1993 SATURN SC1

2 recalls — 85 complaints

93V132000 Aug 10, 1993
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Defect Description
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence
SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND... Read more
Remedy
THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
352,833 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
93V094000 May 25, 1993
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect Description
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. INCORRECTLY FORMED TERMINALS CAN CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.
14,459 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

85 total complaints 14 crashes 1 fires 10 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER6
SEATS6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SEAT BELTS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER3
AIR BAGS2
SEATS May 23, 2011
Incident date: May 20, 2011
1993 SATURN SC2 FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND ALMOST INJURING PASSENGER IN THE CAR. SEAT WILL NO LONGER STAY FORWARD WHICH RESULTS IN SEAT GOING BACK A SOON AS YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. *TR
SEATS Feb 10, 2010
Incident date: Feb 3, 1993
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT AND INSPECTION OF THE RECLINER MECHANISM REVEALED A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH MAKES SUDDEN FAILURE OF THIS MECHANISM HIGHLY LIKELY. FOR THE RECLINER TO HOLD THE SEAT B... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jan 11, 2005
Incident date: Jan 11, 2005
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE LIGHTS WENT DIM AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND THE WIRE THAT CONNECTED TO THE ALTERNATOR MELTED. *AK
Fire
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK Sep 30, 2004
Incident date: Sep 30, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND WILL NOT LOCK. ALSO, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES GRABBED SLOWLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER T... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Sep 30, 2004
Incident date: Sep 30, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND WILL NOT LOCK. ALSO, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES GRABBED SLOWLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER T... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Aug 28, 2004
Incident date: Nov 7, 2002
DUE TO PLASTIC DOOR SKIN (OUTER PANELING ) OPENING THE DOOR IN A LOW SPEED CAR ACCIDENT IN ADDITION TO PASSIVE SEAT BELT FALURE (INTERMITTENTLY WORKED)I WAS EJECTED FROM CAR AND LEFT PARALYZED. AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING WAS REJECTED BY SATURN DUE TO COST LEAVING SAFETY OUT OF CONCERN. *JB
Crash 1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Aug 28, 2004
Incident date: Nov 7, 2002
DUE TO PLASTIC DOOR SKIN (OUTER PANELING ) OPENING THE DOOR IN A LOW SPEED CAR ACCIDENT IN ADDITION TO PASSIVE SEAT BELT FALURE (INTERMITTENTLY WORKED)I WAS EJECTED FROM CAR AND LEFT PARALYZED. AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING WAS REJECTED BY SATURN DUE TO COST LEAVING SAFETY OUT OF CONCERN. *JB
Crash 1 injured
SEATS May 11, 2004
Incident date: Feb 6, 2004
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN REAR ENDED BY VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX. 25 MPH. SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ON DRIVER'S SIDE TO 45 DEGREE ANGLE.BODY SHOP UNABLE TO REPAIR TO ORIGINAL CONDITION WITHOUT REPLACEMENT.
Crash 1 injured
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH Nov 20, 2003
THE HAZARD LIGHTS STOPPED FLASHING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *PH THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ALSO INOPERATIVE. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Oct 2, 2003
Incident date: Aug 5, 1993
GENERATOR FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL# 93V132000 *SCC THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR FAILED THREE TIMES. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES Oct 2, 2003
Incident date: Sep 1, 2003
THE BATTERY CABLE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK THE SATURN DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE BATTERY CABLE. RECALL# 93V094000. *SCC *JB
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Feb 24, 2003
Incident date: Sep 1, 2001
THE DRIVER SEAT BACK DID NOT STAY UP. *JB
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY Nov 12, 2002
Incident date: Nov 12, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THIS IS THIRD TIME HAS CHANGE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. AND PROBLEM IS REOCUURING. MR
SEAT BELTS May 31, 2002
Incident date: Aug 5, 1998
I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SEAT BELT FAILURE. BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION, THEY HAVE STOPPED RUNNING ACROSS THE TOP OF THE DOOR, AND THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.*AK
