Saturn SC problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
224 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 224 complaints (8.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 5.8% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 3.1% |
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 | 20 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Seats | 14 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 13 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 10 |
Electrical System: 20; Engine And Engine Cooling: 14; Seat Belts: 14; Seats: 14; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 13; Air Bags: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 11
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 139 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 | 20 |
| 1996 | 12 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 15 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
1995: 20; 1996: 12; 2000: 23; 2001: 21; 2002: 21; 2003: 28; 2004: 21; 2005: 12; 2006: 3; 2007: 8; 2008: 7; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 7; 2014: 15; 2015: 5; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 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 958321 · 1995-01-04 (January 4, 1995)
EMERGENCY BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD EITHER ON HILL OR LEVEL GROUND, VEHICLE WILL ROLL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958321 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 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 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 ↗
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 10004022 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER HEARD THE STEERING MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHICH LEAD TO DIMINISHED CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SOON AFTER, ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING AND THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962967 · 1995-04-03 (April 3, 1995)
WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO 5TH GEAR IT VIBRATES AND THEN STALLS OUT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070460 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
FIRST PROBLEM THE CAR OVER HEATED. WASN'T TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TREATED AS IF I MADE THE WHOLE THING UP! THEY CHECK THE CAR & TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING CHECK OUT OKAY. DIDN'T HAVE ANY FUTHER PROBLEM WITH IT OVER HEATING. THEN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING & EVEN DYING OUT WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING! PUSHED THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AFTER IT FINALLY DIED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR & SPARK PLUGS. THEY PROCEEDED AS USUAL TO TREAT THIS AS A REALLY ODD THING TO HAPPEN! I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROB…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,561 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070460 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1991: 1; 1992: 2; 1993: 1; 1994: 1; 1995: 2; 1996: 0; 1997: 3; 1998: 0; 1999: 1; 2000: 7; 2001: 2; 2002: 0