1996 Saturn SC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
77,008 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Seats: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2012: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling 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 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025694 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
SHIFT LINKAGE BUSHING UNAVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 71,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030438 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
JUNE 1999 SATURN SENT A NOTICE REGARDING THE CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT THAT MAY OCCUR. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. HOWEVER KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, I ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON MY SATURN WHEN THE CYLINDER HEAD SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS OF A CRACK. THIS INCLUDED OIL IN THE RADIATOR. SATURN ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR THIS SEEING IT OUT OF THE SIX YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER IT IS WELL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE MILEAGE PERIOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,825 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042586 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HORN PROBLEMS. THE FUSE HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP BLOWING. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF THE HORN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THEY INSIST THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069499 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
HEAD GASKET BLOWN, HEAD CRACKED, ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT MIXING. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. SATURN SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES AS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD (6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES)
Owner-reported narrative. 73,815 miles reported. Look up ODI 10069499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072907 · 2004-05-20 (May 20, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING RIP OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AT MY FEET AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PRACTICALLY STEER ITSELF, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT F…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078589 · 2004-06-22 (June 22, 2004)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN "ON" IN THE "OFF" POSITION. I MUST TURN "ON" THE WIPERS IN ORDER TO TURN THEM "OFF". NO DELAY WIPER SPEED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 888,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096345 · 2004-10-25 (October 25, 2004)
I DRIVE A 1996 SATURN SC-1. WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY YESTERDAY, THE GEARSHIFT WENT "LIMP" AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE. I REMOVED THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND FOUND THAT WHAT I LATER FOUND OUT TO BE THE "SHIFTER LINKAGE BUSHING" HAD BROKEN IN HALF, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE FIX. AFTER TWO AUTO PARTS STORES, THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, AND A LOT OF ONLINE RESEARCH, I FIND OUT THAT SATURN DECIDED TO STOP MAKING THAT PART, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193796 · 2007-06-20 (June 20, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD HAD ONE LONG CRACK AND ONE SHORT CRACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193796 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.