1997 Saturn SC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
101,553 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 27 complaints (18.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 18.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 11.1% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
Electrical System: 5; Tires: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seat Belts: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 5; 2001: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 5; 2015: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10095808 · 2004-10-15 (October 15, 2004)
VEHICLE TO DATE IS ON IT'S 3RD BATTERY & ALTERNATOR WITH ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FLAW W/BATTERY/ALTERNATOR. BATTERY/ALTERNATOR 1ST REPLACED JULY - AUG 2002 APPROX 16,000 MILES, SECOND REPLACEMENT OCT 2004 BATTERY & ALTERNATOR 32,000 APPROX MILES. BATTERY PRORATED/REPLACED ALTERNATOR - OWNER MUST PAY FOR FULL REPAIRS. ALSO, IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND REPAIRED ONCE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10523229 · 2013-07-05 (July 5, 2013)
I WAS DRIVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE (SATURN SC1 1997) NORTH BOUND ON FL TURNPIKE WHEN THE ROAD FELT REALLY BUMPY AND SUDDENLY PIECES OF DEBRIS STARTED FLYING BY THE WINDOW AND A LARGE BUNDLE OF WIRES WAS FLAPPING ON THE HOOD, COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR; WHICH I HAD TO EASED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACTED GEICO ROAD SERVICE. APPARENTLY, THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WERE AS FOLLOWS: THE LEMANS/BRIDGESTONE TIRE (P195-60R15) TREAD COMPLETED PEELED OFF THE TIRE WITH SUCH FORCE..THAT IT GO…
Owner-reported narrative. 173,411 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10224370 · 2008-04-13 (April 13, 2008)
WHEN THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD START TO STALL, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THE ELECTRONIC DASH WOULD GO OUT AND THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY STALL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START ON ITS OWN AND WOULD HAVE TO BE JUMPED OFF. IF THIS HAPPENED WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, YOU COULD WAIT AN HOUR AND THE CAR WOULD START AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. WHEN YOU TOOK OFF AGAIN THE SAME THINGS WOULD START UP AGAIN WITH THE STALLING AND THE NO STARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 114,297 miles reported. Look up ODI 10224370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721642 · 2015-05-27 (May 27, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THERE WERE NUMEROUS KEYS ON THE KEY RING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *TT *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721642 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103068 · 2004-12-16 (December 16, 2004)
WHEN KEY IS IN IGNITION AND STARTED AND STILL IN PARK THE SHIFT LOCK MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. ALSO WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION LEAVING THE CAR SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEFT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,105 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103068 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10514631 · 2013-06-01 (June 1, 2013)
I TRIED BRAKING HARD AND MY PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED AND THEN I HIT A CAR ON THE SIDE. I COULD HAVE AVOIDED IT IF MY BRAKES WEREN'T BAD. I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS AND IT WAS STILL LOW. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 115,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10514631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275494 · 2009-07-01 (July 1, 2009)
I BOUGHT MY SATURN SC1 SERIES 1997 AT 83,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HAD IT CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE, SECOND GEAR TO RATIO WAS OFF, A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, 90,000 I LOST REVERSE. I DROVE WITHOUT REVERSE FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION GUY TOLD ME THAT THE NUT/BOLT THAT HOLDS THE GEARS TWISTED OFF CRACKED THE SHELL OF THE TRANSMISSION. NOT GOOD AT ALL, I HAD TO PUT A FULL BOTTLE OF TRANNY FLUID IN IT 2-3 TIMES A WEEK FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. AND HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF AS IT WAS A DEFECT OF THE MAKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747076 · 2001-06-19 (June 19, 2001)
THREADS STRIPPED BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TIE ROD ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT SPEED IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY. DEALER IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747076 at NHTSA ↗