1996 SATURN SC1

0 recalls — 43 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

43 total complaints 6 crashes 1 fires 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 19, 2012
Incident date: Aug 16, 2012
HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS ... Read more
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Dec 27, 2010
Incident date: Dec 25, 2010
FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON SECOND SATURN. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AND MOTOR TO FAIL BELOW BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO BROKE CV JOINT TO TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON. *TR
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Jul 23, 2010
Incident date: Jun 1, 2010
1996 SATURN SC2, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF INTO THE ROADWAY AND BROKE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRACKETS RUSTED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0198-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/01/1... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING May 2, 2009
Incident date: Apr 30, 2009
I OWN 1996 SATURN SC2 PURCHASED IN 2007,IT IS SPORTY AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. NOW HOWEVER I AM VERY UNHAPPY,THE STARTER WENT FIRST,THEM THE GENERATOR. THE OTHER DAY MY HUSBANDS SUBARU WAS DOWN WHILE RUNNING HIM FOR PARTS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR STARTED MISSING BUCKING AND L... Read more
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION May 12, 2006
Incident date: May 1, 2006
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR MANUFACTURER SATURN BECAUSE LIKE MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LITTLE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFTER AND TRANSMISSION CABLE HAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. SATURN SHOULD REPLACE THESE PLASTIC PIECES WITH MORE DURABLE AND RELIABLE ONE... Read more
PARKING BRAKE Oct 27, 2005
Incident date: Oct 23, 2005
EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE LOCK FAILURE ON HOT DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK SUDDENLY. REQUIRING CAR TO BE PLACED IN 1ST GEAR TO AVOID ROLL BACK. HAND BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE THE BUTTON THAT HAND SPRUNG FREE FROM THE LEAVER HOLE DUE TO HEAT OF CAR IN THE DAY IT WOULD ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Sep 27, 2005
Incident date: May 1, 2005
I PARKED MY 1996 SATURN SC2 ALONG A STREET AND WENT INTO WORK. WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT TO MY CAR A FEW HOURS LATER, I HEARD A CAR HORN THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. I SOON REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR'S HORN THAT WAS SOUNDING. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO QUIET THE HORN BY PRESSING THE ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jan 3, 2005
Incident date: Jul 7, 1997
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SAT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 3, 2005
Incident date: Jul 7, 1997
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SAT... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Nov 12, 2004
Incident date: Nov 11, 2004
AFTER ABOUT 70,000 MI I NOTICED TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER IT HEATED UP (ABOUT 50+ MI ON FWY). A TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE "VALVE BODY". I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COST ABOUT $350. ABOUT 20,000 MI LATER I STARTED HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. IT ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Nov 5, 2003
CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE CRACKING IN CYLINDER HEAD. *MR SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. *SCC *JB
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION Sep 5, 2003
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Aug 12, 2003
Incident date: Sep 7, 1998
AS WITH COMPLAINT 828481, MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T RUN UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE - AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY -9/8/98) AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED AT MY ... Read more
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Jul 30, 2003
Incident date: Jun 19, 2002
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN....TOOK TO SATURN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CABLES...THEY THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $954.00 TO FIX, THE SUNROOF HAS BARELY BEEN USED ON THIS CAR, AS I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER AND WOULD KNOW, IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT IT WOULD BREAK A... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 1, 2003
Incident date: Jul 1, 2003
THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT A PISTON ROD BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE, A LARGE HOLE WAS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK *SCC *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES Jun 9, 2003
Incident date: Jun 9, 2003
THE BATTERY CABLES INSULATIONS SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT RUBBED ON THE BATTERY BRACKET AND ENGINE. *AK *PH *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Dec 28, 2002
Incident date: Apr 15, 2002
I OWN A 96 SATURN SC2. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2000, WITH 43,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES, NOTICING A SIGNIFICANT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL USE APPROXIMATELY A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. AROUND TOWN, I CAN SQUEEZE OUT MO... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Aug 8, 2002
