The Saturn LW spans 1995–2026 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 25 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Saturn LW — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Saturn LW is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Saturn LW VIN — every digit explained
Every Saturn LW carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Saturn and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this LW.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Our VIN lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
How many recalls does the Saturn LW have?
The Saturn LW has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Saturn LW
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Saturn LW — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Saturn LW problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Saturn LW — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Saturn LW specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Saturn LW. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Saturn LW window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Saturn LW cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the LW holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 98 cu ft of passenger volume and 34 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Saturn LW tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Saturn LW get?
The Saturn LW returns up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,400/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2005 Saturn LW (3L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 LW | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2004 LW | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2003 LW | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2002 LW | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2001 LW | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl | |
| 2000 LW | 18 | 24 | $3,100 | 444 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 2004 Saturn LW (2.2L 4-cyl) gets 25 mpg combined and costs about $2,500/yr to fuel, emitting 355 g/mi CO₂ — about $1,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 LW | 21 | 31 | $2,500 | 355 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 2003 LW | 21 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 2002 LW | 21 | 30 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 2001 LW | 21 | 29 | $2,600 | 370 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl | |
| 2000 LW | 19 | 28 | $2,700 | 386 | — | 2.2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the LW stacks up against the most fuel-efficient wagons, or calculate this LW's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Saturn LW have? Power & range
The Saturn LW is offered with 2 powertrains — 3L 6-cyl, 2.2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.0L · 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.2L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Saturn LW cost to own?
A Saturn LW depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used LW is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this LW loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $12,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the LW ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Saturn LW safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the LW yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Saturn LW last?
A well-maintained Saturn LW typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Saturn LW’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this LW’s VIN free →All Saturn LW model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Saturn LW — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2025 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2024 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2023 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2022 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2021 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2020 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2019 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2018 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2017 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2016 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2015 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2014 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2013 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2012 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2011 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2010 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2009 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2008 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2007 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2006 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2005 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2004 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2003 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2002 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2001 LW | 0 | — | |
| 2000 LW | 0 | — | |
| 1999 LW | 0 | — | |
| 1998 LW | 0 | — | |
| 1997 LW | 0 | — | |
| 1996 LW | 0 | — | |
| 1995 LW | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the LW?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Saturn LW.
How many recalls does the LW have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Saturn recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the LW get?
Up to 25 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a LW last?
A well-maintained LW typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the LW reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Saturn LW — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Saturn LW warranty?
New Saturn models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Saturn dealer.
Where is the Saturn LW made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your LW's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Saturn may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the LW have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.