1998 Saturn S-Series Saturn S-Series 1998

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1998 Saturn S-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (46%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 63 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 1998 Saturn S-Series.

1998 Saturn S-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (47%)

< $100 (27%)

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

Chart based on 49 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

1998 Saturn S-Series

Engine not specified

Saturn in California, United States
Aug 2012 - Dec 2012
Oct 2012

87300 mi

US $60
Shifter bushing failed and was replaced. 
Saturn in New Jersey, United States
Jun 2012 - Mar 2013
Jul 2012

100000 mi

US $300
Left/right tie rods replaced 
Aug 2012

101000 mi

US $50
Headliner replaced 
Feb 2013

107100 mi

US $200
Muffler was loose 
Saturn in Illinois, United States
Jan 2012 - Feb 2012
Feb 2012

126000 mi

US $45
Had to clean TPS, throttle body to pass emissions. 
Saturn in Connecticut, United States
Nov 2012 - Jun 2018
Jan 2013

134000 mi

US $400
Replace power window motor and regulator 
Saturn in Saskatchewan, Canada
Nov 2014 - Dec 2014
Nov 2014

95480 mi

C $80
RH axle bearing squealing. New bearing supplied by myself; replaced by friend 'cause he has a hoist. Cost of new brg was $30; paid friend $50 for his time. Flat rate time for this job is 2hrs; it took him 5. Faulty thermostat (engine running cool). Installed a $22 14279 Stant modified to increase temp. Did myself while friend replaced RH axle brg. Also had to purchase new antifreeze when son of friend dumped good antifreeze already in. 
Saturn in Mississippi, United States
Oct 2015 - Nov 2015
Nov 2015

185000 mi

US $700
head gasket replaced. new spark plugs. 
Saturn in Texas, United States
Nov 2015 - Dec 2015
Nov 2015

237000 mi

US $500
Shift cables broke 

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1998 Saturn S-Series 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saturn in California, United States
Nov 2010 - Jan 2011
Jan 2011

261000 mi

US $25
Car was burning oil and could not pass smog due to visible smoke. Mechanic tried changing to 30W oil to reduce oil consumption, but car still failed visual inspection due to smoke(passed emissions test.) Headlight was replaced for free. 
Saturn in Texas, United States
Jul 2006 - Jul 2018
Jun 2006

120000 mi

US $500
Roof cloth on inside was starting to come undone and falling. Was a quick fix 
Jul 2016

188888 mi

US $400
A/C was leaking, easy fix 
Saturn in Florida, United States
Aug 2009 - Jul 2018
Jun 2012

183000 mi

US $160
Radiator leaked-replaced radiator, thermostat and hoses. (Was original radiator) O2 sensor threw code. Replaced upper sensor Coolant temp sensor replaced 
Mar 2013

188000 mi

US $65
Intermittent weak start. Finally no start. Battery 9 months old. Replaced starter. All ok. 
Jan 2015

208000 mi

US $20
Cam position sensor. Intermittent no start. 
Jan 2017

210000 mi

US $35
Shift linkage cable replaced. 
Saturn in California, United States
Jan 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

181000 mi

US $150
starter broken 

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1998 Saturn S-Series 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Saturn in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2011 - Feb 2011
Feb 2011

145000 mi

US $1800
EGR Valve malfunctioning, causing service engine light to come on. The EGR valve was then replaced. One power window was non-functional; two other power windows were somewhat functional but moving very slowly. Had three window motors and windows replaced. 
Saturn in Arkansas, United States
Aug 2010 - Aug 2011
Nov 2010

157000 mi

US $50
changed the o2 sensor 
Saturn in Florida, United States
Nov 2009 - Jun 2011
Dec 2009

93000 mi

US $289
puddle under car, took to shop, water pump replaced, told 4 hrs. labor, all sources indicated 1.9 hrs, nothing I could do except pay and never go back 
Jul 2010

97000 mi
Turn signal relay. 
Nov 2010

102000 mi

US $3
blinkers stopped working AGAIN, after numerous real attempts at shops we now just keep a box of fuses in glovebox. The blinkers can go out 2x a day or go 6 mths. with no problem. 
Saturn in California, United States
Sep 2009 - Sep 2011
Jan 2010

56000 mi

US $30
Tail-light burned out, and got stuck during routine replacement. 
Oct 2010

