2000 Saturn SC1: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED, "FROM A FAST STOP, ECT..." AND PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT FROM THE BODY. THE BELT IS FED FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR THOUGH A LOOP ATTACHED ON THE HEAD RESTRAINT, WHEN MINIMAL PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT IT TWIST'S THE HEAD RESTRAINT TO A BREAKING/ BENDING POSITION AND ALLOWS WAY TOO MUCH SLACK IN THE BELT. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN EVEN A MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE THE PERSON OCCUPYING THAT SEAT TO STRIKE THE INTERIOR. OR IN A FRONTAL COLLISION…

Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023611 at NHTSA ↗

IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE FROZE UP! UNABLE TO STEER, SHIFT GEARS OR RESTART ENGINE! UNABLE TO TOW CAR TO SATURN DEALER BECAUSE OF LOCATION. TRIED ALL RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTHING WORKS! LOCKSMITH INFORMS ME THIS IS SPECIFIC TO SATURN! ONLY POSSIBILITY THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DRILL OUT TUMBLER IN IGNITION LOCK! SATURN REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY PROCEDURES! SATURN HQ CAN NOT BE CONTACTED BY CUSTOMER!! CAR HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES & WARRANTY NO LONGER COVERS THIS! SEARCHED INTERNET CONSUMERS AFFAIRS & FOUND OTHER COMPLAI…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131204 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WITH THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT I FELT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVERS SEAT WENT INTO THE FULL RECLINE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT. I CONSIDER BOTH OF THESE FAILURES. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146653 at NHTSA ↗

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE WHEELS JERKED TO THE LEFT, SENDING HER INTO A PARKED CAR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNRESPONSIVE TO STEERING. UPON EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT LEFT SPINDLE HAD SNAPPED AND ALSO IN THE PROCESS HAD BROKEN THE LEFT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN NO UNDUE STRESS ON THE SPINDLE; IT JUST FAILED OUTRIGHT WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND HAD TIRES ROT…

Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10216710 at NHTSA ↗

IGNITION STUCK AND CANNOT START OR STEER CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248407 at NHTSA ↗

NONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE APPLIED TO MY COMPLAINT ON THE SC2. MY MAIN SAFETY CHILD ISSUE WITH THE 3RD DOOR IS THAT IT IS A TRAP WHEN SOMEONE ELSE PARKS NEXT TO YOU AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR! I SPECIFICALLY TOOK MY CHILD TO PURCHASE THE SL2 AND HAD IT DEMOED IN AN OPEN AREA VS A CONFINED AREA WHICH DID NOT MAKE MY PROBLEM ARISE TILL I HAD THE CAR IN A TRAPPED CONFINED AREA AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND 3RD DOOR TO GET OUT!*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719468 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ANTELOPE RAN OUT IN FRONT OF US. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP AIRBORN AND DROVE OFF A 30 FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE CAR LANDED NOSE FIRST ON THE GROUND. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THANKFULLY, EVERYONE ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED, THIS ALL AFTER ONLY OWNING THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS. I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR LOW IMPACT IN FRONTAL CRASHES. IF …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721697 at NHTSA ↗

THERE IS A METALLIC SOUND; A MECHANIC SAID THAT THE DRIVER- SIDE FRONT STRUT MAY BE FAULTY; THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT;;MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKE PADS ARE OK; THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AND WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55MPH; ANOTHER MECHANIC WILL CHECK THE ROTORS AND FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE IS THAT IT SPINS WOBBLY AND THE SURFACE OF THE TIRE IS UNEVEN. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE STRUT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 761042 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.