1998 Saturn SC1: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 30 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 19 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 4 |
2000: 3; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 8; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2009: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10000215 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
OIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY CHANGED AND FUMES CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. I PULLED CAR OFF INTERSTATE IMMEDIATELY AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD. UPON CHECKING OIL, FOUND THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. I HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON CAR, AS CAN BE VERIFIED BY SATURN. WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS A 1998 SATURN SC2 WITH 91,000 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001901 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE DEFROST/RECIRCULATION FEATURE ON, THE FROST FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER COOLING COILS COVER THE WINDSHIELD WITH VAPOR RESULTING IN POOR VISIBILITY. *TT *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013752 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE NO LONGER WORKS, THIS ALLOWS THE BELT TO BECOME CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, DAMAGING THE STRAP. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017557 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017557 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017973 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019128 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHENEVER VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP OR CRUISES ALONG WITHOUT FOOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON ONE OCCASION, AND CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 54,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020742 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 SATURN SC2, I BOUGHT IT IN MAY OF 2001, IN AUGUST OF 2001 IT BEGAN TO START ACTING UP. WHEN I AM IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR WITH THE CLUTCH ALL THE WAY IN, AND ALSO WHEN I AM JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ENGINE WILL REV FOR NO REASON. I NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE IS REVVING HIGHER THAN USUAL. WHEN I STOP IT WILL GO FROM 1000 RPMS TO 3000 RPMS AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL I CUT OFF, AND WILL SOMETIMES JUST DROP BACK DOWN TO 1000 ALL WHILE I AM JUST SITTING THERE. I HAVE GONE TO THE SATURN DEALER A FEW TIMES AND TO 2 OTHER GARA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027127 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027127 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.