Saturn S-Series Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Saturn S-Series model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1993 drew the fewest (2) and the 2001 the most (11).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1995 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1998 | 4 | 0 | Visibility | — | — |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 1999 | 6 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
10 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
10 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
11 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Saturn S-Series years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2001 Saturn S-Series: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (18%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (18%); Seat belts 2 (18%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Saturn S-Series: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 4 (40%); Service brakes 3 (30%); Air bags 1 (10%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
2000 Saturn S-Series: 10 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 4 (40%); Fuel system 2 (20%); Air bags 1 (10%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Saturn S-Series years with the fewest complaints
1993 Saturn S-Series: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Seat belts 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
1995 Saturn S-Series: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 1 (33%); Seats 1 (33%); Steering 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 0 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Saturn S-Series: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 2 (67%); Power train 1 (33%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Saturn S-Series owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2000 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 1999 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Saturn S-Series recalls
- GM/FMVSS 210/214/SEAT BELT ANCHORAGE (2002 model year; 790 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2002; 02V020000)
All 1 Saturn S-Series recall campaigns · Saturn S-Series problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Saturn S-Series years FAQ
Which Saturn S-Series year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1993 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Saturn S-Series years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2001, 2002 and 2000 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Saturn S-Series problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (11 of 58 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Saturn S-Series have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the Saturn S-Series. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Saturn S-Series recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.