61000 mi

US $2200
Catalytic converter near engine block 
Saturn in Virginia, United States
Mar 2010 - Dec 2012
Aug 2010

126000 mi

US $50
Water pump leaked, I replaced it myself in about 3 hours. 
Saturn in California, United States
Mar 2010 - Aug 2013
Dec 2010

72000 mi

US $400
Water pump failed, but replaced 
Dec 2011

80000 mi

US $300
Replaced interlock brake solenoid 
Jul 2013

91000 mi

US $550
Power steering went out; tensioner and belt replaced 

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1998 Saturn S-Series 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saturn in Michigan, United States
Mar 2010 - Mar 2012
Jul 2010

198200 mi

US $140
Needed new muffler since August of previous year. Just now got around to it. 
Aug 2010

201000 mi

US $195
Replaced Sunroof Module 
Jun 2011

223000 mi

US $600
Replaced Transmission Mount and TAM (Torqe Axis Mounts) or dogbones at the same time. 
Aug 2011

225000 mi

US $150
Replaced both front wheel bearings and hubs. Passenger side was noisy, driver's side was replaced so that both were done at the same time. 
Feb 2012

238000 mi

US $310
Replaced Ignition Coils, Ignition Control Module, Spark Plug Wires, and plugs. 
Saturn in Virginia, United States
Sep 2009 - Sep 2013
Oct 2009

108000 mi

US $500
Muffler. Lower control arm and front struts. 
Dec 2010

138000 mi

US $105
motor mounts 
Apr 2011

149500 mi

US $120
Starter replaced by me 
Nov 2011

165000 mi

US $300
Timing chain had become loose and was making noise. Could not trust another week of driving Replaced both drive axles with rebuilt ones. One side was making the clicking noise. 
Jul 2012

179200 mi

US $750
burnt a lot of oil so I checked the compression and found #3 cylinder was at 60lb. torn down and re-ringed the engine and installed a rebuilt head. 

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1998 Saturn S-Series 2-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Saturn in Texas, United States
Sep 2009 - Jun 2013
Mar 2011

157000 mi

US $347
AC compressor would not engage. Low refrigerant. Due to leaking Shrader valves, which were replaced. 
Jun 2011

159000 mi

US $1435
Radiator started a slow leak. The radiator had to be replaced. Original radiator. Temps are in the 100s for 50 days or more each summer here. Steering rack had to be replaced. Original one was wearing, starting to leak and the power steering fluid was getting very dark. Flushed the fluid, replacing it with new after the rack was replaced. 
Oct 2011

162000 mi

US $950
High pressure valve in the transmission stuck, creating a very high pressure that had the transmission fluid pushing out past the transmission spin-on filter gasket. 
Aug 2012

167500 mi

US $355
Replaced passenger side inner and outer CV joints after outer CV joint boot failed. Was original 
Nov 2012

169100 mi

US $550
Replaced all motor mounts. Most were original. Had shrunk and loosened. Runs much smoother and quieter now. 
Jan 2013

170000 mi

US $399
Air conditioner compressor stopped engaging. Due to refrigerant loss caused by original O seals on hose fittings having shrunk. The compressor seal, non-repairable, also showing signs of slight leaking. Still operable. Coolant pressure cap was leaking slightly. 
Saturn in North Carolina, United States
Dec 2009 - Aug 2013
Jan 2010

82000 mi

US $30
Horn stuck on - has built in relay. Replaced. 
Feb 2010

85000 mi

US $125
Belt idler pulley and tensioner upper motor mount 
Nov 2010

103300 mi

US $400
Front wheel bearing. Thermostat. 
Feb 2011

108000 mi

US $100
Car would occasionally take a while to shift into reverse. Changed valve body, all fixed. 
Sep 2011

114000 mi

US $20
power window switch broke, causing a low amperage short that would drain battery after 3 days. Got junkyard replacement switch, fixed problem. 
Dec 2011

118000 mi

US $300
Front wheel bearing failed a second time. 
Jan 2012

120000 mi

US $700
leak and malfunctioning sunroof. Replaced sunroof mechanism and redid headliner. 
Jun 2012

123000 mi

US $400
master cylinder, rear wheel cylinder, calipers, all to correct a mushy pedal 

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

1998 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 1998 Saturn S-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.