2001 Saturn SC1 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
61,779 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 25 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 20.0% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 16.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Seat Belts:Front: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 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 | 4 |
| 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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 13 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2010: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10057519 · 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FLUID LEAKED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150271 · 2006-02-14 (February 14, 2006)
I OWN A 2001 SATURN SC2 WITH 84000 MILES. A GEAR IN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL HAS WORN A HOLE THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE BELL HOUSING CAUSING A MAJOR LEAK. I HAVE CONTACTED 5 TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN MY LOCAL AREA AND ALL HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD ITS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT COVER THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ONLY WORKED ON THIS ONE DAY AND EVERY SHOP THAT WORKS ON TRANSMISSIONS KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. SATURN SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10180861 · 2007-01-26 (January 26, 2007)
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE STRIKING ANOTHER MOTORIST AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL MAKING AT LEAST TWO FULL REVOLUTIONS BEFORE COMING TO A REST AGAINST THE GUARD RAILS OF THE MEDIAN. THE OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF THE SCENE AFTER THE POLICE RESPONDED…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10180861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10182255 · 2007-02-11 (February 11, 2007)
ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON NORTH AURORA ROAD IN NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR REVVED TO 6000 RPM AND WENT FROM 0-40 MPH. I THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR MUST BE STUCK, SO I TRIED TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T. IT WAS NOT STUCK. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR JUST KEPT REVVING AND GOING 40 MPH. I KNEW I HAD TO GET THE CAR STOPPED OR RISK HITTING CARS AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION OR GOING T…
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10182255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091624 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE STEERING COLUMN WAS TOO LOOSE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURED BOLT THAT WAS LOOSE. IT COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED, IT HAD TO BE CUT OFF AND REPLACED. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEREFORE, IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091624 at NHTSA ↗