1993 Saturn SC1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
122,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 37 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 5 |
| Seats | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 5; Seats: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Air Bags: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 31 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 | 11 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 11; 1996: 1; 2000: 7; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10094725 · 2004-09-30 (September 30, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND WILL NOT LOCK. ALSO, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES GRABBED SLOWLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488444 · 1995-09-20 (September 20, 1995)
REAR OF CAR STARTED TO PULL LEFT/APPLIED BRAKES CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL HITTING A WALL. LEFT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042161 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
THE BATTERY CABLE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY YEAR. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK THE SATURN DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE BATTERY CABLE. RECALL# 93V094000. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976606 · 1995-12-14 (December 14, 1995)
HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY THREE TIMES WITH ONLY SEVENTEEN THOUSAND MILES ON IT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042165 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
GENERATOR FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RECALL# 93V132000 *SCC THE CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR FAILED THREE TIMES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042165 at NHTSA ↗