1996 Saturn SC Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 23%of 26 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,825miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Saturn SC, 23% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,825 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Head gasket blown, head cracked, engine oil and coolant mixing. This is a well known manufacturer's defect. Saturn says they will not cover the expenses as I am out of the warranty period (6 years or 100,000 miles)”
NHTSA complaint #10069499, filed 2004-01, 73,815 miles“Vehicle would stall periodically without any type of prior warning. Vehicle has been taken to dealer on six different occasions, and dealer replaced cranked sensor/idle speed control motor, and turned screw for idle and etc. Although repairs were done, it did not remedy the problem. Also, manufacturer was contacted by dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #889492, filed 2001-05Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 4 | 11% |
| 2001 | 4 | 19% |
| 1999 | 7 | 29% |
| 1998 | 3 | 23% |
| 1997 | 5 | 15% |
| 1996 | 6 | 23% |
| 1995 | 3 | 8% |
| 1994 | 4 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 13% |
| 1992 | 1 | 6% |
| 1991 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1996 Saturn SC
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Saturn SC
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology