1997 Saturn EV1: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 4 complaints (75.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 3; Electrical System: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 4 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 | 4 |
2000: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 551566 · 2000-03-24 (March 24, 2000)
EVI VEHICLE IS ON RECALL BECAUSE A DEFECT IN THE CHARGE PORT COULD CAUSE TO OVERHEAT (00V-069), HOWEVER CONSUMER IS NOT HAPPY WITH IT. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551566 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551790 · 2000-03-05 (March 5, 2000)
VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY PRIOR TO RECALL THAT MAY FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT (00V-069), RECALL DOES NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. YH (ATTORNEY AT LAW)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 553152 · 2000-07-21 (July 21, 2000)
THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT MAY FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT, RECALL ISSUED HOWEVER OWNER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, RECALL SOLUTION IS NOT SUFFICIENT. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 857358 · 2000-02-22 (February 22, 2000)
SOMETIMES WHEN THE HEATER WAS RUNNING, I HEARD A POP NOISE FROM LEFT FRONT AREA OF THE CAR. WITH OUT WARNING OR ENGINE LIGHTS. WHILE CHARGING UP ELECTRICAL BATTERY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK.ET.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 857358 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V069100 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 2000-03-03 (March 3, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.
Consequence: HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE REPURCHASED BY SATURN/GM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V369000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH WHEEL SPEED CIRCUITRY IN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) WHICH CAN CEASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL EXHIBIT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, A DISABLED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, A DISABLED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND/OR A DISABLED REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BTCM, THE BALLSCREW ASSEMBLIES IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE, AND INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V042000 · Electrical System
Reported: 1997-03-20 (March 20, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVE MOTOR CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY THAT WAS INCOMPLETELY SEALED. INCOMPLETE SEALING CAN ALLOW WATER TO INTRUDE INTO THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
Consequence: DURING CHARGING A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR. AN ARC AT THE SHORT CIRCUIT CAN GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CREATE SMOKE AND/OR A FLAME. IF A FLAME OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVE MOTOR BATTERY CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1997-07-01 (July 1, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DAMAGED O-RING IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR. INVOLVED VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP AN EXTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BRAKE PRESSUREMODULATOR VALVE SOLENOIDS.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V169000 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 1998-07-28 (July 28, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. A TRANSISTOR WITHIN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM."
Consequence: AS A RESULT, VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, INCREASING THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