAKI

00V31000012/10/2000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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 POSSIBL

00V30900012/10/2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

Recent Complaints

20161114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20161114ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20161114FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 65,000

20150601CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 ROADWAY. DRIVER TRAVELLED APPROX.100 FT. WITH FULL ON BRAKES APPLIED & AVOIDED POTENTIALLY STRIKING ONCOMING ROAD TRAFFIC BY DRIVING PARALLEL TO THE ROADWAY & DRIVING HEAD ON INTO A ROADWAY BRIDGE GUARDRAIL TERMINAL END TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY THE LOCAL EMERGENCY RESCUE SQUAD & TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM OF THE LOCAL HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER WAS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO THE LEFT FOOT & RIGHT ANKLE. OTHER PHYSICAL INJURIES ARE PRESENTING THEMSELVES A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 170,000

20140902FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20110330LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SATURN SW2. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR RELEASED INDEPENDENTLY AND SWUNG OPEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON AMONGST THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 04/25/11 *BF

Mileage: 230,000

20081023FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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

20041227ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TWO MAJOR GASKET PROBLEMS WITH A SATURN 2000 SW2 WAGON. TOTAL REPAIR COST $1,500.*AK

20031015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD.*AK

20030903SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

THE REAR STABILIZER LINKS FROZE UP, DUE TO ROAD DIRT, SALT ETC. *AK *JB

Mileage: 75,833

20030212SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE BOLTS BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.*JB

20021125ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN CAUSING LOST OF POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED SAID CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. TS *TT

Mileage: 54,000

20021106CrashSTEERING

AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT

20021106CrashAIR BAGS

AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE FWY. I SWERVED LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION, ABS CAUSED STEERING TO TIGHTEN, I WAS UNABLE TO STRAIGHTEN, SO I PULLED HARDER TO THE RIGHT. I SKIDDED RIGHT, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH MY RIGHT FRONT AT ABOUT 50MPH. THE SRS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. I CONTINUED TO SLIDE TO 180 DEGREES. ROLLING BACKWARDS, I HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER WITH THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE IMPACT CAUSED MY SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE (RECLINE), ALTHOUGH I WAS WEARING A SEATBELT. I WAS EJECTED AND SLAMMED THE BACK OF MY HEAD INTO THE CEILING OF THE CAR. I WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE IMPACT ALSO RUPTURED THE FUEL TANK. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR, AND DRY. DT

20020814SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN CUT AT 22000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. *YH

20010828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

STRESS INDUCED CRACKING OF EXHAUST SYSTEM RESONATOR OUTLET END PLATE.*AK

20000403VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WHILE DRIVING IN WARM TEMPERATURE WINDSHIELD WILL GET FILM ON INSIDE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, NO SOLUTION YET. *AK *ML

20000224SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

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

Compare 2000SATURNSW to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 SATURN SW have?
The 2000 SATURN SW has 18 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 SATURN SW?
Yes, the 2000 SATURN SW has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is STRUCTURE:BODY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 SATURN SW?
The most-complained component for the 2000 SATURN SW is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2000 SATURN SW safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.