1998 Saturn SC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
97,112 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 33.3% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 1 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines: 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 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 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10063899 · 2004-03-25 (March 25, 2004)
MANUEL SHIFT HANDLE DISENGAGED FROM TRANSMISSION CABLE ON FLOOR WHEN SHIFTING. CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED TO LOWER GEAR TO CROSS HIGHWAY SAFELY .
Owner-reported narrative. 80,085 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070205 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
AIR CONDITIONING UNIT STOPPED COOLING.DEALER WANTED TO TROUBLE SHOOT@$80.00/HOUR. HAYNES SERVICE MANUAL SAID TO CHECK FUSE .REPLACED DIODE @$4.00 AND FIXED MYSELF. MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHINING IN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. CHECKED TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LOW. ADDED FLUID AND ANYTHING OVER 1 QUART POURED OUT. HAD TRANSMISSION SHOP CHECK IT OUT FOR BLOWN SEAL AND THEY FOUND INTERNAL METAL FRACTURE IN TRANSAXLE INNER CASE CAUSED BY SHEAR PIN MOVEMENT. SATURN ISSUED SERVICE MANUAL NOTIFICATION IN JAN.1998. DEALER AND SATURN ARE NO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10532985 · 2013-07-31 (July 31, 2013)
BUTTON POPPED OFF EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE, RENDERING EMERGENCY BRAKE INOPERABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10532985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10881827 · 2016-06-30 (June 30, 2016)
CAR KEY LOCKS UP IN IGNITION, WONT TURN OR COME OUT. CABLE TO PARK MECHANISM WONT DISENGAGE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, TODAY IT TOOK 40 MINUTES OF JIGGLING STEERING WHEEL,KEY, BRAKE SHIFTER TO DISENGAGE TO GET THE CAR STARTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 147,646 miles reported. Look up ODI 10881827 at NHTSA ↗