Saturn SCModel year report

1996 Saturn SC Problems

Complaints: 26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 73,815miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 27 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 33 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Saturn SC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SC. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by brakes (5) and electrical system (5). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 73,815 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Air bags (1), Engine (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Steering (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “June 1999 Saturn sent a notice regarding the cylinder head defect that may occur. They extended warranty to 100,000 miles or 6 years. However knowing there is a defect in their workmanship, I attempted contact with less than 69,000 miles on my Saturn when the cylinder head showed all the signs of a crack. This included oil in the radiator. Saturn accepts no liability for this seeing it out of the six year warranty period. However it is well within the 100,000 mile mileage period.”

NHTSA complaint #10030438, filed 2003-07, 68,825 miles

Brakes: “Ligthly applied brake to slow down to stop at intersection; though I had foot pressing hard on brake car would not stop, entered intersection and struck a passing car; this was within an hour of picking up the car from garage where repairs had been done because of this problem; air bags did not activate at impact”

NHTSA complaint #10948081, filed 2017-01, 91,831 miles

Electrical system: “While driving down the freeway on my way to work in rush hour traffic my car began to shake. As I slowed there was a tearing sound from the drivers front tire. Almost instantly parts from that part of the car, such as the fender and wheel well, began breaking off of the car. Then I felt something rip out from under the dashboard at my feet and the car began to practically steer itself, I realized that I was in trouble. I was able to get the car off the road without hurting myself or anyone else. …”

NHTSA complaint #10072907, filed 2004-05, 80,200 miles

Body and structure: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,825 and 91,831 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 73,815 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

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 1996 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	25	36	29	$2,300
SC FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	23	33	27	$2,500
SC FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	22	32	26	$2,600
SC FWD	1.9L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	21	31	25	$2,700

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Saturn SC in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.

10233366Mar 10, 2023Electrical system, Equipment, Visibility (wipers, defrost…. 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 1996 Saturn SC have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SC as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Saturn SC is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (23% of the total), followed by brakes with 5.

Has the 1996 Saturn SC been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Saturn SC get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Saturn SC (SC, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Saturn SC reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 73,815 miles and the middle half falls between 68,825 and 91,831 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.