1994 Saturn SC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
147,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 5; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2004: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10070931 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY SATURN SC1 AND I LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVED ALONE AT THE TIME, AND IN A REMOTE AREA....I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE THE COST OF A TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD...LET ALONE THE BILL THAT WOULD INSUE FOR HAVING IT INSTALLED. MY CO-WORKER THAT I WORK WITH NOW..(BORROWING MY AUNTS CAR, AND MOVED TO LIVE WITH MY MOM) HAS A SATURN SC2 1995 AND HIS TRANSMISSION WENT IN HIS TOO....ITS REDICULOUS...EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WHO OWNS A SATURN SC1 OR 2 OR HAS OWNED ONE...HAS REPLACED OR GOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654353 · 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10654353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973818 · 1995-10-24 (October 24, 1995)
THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED DEEP ON REPLACING THE ROTOR . TT ROTORS CAUSE PULSATION AND PULLING IN THE STEERING AND THE BRAKING. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980764 · 1996-03-15 (March 15, 1996)
FAILURE ON THE BRAKES SYSTEM, POOR PERFORMANCE, BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 1000 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980764 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502697 · 1996-03-18 (March 18, 1996)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSES SEAT BELT MODULE TO CLICK/LIGHTS TO DIM/ALTERNATOR TO GO TO MAXIMUM OUTPUT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502697 at NHTSA ↗