1995 Saturn SC1 Problems
- Complaints
- 59filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,673miles, 6 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.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 Saturn SC1 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe the driver or passenger seatback releasing and reclining while driving, a symptom covered by a seat-recliner recall on some but not all vehicles. The other recurring themes in the sample are engine oil consumption, transmission shifting complaints, and air bags that did not deploy in reported collisions. Many complaints were filed on vehicles with well over 60,000 miles, and several owners mention dealers saying their vehicle was not covered by the recall based on VIN.
- Seats
Seatback reclines or collapses while driving
- 15 complaints (25%)
- median 70,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1999–2004
Owners describe the driver or passenger seatback releasing and dropping into the reclined position while driving, or when getting in, accelerating, stopping or pressing back on the seat. Several mention the recliner latch not holding and the seat not returning to an upright position. Numerous complaints state the dealer said the vehicle was not included in the seat recliner recall because of its VIN, and that repairs were done at the owner's expense; some say the recall repair was performed but the seat later collapsed again. Reported across a wide mileage range, often on cars more than five years old and with the seat in normal daily use.
What to check: Sit in both front seats and press back firmly to see whether the seatback holds; ask whether the recliner recall repair (99V045000) was performed and get it in writing if the VIN is covered.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was rear-ended by a large SUV while I was stopped in traffic and was pushed into another vehicle. I was wearing my seat belt. My neck snapped in during the accident and the entire driver seat collapsed and reclined fully during impact.”
NHTSA complaint #739374, filed 2001-01“Seat falls back when accelerating or stopping, causing safety hazard. Saturn sent letter to inform of recall, I went to have problem fixed, Saturn declined. Stating that they sent the letter in erron, although my car has the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #713549, filed 1999-10 - Air bags
Air bags did not deploy in a collision
- 6 complaints (10%)
- typically at 5.2 yrs old
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
Complaints describe frontal and side impacts at moderate speeds in which neither the driver nor passenger air bag deployed. Owners typically report the collision circumstances and that the vehicle was to be repaired, without describing a dealer diagnosis. These accounts are collision reports rather than descriptions of a warning light or pre-crash symptom. Reported in collisions at roughly 30-35 mph; mileage was not stated in most of these complaints.
What to check: Ask for any record of air bag system diagnosis, and have the air bag warning lamp checked at key-on during a pre-purchase inspection; note that these complaints describe deployment in crashes, not a fault found beforehand.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While approaching a right curve and applying brakes, brake pedal hardened, and brakes failed. Manufacturer was notified. Consumer missed the curve and drove downhill approximately 50 feet, crashing into a tree, the air bags did not deploy, there was one injury.”
NHTSA complaint #8015660, filed 2002-08“When vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of a ford, f150, Saturn traveling a little over 35 MPH, there was no deployment of the driver's side or passenger's side air bags. Vehicle will be repaired. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #865281, filed 2000-07 - Engine cooling
High oil consumption
Mentioned in 4 of 38 sampled complaints
Owners report the engine using large amounts of oil between changes, in some cases a quart every few hundred miles, with no visible warning before the level drops. Complaints describe repeated gasket and seal replacements, oil consumption tests, and in some cases an engine rebuild; several owners say the dealer initially attributed the oil use to maintenance or stated that a certain consumption rate was acceptable. Some report the oil use returning after repairs. Typically noticed from around 45,000 to 70,000 miles, and continuing at higher mileage.
What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell, ask the seller how much oil is added between changes, and request maintenance records showing oil change intervals.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My 1995 Saturn sc-2 began evaporating motor oil, at the rate of a full quart every 300 miles. I took it to the dealer and they did a full engine rebuild, which was very expensive. My car performed slightly better afterwards but needed follow-up adjustments of the repaired parts; Saturn failed to honor their warranty on these repairs so I declined to have them done. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104056, filed 2004-12, 90,000 miles“The timing chain was replaced under warranty once and I have had to replace two alternators due to this. Now, my timing chain is going out again. The car is a 1995 Saturn sc2. Today it only has 66,000 miles on it and is eight years old. I change the oil every 3,000 miles. But, I also have to put oil in it in between changes. Now, my moon roof won't close all the way. It will open all the way but it won;t close. …”
NHTSA complaint #10005345, filed 2003-02, 22,000 miles
Buying note. Check both front seats for a seatback that will not hold upright and confirm whether recall 99V045000 was completed for that VIN, since many owners report being told their car was excluded. Also ask about oil consumption between changes and how the automatic transmission engages when cold, as those are the other frequently reported items.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 38 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1995 Saturn SC1. 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,673 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Seats17 29%
- Brakes10 17%
- Engine cooling7 12%
- Air bags6 10%
- Electrical system4 6.8%
- Exterior lighting3 5.1%
- Other or unknown2 3.4%
- Vehicle speed control2 3.4%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Seats: “Model: 1995 Saturn sc2 coupe through normal wear and tear, the driver's seat collapsed backwards, the internal metal is bent, and so the seat will not return to the normal position. The seat was already partially bent back when the car was recalled for repairs. That recall concerned the failure of the seat recliner mechanism. Saturn replaced the mechanism, the seat was upright for a time, but then collapsed fully after mild backward pressure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088170, filed 2004-08, 70,000 milesBrakes: “I cannot believe that a car, recommended by consumer reports, can have so many serious failures! Thank god I purchased the extended vehicle warranty. I live on a small disability income and cannnot afford even the constant $50.00 deductible. Currently the sunroof is broken again, the passanger window doesn't always go down, the gear indicator for my transmission is stuck somewhere between park and reverse. I thought I purchased a reliable car. I have had less problems with cars I purchased that were 5 years old at the time. This one is not 5 yet!”
NHTSA complaint #711951, filed 1999-09Engine cooling: “Egr valve caused my car to stall out without warning and often when I was turning and crossing over traffic. The computer never stored any codes and it was several attempts before the problem could be found. I contacted Saturn because there was a technical service bulletin regarding this problem but my vehicle was over 3 years old but under 36,000 miles, but they refused to honor it under warranty. They claimed the technical service bulletin was no guarantee of service. I also experienced for the first time my car becoming stuck at a speed and the RPM surging. …”
NHTSA complaint #744707, filed 2001-04Air bags: “Consumer was traveling about 30-35mph, light was green & making left turn when another vehicle ran into consumer's vehicle on driver's side. Upon impact, airbags didn't deploy. Dealer will be contacted & file complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #861711, filed 2000-05Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V045000Mar 12, 1999SeatsCovers: Saturn SC1 1994–1995, SL 1994–1995, SW 1994–1995 +1 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.
Recall details for the 1995 Saturn SC1 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- RQ00005Front seat back can recline or collapseClosed · Feb 16, 2000
- EA95003Cruise control failuresClosed · Feb 24, 1995
- PE94079Cruise control failureClosed · Nov 7, 1994
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1995 Saturn SC1.
Other model years of the Saturn SC1
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 25 | 61,779 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 8 | 57,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 21 | 61,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 39 | 56,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 61 | 78,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 39 | 80,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 59 | 65,673 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 82 | 100,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 58 | 122,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 15 | 16,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 6 | 134,635 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Saturn SC1 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Saturn SC1?
Owners of this model year most often describe the driver or passenger seatback releasing and reclining while driving, a symptom covered by a seat-recliner recall on some but not all vehicles. The issues reported most often: Seatback reclines or collapses while driving; Air bags did not deploy in a collision; High oil consumption.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 Saturn SC1 have?
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1995 Saturn SC1 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 Saturn SC1 is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 17 complaints (29% of the total), followed by brakes with 10.
Has the 1995 Saturn SC1 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 Saturn SC1 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,673 miles and the middle half falls between 53,000 and 90,000 miles; 17% 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.
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.