1997 Saturn S-Series Saturn S-Series 1997

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1997 Saturn S-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (57%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (5%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 42 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1997 Saturn S-Series.

1997 Saturn S-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (6%)

$100 - $499 (35%)

< $100 (59%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 34 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1997 Saturn S-Series

Engine not specified

Saturn in Alabama, United States
Jul 2011 - May 2012
May 2012

140000 mi

US $30
Blowing warm air/Compressor Cutoff (low pressure switch). Added .5 # (1.5# total) restored compressor operation and cold AC. 
Saturn in North Carolina, United States
Feb 2011 - Apr 2012
Aug 2011

131900 mi

US $25
Water pump replaced 
Apr 2012

136000 mi

US $120
Window regulator and motor 
Saturn in Florida, United States
Dec 2011 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012

109000 mi

US $120
O2 sensor and crankshaft position sensor 
Saturn in Virginia, United States
May 2011 - Sep 2012
Dec 2011

147000 mi

US $100
Top Motor Mount and Lower Transmission Mount, $50 and $40 Muffler, $100 
Saturn in Alaska, United States
Dec 2014 - Jan 2015
Jan 2015

123000 mi

US $800
Fuel pump 
Saturn in Virginia, United States
Oct 2009 - Jun 2011
Jul 2009 A/C worked on. 
Nov 2009

181000 mi
Catalytic converter replaced. 
Jul 2010

188000 mi
Clutch cable worked on. Possibly done wrong the first time it was repaired, by a guy in the neighborhood in February 2009. CV boot replaced. Oil leak, replaced valve cover gaskets. 
Saturn in Wisconsin, United States
Mar 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

148000 mi

US $16
Coolant temperature sensor replaced. 
Saturn in Oregon, United States
Jan 2009 - Mar 2010
Feb 2009

61000 mi

US $200
Starter motor replaced. Leaky valve cover gasket -- removed & replaced Driver's window regulator broke; removed & replaced. 
Mar 2009

62000 mi

US $13
Throttle body was sticking/needed removal, thorough cleaning, and replacement. Rear hatch latch replaced. 
Nov 2009

68000 mi

US $80
Liftgate latch stuck in open position, would not stay closed. Defective GM design of latch/electronic actuator. 
Dec 2009

69000 mi

US $5
Water leak from cowl 

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1997 Saturn S-Series 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saturn in New York, United States
Sep 2010 - Mar 2012
Jan 2011

140000 mi

US $78
Replace TAM motor mount, adjust dog bone position 
May 2011

148000 mi

US $52
Replaced worn outer tie rod end. 
Nov 2011

149700 mi

US $5
Check engine emissions problem corrected by cleaning throttle body. 
Saturn in Tennessee, United States
Jul 2014 - Jan 2021
Aug 2014

287800 mi

US $75
Radiator was blown due to a faulty engine coolant temperature sensor (sensor was cracked from age). Replaced radiator and coolant temperature sensor and flushed coolant. Engine and transmission mounts were completely worn out. Engine was hitting the firewall under normal acceleration. Replaced upper and lower mounts on both sides. 
Sep 2014

289000 mi

US $30
Manual transmission was very difficult to get into gear and shift. Replaced transmission fluid with Dexron VI ATF. Manual transmission now shifts normally. CD Player would not play CD's. It would attempt to play, then eject the CD. Removed CD player and cleaned laser CD reader head. CD player now plays. 
Nov 2014

290700 mi

US $109
Starter motor failed at the same time as the battery failed. Car had to be roll started. Replaced battery. Replaced starter motor with a remanufactured starter motor. 
Jan 2015

292500 mi

US $62
Occasional clunk noise when backing out of parking. Tendency to dive into corners when cornering quickly. Replaced both lower control arms/ball joints. Old ball joints were extremely loose and worn out. 
Apr 2016

300000 mi

US $25
Radiator side tank became partially unclamped and was slowly leaking. Repaired by re-clamping side tank. 

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1997 Saturn S-Series 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Saturn in Idaho, United States
Feb 2009 - Apr 2009
Apr 2009

157000 mi

US $10
Replaced idler pulley, belt tensioner, and serpentine belt. Had not been done ever so they were wearing out. TSB # 01-T-07 car would barely start and would run very rough. Seemed to be running very rich. 
Saturn in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2011 - Jun 2012
Mar 2011

74000 mi

US $140
intermittent starting problem, hasn't come back. shop could find no issues 
Saturn in Connecticut, United States
Jul 2009 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

329000 mi

US $150
Muffler and catalytic converter "pop'd" after the car backfired on an old tank of gas. Replaced with a junkyard factory exhaust off a newer car. 
Jun 2011 Engine burning insane amounts of oil when traded. 
Saturn in New York, United States
Mar 2009 - Mar 2010
Apr 2009

151000 mi

US $70
Brake master cylinder failed, was replaced. Entire ABS system bled and working well. 

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1997 Saturn S-Series 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saturn in Georgia, United States
Feb 2009 - Jun 2011
Mar 2009

102000 mi

US $100
Replaced Alternator. Had tested at Autozone, and was not putting out full amperage. Installed myself 
Nov 2009

110900 mi

US $105
Replace radiator, after coolant leak was discovered. Also as maintenance replaced thermostat, and flushed cooling system. 
Sep 2010

118000 mi
AC compressor out, bought parts to repair myself, haven't yet installed them. 
Saturn in New York, United States
Jan 2009 - Feb 2009
Feb 2009

145000 mi
Blown head gasket was advised not worth repairing considering age and mileage of the car 

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1997 Saturn S-Series 2-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Saturn in Wisconsin, United States
Feb 2009 - Jun 2010
Jun 2009

87000 mi

US $173
I had a collapsed engine mount and had it replaced. 
Nov 2009

89900 mi

US $500
replacement of oil pan and drain plug. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.

1997 Saturn S-Series Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1997 Saturn S-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.