Incident date: Jul 28, 2002
AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RUNNING AND ENGINE WAS COLD, IT HAD ONLY BEEN BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. IT HAD BEEN SITTING APPROX 10 MINNUTES BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES.*AK
Fire
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Sep 13, 2001
Incident date: Aug 20, 2001
NOTIFIED SATURN - NO RESPONSE!!! CAR SLID ON OIL SLICK ROAD, HIT GUARDRAIL. *AK
Crash 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Jun 14, 2001
Incident date: Mar 1, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER MOIST CONDITIONS HORN WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF, AND CONSUMER HAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP HORN FROM OPERATING. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 98V307000, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN R... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jan 31, 2001
4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Dec 15, 2000
Incident date: Dec 15, 2000
WHILE DRIVING HORN ACTIVATED ON IT OWN FOR LONG TIME. THEN, WHEN STOPPING HORN WAS NOT WORKING, AND HAD TO BE FIXED. *AK
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Oct 25, 2000
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING. *ET
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY Oct 24, 2000
Incident date: Jan 1, 2000
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING. *ET
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 5, 2000
DO THE AIRBAGS HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED AFTER DEPLOYMENT? THIS VEHICLE WAS REBUILT BY MY EMPLOYER LESS THE AIR BAGS? PLEASE, PLEASE CALL ME AT HOME OR E-MAIL WITH YOUR RESPONSE AND ANY DOCUMENTATION OR REFERENCE MATERIAL I CAN USE TO CORRECT THIS MATTER.
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Feb 3, 2000
Incident date: Dec 18, 1999
THROTTLE STICKS UNLESS RELEASED BY USING THE BRAKE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT NOTHING MAJOR WAS WRONG EXCEPT CARBON BUILD UP. THE LAST TIME WAS IN DEC. 1999, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 9, 1999
Incident date: Jan 12, 1996
ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSING MULTIPLE COMPONENT FAILURES.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Sep 29, 1999
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLES OUT AND DIES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Sep 29, 1999
INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE STALLES OUT AND DIES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN Aug 30, 1999
DESIGN OF SMALL HORN BUTTON IS HARD TO LOCATE WHEN NEEDED. NLM
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Aug 18, 1999
Incident date: Aug 17, 1999
WHILE EXITING AN INTERSTATE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO FLOOR WITH NO EFFECT.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION May 5, 1999
Incident date: Apr 1, 1999
TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP Feb 2, 1999
Incident date: Jan 4, 1999
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE TIRE BLEW OUT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, MAKING IT HARD TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. *AK
TIRES Feb 2, 1999
Incident date: Jan 4, 1999
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY THE TIRE BLEW OUT. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, MAKING IT HARD TO STEER WHILE DRIVING. *AK
STRUCTURE Jan 5, 1999
DESIGN OF VEHICLE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF BACK WINDOW BECAUSE WINDOW IS TOO HIGH AND DRIVER'S SEAT IS TOO LOW.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Oct 2, 1998
Incident date: Sep 3, 1998
GAS TANK IMPLODED, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jun 12, 1998
Incident date: May 13, 1998
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 45 TO 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSNGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
Crash
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY May 6, 1998
THE SUN ROOF BUTTON DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ,CAUSING THE SUN ROOF NOT TO CLOSE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jul 22, 1997
Incident date: Jun 27, 1997
WHEN ENGINE STOPS/CUTS OUT ALL POWER SHUTS OFF. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jul 10, 1997
CONSUMER STATES THAT AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE JUST CUTS OFF. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOSES ITS POWER AND HAS TO COAST TO A STOP. CONSUMER STATED THAT A MECHANIC SAID IT COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT'S CAUSING IT TO STALL. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Oct 24, 1996
Incident date: Sep 21, 1996
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF AUTO AND HIT LIGHT POLE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO ACCIDENT. *SLC
Crash 1 injured
STEERING Sep 9, 1996
Incident date: Aug 17, 1996
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE BENDING RIGHT WITH THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Feb 15, 1996
Incident date: Feb 15, 1996
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPLY THE BRAKE THERE WAS NO BRAKE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT HIT ANOTHER CAR . TT
Crash

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 (current) 0 43
1995 1 73 View
1994 1 102 View
1993 2 85 View
1992 1 18 View
1991 1 8 View

Other SATURN Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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OUTLOOK 21 1,939 View
SC 20 379 View
SW 17 274 View
LS 16 1,885 View