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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%)

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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%)

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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.

See repairs for all Saturn S-Series model years.

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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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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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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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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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