Most common 1998 Saturn SW problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SW complaints by model year
Best SW years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1995, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
What 1998 Saturn SW owners say
Engine & cooling
Engine runs rough and stalls. Sometimes ses light comes on, sometimes not. Vehicle will not start. I have had this car to the dealer 8 times in 2 years and they always "fix" something--something different everytime, but the symptoms are the same every time. Dealer says there is "nothing wrong with my car" and that the problem is different every time I bring it in. Several times there have been no codes stored to indicate what the problem was-therefore, according to the dealer-"there is no problem". I don't make this stuff up!!! I am tired of taking the car in for this problem, it has most recently been in on oct. 12, 2000 , dec. 1, 2000 , and dec. 21, 2000---everytime I reported the same problems and according to the dealer, every time it is a different problem. There is something wrong with this vehicle causing this problem to continue. I have all the repair records.
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.
Speed control & acceleration
This ignition-high idle problem has exhisted since ownership and first part replacement underwarenty was the idle air control j5542 in feb. 2000. The idle acceleration problem started in 1999, however, could not be repeated during tests drive until feb. 15,2000. At the 42,000 service the same complaint was addressed with the iac motor replaced. The 60,000 mile service the temp. Sensor and ignition module was replaced for $391.00, and the problem of acceleration continues with the RPM's over 2,000. I am concerned for my saftey. The car has actually accelerated without gas/or clutch changes. If I were on ice, which this area is noted for in the winter, I would be in danger. Again, this happens when the car has been driven for a while and the motor is warm, and intermittantly.
When engine warms up/slowing down or stopping rpms will increase. Also if taken feet of gas pedal, vehicle will accelerate on its own. This happens intermittently. Contacted dealer, and dealer repaired and replaced parts, but still did not remedy the problem.
Transmission & drivetrain
My mechanic told me he has had to replace several transmissions on 1998 saturns, so mine is not an isolated incident.
1998 Saturn SW engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 34 / 27 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 31 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Saturn SW a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 SW rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the SW at the same age. It is one of the SW years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Saturn SW?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the speed control & acceleration (5) and transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many recalls does the 1998 Saturn SW have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Saturn SW. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SW?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995, 1998 and 1997. See the full Saturn SW years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Saturn SW problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 125,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.