1994 Saturn SC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
147,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 24 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 3; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
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: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 5; 2000: 2; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2004: 3; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. 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 10052520 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE RETRACTOR SEAT BELT DOES NOT MOVE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070931 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY SATURN SC1 AND I LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVED ALONE AT THE TIME, AND IN A REMOTE AREA....I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE THE COST OF A TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD...LET ALONE THE BILL THAT WOULD INSUE FOR HAVING IT INSTALLED. MY CO-WORKER THAT I WORK WITH NOW..(BORROWING MY AUNTS CAR, AND MOVED TO LIVE WITH MY MOM) HAS A SATURN SC2 1995 AND HIS TRANSMISSION WENT IN HIS TOO....ITS REDICULOUS...EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WHO OWNS A SATURN SC1 OR 2 OR HAS OWNED ONE...HAS REPLACED OR GOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074050 · 2004-05-21 (May 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD RETRACT BACK AND FORTH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654353 · 2014-12-03 (December 3, 2014)
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10654353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723528 · 2015-06-04 (June 4, 2015)
THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSITION, INCLUDING WHILE RUNNING.
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479606 · 1995-03-04 (March 4, 1995)
MOTORIZED SEAT BELT GOT CAUGHT IN SUNVISOR. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502402 · 1995-05-30 (May 30, 1995)
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG IN ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURY. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502697 · 1996-03-18 (March 18, 1996)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSES SEAT BELT MODULE TO CLICK/LIGHTS TO DIM/ALTERNATOR TO GO TO MAXIMUM OUTPUT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502697 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V045000 · Seats
Reported: 1999-03-12 (March 12, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