Saturn SCModel year report

1991 Saturn SC Problems

Complaints: 5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: —no mileage reported
Recalls: 1campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 25 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Saturn SC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1991 Saturn SC. The part named most often is seat belts, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and steering (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Seat belts3 60%
Engine cooling2 40%
Steering1 20%

Example complaints

Seat belts: “When opening the door to get into the vehicle the seat belt retractor doesn't move. Once getting in and closing the door, the seat belt retractor still will not move. Ak consumer also stated that the engine had to be rebuilt.”

NHTSA complaint #816193, filed 1997-09

Engine cooling: “My wife was driving the car when smoke began to emit and the generator light was on. The car was towed to our house. Upon examining the vehicle, the engine block was cracked where the generator is screwed to the engine block. The vehicle was towed to Saturn of dadeland on 05/29/1998. They replaced cracked engine block, all crankshaft bearings, timing chain & guides, piston rings, valve stem seals, & lapped all valves, installed new generator & bolts. Total cost: $3196.67”

NHTSA complaint #700977, filed 1998-11

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1991 Saturn SC version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
SC FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	21	31	25	$2,700
SC FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	21	29	24	$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

93V132000Aug 10, 1993
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Covers: Saturn SC 1991–1993, SL 1991–1993, SC1 1991–1993 +2 more
The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.

Recall details for the 1991 Saturn SC → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

EA93016Fr seatback recliner failsClosed · Jun 8, 1993

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.

10233362Mar 10, 2023Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)…. This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to…
10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Other model years of the Saturn SC

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2002	38	65,000	0	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
2001	21	90,500	2	—	27	—	Falling
2000	7	142,000	7	—	27	—	Not enough data
1999	24	79,446	1	—	27	—	Stable
1998	13	97,112	0	—	27	—	Not enough data
1997	33	101,552	3	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling
1996	26	73,815	0	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1995	39	94,450	2	—	27	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1994	51	147,000	1	—	26	Not compared (before 2008)	Stable
1993	23	79,500	1	—	26	—	Stable
1992	16	—	2	—	25	—	Stable
1991	5	—	1	—	25	—	Not enough data

All Saturn SC model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Saturn SC have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1991 Saturn SC as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 Saturn SC is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.

Has the 1991 Saturn SC been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Saturn SC get?

The EPA rates the 1991 Saturn SC (SC, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.