1996 Saturn SC1: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Horn is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 26 complaints (11.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.8% |
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:Horn | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
Electrical System:Horn: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 15 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 | 2 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 6; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Horn leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10000405 · 2002-12-28 (December 28, 2002)
I OWN A 96 SATURN SC2. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2000, WITH 43,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES, NOTICING A SIGNIFICANT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL USE APPROXIMATELY A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. AROUND TOWN, I CAN SQUEEZE OUT MORE, AROUND NEEDING ONE QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES. I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, AND FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I MYSELF WORK ON CARS ALL THE TIME AND KNOW TO CHECK AND ADD OIL (MUCH CHEAPER THAN AN OVERHAUL). HOWEV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022690 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
THE BATTERY CABLES INSULATIONS SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT RUBBED ON THE BATTERY BRACKET AND ENGINE. *AK *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026349 · 2003-07-28 (July 28, 2003)
THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT A PISTON ROD BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE, A LARGE HOLE WAS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 47,592 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030436 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN....TOOK TO SATURN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CABLES...THEY THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $954.00 TO FIX, THE SUNROOF HAS BARELY BEEN USED ON THIS CAR, AS I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER AND WOULD KNOW, IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT IT WOULD BREAK AFTER ONLY A FEW USES, SEEMS MORE LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART. BECAUSE THE SUNROOF IS STUCK PARTIALLY OPEN IT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO THE SLIDER, AND I HAVE TO PUSH IT DOWN EVERY TIME I GET INTO OR OUT OF THE CAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032612 · 2003-08-12 (August 12, 2003)
AS WITH COMPLAINT 828481, MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T RUN UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE - AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY -9/8/98) AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - 9/20/2001). BOTH TIMES, I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND BOTH TIMES I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE FIRST TIME, THE POLICE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HAD ME TOWED TO A GAS STATION - THE SECOND TIME, THE POLICE BROUGHT A FIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038334 · 2003-09-05 (September 5, 2003)
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044097 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE CRACKING IN CYLINDER HEAD. *MR SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044097 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098714 · 2004-11-12 (November 12, 2004)
AFTER ABOUT 70,000 MI I NOTICED TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER IT HEATED UP (ABOUT 50+ MI ON FWY). A TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE "VALVE BODY". I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COST ABOUT $350. ABOUT 20,000 MI LATER I STARTED HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. IT WASN'T THAT BAD AT FIRST SO I DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT UNTIL RECENTLY (MI AT 150,000) I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PALMDALE, CA. IN TALKING WITH THE SERVICE REP I WAS TOLD THAT SATURN HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD REPAIR TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE THE UP…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098714 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.