1996 Saturn SC1 Problems
- Complaints
- 39filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 1996 Saturn SC1 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SC1. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling (8) and transmission and drivetrain (4). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns 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.
- Electrical system10 26%
- Engine cooling8 21%
- Brakes3 7.7%
- Fuel system3 7.7%
- Steering3 7.7%
- Air bags2 5.1%
- Body and structure2 5.1%
- Other or unknown1 2.6%
Also reported: Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Horn started blowing all by itself, I could not get it to stop , then an electrical smell (burning) . My husband disconnected the horn fuse and battery , inspection of fuse showed it had blown . After waiting a few minutes we reconnected the battery all ok, except horn does not work now. This is the second such incident with horn, dealer repaired last time 2-20-2010.”
NHTSA complaint #10471472, filed 2012-08, 184,000 milesEngine cooling: “I own 1996 Saturn sc2 purchased in 2007,it is sporty and I fell in love with it. Now however I am very unhappy,the starter went first,them the generator. The other day my husbands subaru was down while running him for parts my check engine light came on flashing the car started missing bucking and lost power,I managed to get it home,I am disabled my husband is laid off & does all repair work,has tried everything and it makes no difference. The car has had a oil leak since I purchased it we have been unable to find were it is,and it just gets worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267543, filed 2009-05, 95,580 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I would like to file a complaint on the car manufacturer Saturn because like many people we have been driving down the road and a little plastic bushing that holds the shifter and transmission cable has broken into pieces. Saturn should replace these plastic pieces with more durable and reliable ones because the dealerships want to charge over 300 dollars to replace a 30 cent piece of plastic.”
NHTSA complaint #10157471, filed 2006-05, 117,980 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “1996 Saturn sc2, while driving the sunroof blew off into the roadway and broke. According to the police report, the brackets rusted due to the age of the vehicle and showed signs of damage from the weather. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0198-89) updated 08/05/10 updated 09/01/10. Updated 09/02/10”
NHTSA complaint #10345468, filed 2010-07Mileage when problems were reported
18% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 117,980 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Saturn SC1 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 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
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Saturn SC1 have?
NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saturn SC1 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Saturn SC1 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.
Has the 1996 Saturn SC1 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Saturn SC1 reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 117,980 miles; 18% 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.
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.