1998 Saturn SC1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 30 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 19 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
2000: 3; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 8; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2009: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10118945 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE BRAKING CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONSUMER SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE, OVERCOMPENSATED AND TURN 180 DEGREES. IN DOING SO, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLAMMED AGAINST A GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED HEAD ON INTO TRAFFIC AN UP A STONE EMBANKMENT AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO LOSING CONTROL THE CONSUMER FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AS SHE WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS SWITCHED TO ON BUT IT WAS NOT ENGA…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10119802 · 2005-05-04 (May 4, 2005)
THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED OF 67. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WASN'T EVEN AT THE 1/2 WAY POINT, BUT WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS HOT, & THE OIL DID NOT REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. THE ONLY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10119802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10264892 · 2009-04-10 (April 10, 2009)
TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10264892 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558138 · 2000-11-28 (November 28, 2000)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY AND THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACEMENT BE COMPENSATED, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPLACEMENT OTHER THAN A SATURN DEALERSHIP OR THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE WARRANTED, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR WARRANTY REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019128 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHENEVER VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP OR CRUISES ALONG WITHOUT FOOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON ONE OCCASION, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040022 · 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)
AT 60-65 MPH DRIVER HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND. THE NOISE LEVEL INCREASED RAPIDLY, THEN, ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS IN TRAVELING LANE ON THE HIGHWAY, CONSUMER EXITED VEHICLE, AND RAN TO SHOULDER. VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY 5-6 DIFFERENT VEHICLES.*AK DEALER STATED ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO NO OIL IN RESERVOIR, THIS CAUSED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. CONSUMER HAD OIL CHANGE DONE 200 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100226 · 2004-11-19 (November 19, 2004)
1998 SATURN SC2- CAM COVER LEAK- 12/13/02 SAME CAM COVER LEAK 10/26/04 PAID FOR IT TWICE... $98.86 AND 76.98. ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE- ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED- SUN ROOF MOTOR FAILED- WANTS $925.00 TO FIX- HORN HAD INTERNAL SHORT 10/26/04 $112.11, WEATHERSTRIPPING REPLACE ON DRIVERS DOOR 5/7/01, BELT TENSIONER REPLACE 12/13/02, IDLER PULLEY REPLACED 10/26/04. EXHAUST REPLACED 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 47,741 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860689 · 2000-04-20 (April 20, 2000)
HORN BUTTONS SUNK INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, CONSUMER CANNOT USE HORN. DEALER SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860689 at NHTSA ↗