1996 SATURN SC

0 recalls — 41 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

41 total complaints 7 crashes 8 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SUSPENSION:REAR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
SEATS Dec 20, 2018
Incident date: Nov 20, 2018
DRIVERS SEAT WON'T STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN I LEAN BACK WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE, WHETHER I AM IN MOTION OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF MANY CARS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. ALSO THE TRUNK LATCH IS NOT OPERABLE USING THE CABLE.
STRUCTURE:BODY Dec 20, 2018
Incident date: Nov 20, 2018
DRIVERS SEAT WON'T STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN I LEAN BACK WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE, WHETHER I AM IN MOTION OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF MANY CARS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. ALSO THE TRUNK LATCH IS NOT OPERABLE USING THE CABLE.
ENGINE Jan 28, 2017
Incident date: Jan 26, 2017
LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTI... Read more
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 28, 2017
Incident date: Jan 26, 2017
LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTI... Read more
Crash 1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY Jan 28, 2017
Incident date: Jan 26, 2017
LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTI... Read more
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 13, 2012
Incident date: Jun 12, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SC1 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUSE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORD... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Feb 22, 2008
Incident date: Nov 5, 2006
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE Feb 22, 2008
Incident date: Nov 5, 2006
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT... Read more
SEATS Feb 22, 2008
Incident date: Nov 5, 2006
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT... Read more
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. Feb 22, 2008
Incident date: Nov 5, 2006
AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 20, 2007
Incident date: Sep 19, 2006
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD HAD ONE LONG CRACK AND ONE SHORT CRACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Oct 25, 2004
Incident date: Oct 24, 2004
I DRIVE A 1996 SATURN SC-1. WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY YESTERDAY, THE GEARSHIFT WENT "LIMP" AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE. I REMOVED THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND FOUND THAT WHAT I LATER FOUND OUT TO BE THE "SHIFTER LINKAGE BUSHING" HAD BROKEN IN HALF, AND WOULD NEED ... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING Jun 22, 2004
Incident date: Jun 19, 2004
WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN "ON" IN THE "OFF" POSITION. I MUST TURN "ON" THE WIPERS IN ORDER TO TURN THEM "OFF". NO DELAY WIPER SPEED.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD May 20, 2004
Incident date: May 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY May 20, 2004
Incident date: May 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH May 20, 2004
Incident date: May 14, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Jun 15, 2003
HEAD GASKET BLOWN, HEAD CRACKED, ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT MIXING. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. SATURN SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES AS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD (6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Oct 8, 2003
THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HORN PROBLEMS. THE FUSE HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP BLOWING. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF THE HORN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THEY INSIST THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jul 30, 2003
Incident date: Jul 26, 2003
JUNE 1999 SATURN SENT A NOTICE REGARDING THE CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT THAT MAY OCCUR. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. HOWEVER KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, I ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON MY SATURN WHEN THE CYLINDER HEAD SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS OF A ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY Jul 9, 2003
Incident date: Jul 3, 2003
SHIFT LINKAGE BUSHING UNAVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Dec 31, 2002
DURING RAINY WEATHER ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TT
Crash 2 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Dec 31, 2002
CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. NLM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 15, 2002
APPARENTLY SATURN AND GM KNEW THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY IN THIS MODEL WAS WRONG. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT SATURN DEALERS AND WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY ADRESSED. THE CAR THUDS INTO REVERSE AND H... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL May 31, 2001
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
VEHICLE WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED CRANKED SENSOR/IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR, AND TURNED SCREW FOR IDLE AND ETC. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS WERE DONE, IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE May 31, 2001
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
VEHICLE WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED CRANKED SENSOR/IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR, AND TURNED SCREW FOR IDLE AND ETC. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS WERE DONE, IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Dec 13, 2000
Incident date: Jun 26, 1998
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CHILD SEAT Oct 8, 1999
FRONT OF REAR SEATS ARE HIGH-BACK OF SEAT IS LOW-CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY UNLESS YOU PUT SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT TO SUPPORT IT-WHICH IS AGAINST THE LAW AND NOT SAFE FOR THE CHILD-I WAS TOLD BY SATURN THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM-2 MEN FROM SATURN TOLD ME TO PUT A ROLLED UP TOW... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 6, 1999
Incident date: Sep 30, 1999
WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OFF, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MP. ,CONSUMER TRIED TAKING THE CAR OUT OF GEAR, BUT NOTHING SOLVED THE PROBLEM SAVE CUTTING THE CAR OFF. *AK
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Feb 19, 1999
Incident date: Jan 7, 1998
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LEAKS WATER INTO VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS CARPETING ETC.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Feb 17, 1999
Incident date: Jun 24, 1998
CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED AT 52000, SECOND PORT DEVELOPED A CRACK ALLOWING OIL INTO COOLING SYSTEM.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Apr 29, 1998
DURING COLLISION SEAT BACK COLLAPSED.
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS Oct 9, 1997
Incident date: Jul 24, 1997
WHILE IN COLLISION THE AIR BAG HAD NO DEPLOYMENT, DRIVER ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE.
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Oct 9, 1997
Incident date: Jul 24, 1997
WHILE IN COLLISION, THE SEAT BELT TORE LOOSE AND DID NOT PROTECT CONSUMER.
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Oct 9, 1997
Incident date: Jun 2, 1996
GENERATOR FAILURE, CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Oct 9, 1997
Incident date: May 13, 1997
BRAKE SYSTEM COMPLETELY FAILED.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Oct 9, 1997
Incident date: Jun 5, 1996
A/C SYSTEM FAILED.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Jul 11, 1996
Incident date: Apr 1, 1996
STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. *DH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Jul 11, 1996
Incident date: May 31, 1996
GLAZED ROTORS CAUSE BRAKES TO SQUEAL.
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 8, 1996
VEHICLE HAS POOR STABILITY,PULLING EITHER SIDES DUE TO RIGHT WHEEL BEING BENT CAUSING FRAME TO SHIFT, VEHICLE PURCHASED IN THIS CONDITION ON 01/03/96. *AK
SUSPENSION:FRONT Mar 8, 1996
VEHICLE HAS POOR STABILITY,PULLING EITHER SIDES DUE TO RIGHT WHEEL BEING BENT CAUSING FRAME TO SHIFT, VEHICLE PURCHASED IN THIS CONDITION ON 01/03/96. *AK
SUSPENSION:REAR Jan 16, 1996
THE REAR SUSPENSION BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

EPA Fuel Economy — 1996 SATURN SC

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 33.0 27.0 Regular $2,200
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 31.0 25.0 Regular $2,400
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 22.0 32.0 26.0 Regular $2,300
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 25.0 36.0 29.0 Regular $2,050

CO2 Emissions: 329.1 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — SATURN SC

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA95003 Opened: Feb 24, 1995 — Closed: May 31, 1996
EA — Closed — Model Year: 1993
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES
THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SY... Read more

SATURN SC — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SATURN SC across all model years (1991–2001).

20 Total Recalls
379 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
58 Reported Crashes
8 Reported Fires
2 Reported Deaths

SATURN SC — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2002 0 45 View
2001 2 29 View
2000 7 8 View
1999 1 27 View
1998 0 17 View
1997 3 44 View
1996 (current) 0 41
1995 2 50 View
1994 1 59 View
1993 1 29 View
1992 2 24 View
1991 1 6 View

Other SATURN Models

Model Recalls Complaints
ION 40 5,467 View
AURA 34 2,223 View
SL 29 2,891 View
SKY 22 623 View
OUTLOOK 21 1,939 View
SW 17 274 View
LS 16 1,885 View
SC1 13 554 View