Saturn SC Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 296 consumer complaints across the 12 model years of the Saturn SC (1991–2002) that have at least 5 complaints. 1994 has the most, with 51. Across all years, the part named most often is seats (54 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All SC model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 38 | 65,000 | 0 | 50 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 21 | 90,500 | 2 | 48 | — | Falling |
| 2000 | 7 | 142,000 | 7 | 41 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 24 | 79,446 | 1 | 10 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 13 | 97,112 | 0 | 4 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 33 | 101,552 | 3 | 5 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1996 | 26 | 73,815 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 39 | 94,450 | 2 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 51 | 147,000 | 1 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 23 | 79,500 | 1 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 16 | — | 2 | 2 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 5 | — | 1 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seats54 20%
- Electrical system44 16%
- Engine cooling42 15%
- Seat belts39 14%
- Air bags30 11%
- Brakes27 10.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain20 7.4%
- Body and structure15 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2001: “Air bags, name unknown, opened after hitting a curb in a parking lot, approx. Less than10mph. No dents, no damage, I was bruised but I'm ok, is my air bags a recall, should air bags pop out after bumping a curb, thank goodness I didn't have my grandchild with me, or any body!! Can you let me know why this would happen, thank you. Updated 08/28/2017”
NHTSA complaint #10969433, filed 2017-03, 160,000 miles1996: “Drivers seat won't stay in upright position when I lean back with slight pressure, whether I am in motion or not. This has been an ongoing problem for about a month. As a previous owner of many cars, I have never heard of this type of problem. Also the trunk latch is not operable using the cable.”
NHTSA complaint #11162800, filed 2018-12, 137,000 miles1997: “I was driving the above mentioned vehicle (Saturn sc1 1997) north bound on fl turnpike when the road felt really bumpy and suddenly pieces of debris started flying by the window and a large bundle of wires was flapping on the hood, coming from the front of the car; which I had to eased over to the left shoulder, got out of the vehicle immediately and contacted geico road service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10523229, filed 2013-07, 173,411 milesOther Saturn models
4,340 complaintsSaturn Vue
2,351 complaintsSaturn SL
2,218 complaintsSaturn LS
1,457 complaintsSaturn Aura
1,434 complaintsSaturn Outlook
1,352 complaintsSaturn Sky
516 complaintsSaturn SC1
413 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology