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Saturn SCModel year report

1999 Saturn SC Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,446miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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 1999 Saturn SC (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1999 Saturn SC. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 7 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and seats (3). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 11% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,446 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 10 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I called Saturn to say my low coolant light came on during a trip. Saturn suggested a pressure test. Saturn states pressure tested cooling system/no external leaks found/removed cam cover and found a crack in cylinder head at cam#5 journal, causing oil and coolant to mix together/needs new cylinder head,thermostat,water pump,flush of cooling system and oil & filter. The service invoice states no oil change per customer request . I was never asked if I wanted an oil change on 11/28; the fact is I had an oil change at Saturn 11/18!!!! …”

NHTSA complaint #10065991, filed 2004-04, 58,000 miles

Air bags: “My vehicle was moving on the freeway, when I was hit from passenger side, drivers side hit concrete divider, airbag knocked me out, after front of car hit embankment, then I woke up from the smoke, smell of fire coming from airbag.”

NHTSA complaint #10822401, filed 2016-01, 115,000 miles

Electrical system: “On may 12, 2012 I tried to start my car and it wouldn't turn over. I had it towed to the local mechanic and he replaced the ignition module (part number lx386) on my 1999 Saturn sc2. Then on december 5, 2013, I was driving on the grand central parkway in nyc and my car died. Luckily I was able to safely make my way over to the side of the busy parkway. I was towed to my mechanic and once again I had to pay to replace the ignition module. …”

NHTSA complaint #10578526, filed 2014-04, 79,446 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

11% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,000 and 89,264 miles.

0%0–100%10–2511%25–5033%50–7533%75–10022%100–1500%150+
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: 79,446 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

1999200120036200520102016
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 1999 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
SC FWD1.9L 4-cyl5-speed manual253629$2,300
SC FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic233327$2,500
SC FWD1.9L 4-cyl5-speed manual233427$2,500
SC FWD1.9L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223226$2,600

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

Recall details for the 1999 Saturn SC → · Check a 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. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the Saturn SC

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20023865,0000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20012190,5002—27—Falling
20007142,0007—27—Not enough data
19992479,4461—27—Stable
19981397,1120—27—Not enough data
199733101,5523—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19962673,8150—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19953994,4502—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199451147,0001—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19932379,5001—26—Stable
199216—2—25—Stable
19915—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 1999 Saturn SC have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 1999 Saturn SC as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1999 Saturn SC is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 7 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.

Has the 1999 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 1999 Saturn SC get?

The EPA rates the 1999 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 1999 Saturn SC reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,446 miles and the middle half falls between 58,000 and 89,264 miles; 11% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.