1996 Saturn SC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
77,008 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seats: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling 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 2 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 10096345 · 2004-10-25 (October 25, 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 TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE FIX. AFTER TWO AUTO PARTS STORES, THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, AND A LOT OF ONLINE RESEARCH, I FIND OUT THAT SATURN DECIDED TO STOP MAKING THAT PART, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767957 · 2002-10-01 (October 1, 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 HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR. IT ALSO TUGS WHEN SHIFTING. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10948081 · 2017-01-28 (January 28, 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 ACTIVATE AT IMPACT
Owner-reported narrative. 91,831 miles reported. Look up ODI 10948081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 568365 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
DURING RAINY WEATHER ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 568365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072907 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 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 RIP OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AT MY FEET AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PRACTICALLY STEER ITSELF, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT F…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218841 · 2008-02-22 (February 22, 2008)
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 SEAT. THIS IS WHAT I PURCHASED FROM SATURN AND I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. THE MOST RECENT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER '06. AS I WAS EXASPERATED BY SATURN AND THIS VEHICLE I WAS SOLD, I SUED THE SATURN CORPORATION IN THE RICHMOND COUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 889492 · 2001-05-31 (May 31, 2001)
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, MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 889492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505886 · 1996-06-23 (June 23, 1996)
STEERING COLUMN MAKES CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING LEFT. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505886 at NHTSA ↗