1996 Saturn SC1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Horn is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 26 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.8% |
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:Horn | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
Electrical System:Horn: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Horn leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10038334 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098714 · 2004-11-12 (November 12, 2004)
AFTER ABOUT 70,000 MI I NOTICED TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER IT HEATED UP (ABOUT 50+ MI ON FWY). A TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE "VALVE BODY". I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COST ABOUT $350. ABOUT 20,000 MI LATER I STARTED HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. IT WASN'T THAT BAD AT FIRST SO I DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT UNTIL RECENTLY (MI AT 150,000) I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PALMDALE, CA. IN TALKING WITH THE SERVICE REP I WAS TOLD THAT SATURN HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD REPAIR TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE THE UP…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098714 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022690 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE BATTERY CABLES INSULATIONS SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT RUBBED ON THE BATTERY BRACKET AND ENGINE. *AK *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471472 · 2012-08-19 (August 19, 2012)
HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT WITH HORN, DEALER REPAIRED LAST TIME 2-20-2010. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 184,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140905 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE LOCK FAILURE ON HOT DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK SUDDENLY. REQUIRING CAR TO BE PLACED IN 1ST GEAR TO AVOID ROLL BACK. HAND BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE THE BUTTON THAT HAND SPRUNG FREE FROM THE LEAVER HOLE DUE TO HEAT OF CAR IN THE DAY IT WOULD NOT STAY PUT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856137 · 2000-02-03 (February 3, 2000)
THROTTLE STICKS UNLESS RELEASED BY USING THE BRAKE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT NOTHING MAJOR WAS WRONG EXCEPT CARBON BUILD UP. THE LAST TIME WAS IN DEC. 1999, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856137 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802023 · 1996-09-09 (September 9, 1996)
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE BENDING RIGHT WITH THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032612 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
AS WITH COMPLAINT 828481, MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T RUN UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE - AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY -9/8/98) AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - 9/20/2001). BOTH TIMES, I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND BOTH TIMES I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE FIRST TIME, THE POLICE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HAD ME TOWED TO A GAS STATION - THE SECOND TIME, THE POLICE BROUGHT A FIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032612 at NHTSA ↗