1997 Saturn SC Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Saturn SC, 9% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 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 bought my Saturn sc1 series 1997 at 83,000 miles. The service engine light was on. Had it checked at auto zone, second gear to ratio was off, a few thousand miles later, 90,000 I lost reverse. I drove without reverse for 2 years until I could afford to get it fixed. The transmission guy told me that the nut/bolt that holds the gears twisted off cracked the shell of the transmission. Not good at all, I had to put a full bottle of tranny fluid in it 2-3 times a week for almost 2 years. And had to pay for it myself as it was a defect of the maker, not mine. I will never buy another Saturn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10275494, filed 2009-07, 90,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Saturn SC
10 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTires
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 30, 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