1999 Saturn SC: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
82,723 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 23 complaints (13.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Seats: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 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). 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 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10005181 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
ON DECEMBER 22, 2002, I DISCOVERED A LEAK FROM MY CAR. I NEEDED SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY JUST TO HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW SERIOUS THE LEAK WAS. AT 7 AM THE FOLLOWING MORNING I CALLED HIGHWOOD AUTO WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO ME AND SOMEONE CAME AND TOWED THE CAR TO THE SHOP. THEY LATER CALLED TO SAY IT WAS A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND I SHOULD CALL SATURN. UPON OF EXPLAINING MY SITUATION TO SATURN OF PARAMUS THEY TOLD ME MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND SUGGESTED I TRADE IN THE CAR FOR A NEW ONE. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE I NEED A CAR AT ALL TIMES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006755 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT HOLD ITS POSITION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014818 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKED BACK AND FOURTH. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016241 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
I TOOK MY 1999 SATURN SC1 IN TO THE DEALER FOR A RESONATOR REPLACEMENT AND WHEEL ROTATION AND BALANCE AT 49,091 MILES. THE DEALER CALLED ME TO SAY THE UPPER ENGINE MOUNT HAD TO BE REPLACED. LAST WEEK, WHEN WE TOOK MY WIFE'S 1996 SL1 IN FOR ENGINE NOISE, WE WERE ALSO TOLD WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNT. WITH MY 1999 SC1, IT HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALL REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE -- WHY DOES THE ENGINE MOUNTS ON SATURNS NEED REPLACING?. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020301 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *NM THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH STATED THAT SOME VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 1.9 LITER ENGINES MAY DEVELOP A CRACK INTERNAL TO THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS SPECIAL POLICY PROVIDED COVERAGE FOR A PERIOD OF 6 YEARS/100000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 45000 MILES A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CONSUMER AUTHORIZED A $500. DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONSUMER REFUSED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,467 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038779 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
SUDDEN FAILURE (CRACK) IN CYLINDER HEAD. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065991 · 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
I CALLED SATURN TO SAY MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP. SATURN SUGGESTED A PRESSURE TEST. "SATURN STATES PRESSURE TESTED COOLING SYSTEM/NO EXTERNAL LEAKS FOUND/REMOVED CAM COVER AND FOUND A CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD AT CAM#5 JOURNAL, CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO MIX TOGETHER/NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEAD,THERMOSTAT,WATER PUMP,FLUSH OF COOLING SYSTEM AND OIL & FILTER." THE SERVICE INVOICE STATES "NO OIL CHANGE PER CUSTOMER REQUEST" . I WAS NEVER ASKED IF I WANTED AN OIL CHANGE ON 11/28; THE FACT IS I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT SATURN 11/18!!!! P…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072775 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
VEHICLES STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AROUND MARCH 2003. REPORTED TO DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT. I HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES.ON APRIL 18TH 2003 THE DEALER DISCOVERED AND HAD TO REPLACE LEAKING VALVE SEALS, CARBONED PISTON RINGS AND CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS. IN DEC. 2003 THE VEHICLE BEGAN MIXING OIL & COOLANT. DEALER REPLACED CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD COSTING OVER $2000.00. THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED 2 MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 53,314 miles reported. Look up ODI 10072775 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.
99V280000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1999-10-20 (October 20, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