1997 Saturn SC Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 15%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Saturn SC, 15% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 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.
“I got my 97 Saturn sc1 a year ago with 56k miles on it. The couple that had it before me took very good care of it considering the obvious lack of quality from the factory. I've put just over 21k miles on it in the last year. Every 500-1000 miles it burns a quart of oil. This means that every 3000 miles I have to give it two oil changes, one the normal way, and one every time I fill it with gas. The joke has become fill the oil and check the gas.”
NHTSA complaint #10064451, filed 2004-04, 1 miles“While driving on the freeway at approximately 55 MPH all of a sudden smoke came from under the hood. Vehicle became squarely. There was a crack in the cylinder head, spilling oil all over the exhaust system, which caused smoke and got oil all over the tires. It blew out 4 quarts of oil very rapidly, causing the front of the vehicle to swirl all over the road. The entire vehicle was filled with oil smoke, making visibility very dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10101232, filed 2004-11, 80,000 miles“Engine cylinder head failure while driving at 45 MPH. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that warranty expired. Please feel free to provide any further detail on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #880898, filed 2001-02Related 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 1997 Saturn SC
10 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Saturn SC
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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