SEATS Jan 3, 2002
Incident date: Feb 15, 2001
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, FRAME OF SEAT IS STICKING OUT, UPPER PART OF SEAT IS FLOPPING BACK AND FORTH. *JG *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Sep 14, 2001
Incident date: Sep 1, 2001
ALTERNATOR MOUNTING POINT ON ENGINE BLOCK BROKE, RELEASING ALTERNATOR. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Aug 28, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD WHILE GETTING INTO VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BACK ADJUSTER MECHANISM AND LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, THE SEAT COLLAPSED AGAIN, CONSUMER RETURNED TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOME EARLY MODELS HAD SEAT PROBLEMS, AND THE DEALER ADJUSTED OR BENT... Read more
TIRES May 2, 2001
Incident date: Feb 20, 2001
WHILE EXITING THE TURNPIKE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM CAME OFF DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
WHEELS:RIM May 2, 2001
Incident date: Feb 20, 2001
WHILE EXITING THE TURNPIKE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND RIM CAME OFF DAMAGING THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Apr 25, 2001
Incident date: Apr 1, 2001
DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS TAKING IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC ON APRIL 26TH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES WOULD BE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH FLOORBOARD. WOULD HAVE STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE TO LEFT KNEE. DOORS WERE EXCESSIVELY HEAVY TO OPEN OR CLOSE. DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO BE OPERATED PROPERLY. PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF BY THEMSELVES. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALE... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Mar 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES WOULD BE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH FLOORBOARD. WOULD HAVE STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE TO LEFT KNEE. DOORS WERE EXCESSIVELY HEAVY TO OPEN OR CLOSE. DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO BE OPERATED PROPERLY. PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF BY THEMSELVES. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALE... Read more
INTERIOR LIGHTING Mar 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES WOULD BE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH FLOORBOARD. WOULD HAVE STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE TO LEFT KNEE. DOORS WERE EXCESSIVELY HEAVY TO OPEN OR CLOSE. DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO BE OPERATED PROPERLY. PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF BY THEMSELVES. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR Mar 16, 2001
WHILE DRIVING CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES WOULD BE ENTERING VEHICLE THROUGH FLOORBOARD. WOULD HAVE STATIC ELECTRIC CHARGE TO LEFT KNEE. DOORS WERE EXCESSIVELY HEAVY TO OPEN OR CLOSE. DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO BE OPERATED PROPERLY. PANEL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON OR GO OFF BY THEMSELVES. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 19, 2000
Incident date: Jul 1, 1997
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE FAILING OF THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY IS REPLACED ONCE A YEAR. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Dec 19, 2000
Incident date: Jul 1, 1997
ENGINE FAILED. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) Dec 19, 2000
Incident date: Jul 1, 1997
EGR VALVE FAILED. *SLC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Dec 18, 2000
Incident date: Dec 15, 2000
WHILE DRIVING AT 5-10 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SEATBACK FELL INTO A CHILD BOOSTER SEAT WHICH WAS PLACED BEHIND ON DRIVER'S SIDE. SEAT FELL ON TOP OF CHILD'S LEG AND BROKE LEG. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash 1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Oct 2, 2000
Incident date: Aug 15, 2000
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEATBACK MOVED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP CONSUMER. DEALER SAID NEEDED TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES OF THE SEAT RECLINER. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Sep 28, 2000
Incident date: Aug 28, 2000
FAILED PREVIOUSLY, PAID $1600 TO SATURN IN 98 AND PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. 1-CYL WAS REPLACED WITH THIS WORK IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. ENGINE PRACTICALLY REBUILT. EXISTED PRIOR TO THIS AROUND 1995-1997 AND WAS REPORTED AND TAKEN TO SATURN DEALERS WHO DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING AFTER SEVERAL TIM... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Aug 22, 2000
Incident date: Jun 9, 2000
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT AND INSPECTION OF THE RECLINER MECHANISM REVEALED A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH MAKES SUDDEN FAILURE OF THIS MECHANISM HIGHLY LIKELY. FOR THE RECLINER TO HOLD THE SEAT B... Read more
SEAT BELTS Mar 30, 2000
THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT GRADUALLY STOPPED MOVING IN EITHER DIRECTION. NLM
POWER TRAIN Feb 29, 2000
Incident date: Nov 5, 1999
I AM STILL CONTENT WITH MY 1993 SATURN BUT DISAPPOINTED THAT A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER FAILED IN OCTOBER, 1999. I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO MAINTAINING THE LOW MILEAGE ON MY CARE, BUT WHEN THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FROZE AT 30,555 MILES, ALL CREDIBILITY AND REMAINING MARKET VALUE D... Read more
SEAT BELTS Nov 10, 1999
SATURN CORPORATION REFUSES TO INSTALL AN AIRBAG DEACTIVATION SWITCH AS APPROVED BY NHTSA (REFERENCE DOT COMPLAINT NO. 97-592).
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 1, 1999
THEIR IS A CRACK IN ENGINE VAVLE COVER GASKET THAT CAUSES A LEAK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Jun 22, 1999
Incident date: Jan 1, 1999
SHOULDER SEAT BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE IS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER May 27, 1999
Incident date: May 1, 1999
DRIVER'S SEATBACK BOLT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEATBACK TO FALL BACK AND MAY CAUSE INJURIES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SATURN 1994 & 1995, BUT NOT FOR 1993 ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 26, 1999
Incident date: Jul 13, 1998
MY '93 SATURN WOULD PUSH INTO THE REVERSE GEAR WHEN EVER THE CAR WAS WARM. I WAS TOLD BY A GMC AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. AFTER GETTING A SECOND OPINION I DISCOVED THAT MANY OWNERS OF '93 SATURNS HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. AFTER FURTHER INVESTAGATION ON MY PART I LEARNED THAT S... Read more
SEAT BELTS May 3, 1999
Incident date: Apr 18, 1999
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RAIL. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Apr 6, 1999
Incident date: Mar 6, 1999
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, T BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. *AK
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES Apr 2, 1999
Incident date: Mar 22, 1999
CONSUMER WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT, AND WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE GAS PEDAL, GAS PEDAL BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. *AK.
Crash
AIR BAGS Mar 15, 1999
Incident date: Mar 12, 1999
NO SUMMARY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Feb 17, 1999
Incident date: Dec 8, 1995
TIMING CHAIN MAKES NOISE DUE TO ADJUSTER MALFUNCTION.
SEATS Feb 3, 1999
Incident date: Oct 1, 1998
THE VEHICLE DRIVER SEAT HAS BROKEN IN ITS FRAME. THE FRAME IT PROTRUDING OUT ON LEFT SIDE JUST BELOW ARM PIT AREA WHERE IT COULD PUCTURE RIB CAGE IF WERE HIT. THE SEAT ACTUALLY RECLINES FROM MIDDLE OF SEAT TO TOP. THIS IS SO BAD I HAVE HAD TO BORROW A BABY CAR SEAT TO PUT BEHIND SEAT FOR IT TO STAY... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Nov 4, 1998
Incident date: Oct 28, 1998
SUMMARY NOT PROVED BY CONSUMER
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: Feb 5, 1998
FRONT BRAKES REPLACED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: Mar 19, 1998
ENGINE PISTIONS BLEW, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT/STALL.
POWER TRAIN Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: May 16, 1996
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Aug 26, 1998
Incident date: May 16, 1996
SUNROOF LEAKED ONTO THE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT, CAUSING PROBLEMS.

Showing 50 of 85 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — SATURN SC1

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

RQ00005 Opened: Feb 16, 2000 — Closed: Aug 19, 2000
RQ — Closed — Model Year: 1994
FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE
PE94079 Opened: Nov 7, 1994 — Closed: Feb 24, 1995
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1993
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
There is no summary currently available

SATURN SC1 — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SATURN SC1 across all model years (1991–2001).

13 Total Recalls
554 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
93 Reported Crashes
5 Reported Fires
2 Reported Deaths

SATURN SC1 — Year by Year

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

Year Recalls Complaints
2001 2 29 View
2000 2 10 View
1999 0 30 View
1998 0 58 View
1997 3 98 View
1996 0 43 View
1995 1 73 View
1994 1 102 View
1993 (current) 2 85
1992 1 18 View
1991 1 8 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
SC 20 379 View
SW 17 274 View
LS 16 1,885 View