1997 Saturn SC1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 36 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 19.4% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 13.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 13.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 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:Engine | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 26 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 | 6 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 5; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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 10074435 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)
AFTER STOPPING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE THE REVERSE GEAR WOULD NOT WORK. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER FIFTY TIMES SINCE JULY 2003. ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN THE REVERSE GEAR WOULD WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. *LA *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083254 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE SHIFTER GOT INTO THE LINKAGE AND THEN BROKE OFF. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND PURCHASED A NEW SHIFTING LINKAGE AND HAD THE DEFECT REPAIRED BY HIMSELF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 172,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003090 · 2002-01-29 (January 29, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE , AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE VEERING INTO ANOTHER LANE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8018095 · 2002-09-06 (September 6, 2002)
PARKING BRAKE BUTTON MOST OF THE TIME FAILS TO ENGAGE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8018095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038036 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN HE GOT INTO VEHICLE AND TRIED TO START IT VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AROUND THE DASH AND STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, WA STOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN FRIED. *AKTHEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS AND IT WOULD COST HIM 4-5 THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO REPAIR, AND MORE IF IT DAMAGED SOMETHING ELSE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170846 · 2006-10-15 (October 15, 2006)
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 SATURN VIN[XXX]. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A LARGE UTILITY VAN STRUCK MY VEHICLE. THE IMPACT SPEED WOULD BE AROUND 30MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED - SHIFTING ME BACK TO THE REAR SEAT AND THEN I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED TO CONSTRICT MY BODY TO THE CAR SEAT. THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED HEAD, NECK, AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER AND MID BACK AREA. *JS INF…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170846 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008295 · 2003-03-01 (March 1, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT, ENGINE IS DEAD. WILL COST OVER $3000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, MANY PROBLEMS, AND MOST WERE NEVER FIXED. I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER 2000 ABOUT GOING TO ARBITRATION RE: HAVING VEHICLE REPLACED, AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE AREA REPRESENTATIVELY NAME AND NUMBER. I GOT IT ANYWAY AND FILED A COMPLAINT. DEALER PROMISED TO RECTIFY ALL ISSUES, AND REPAIRED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, WHICH HAVE ALL RECURRED (AND WORSE) SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. PROBLEMS HAVE INCLUDED ELE…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864478 · 2000-06-29 (June 29, 2000)
ENGINE STALLED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT AT 25,300 MILES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED TO REOCCUR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864478 at NHTSA ↗