1997 Saturn SC: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure occurred when there were numerous keys on the key ring. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000. *tt *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2014
“I have 2 saturns (sc and sl) both are 1997's. Both have same electrical problem where battery will not hold charge. Something seems to be draining the power but no one can figure out what. Both cars start with a jump and run fine if driven often. But if the car sits for more than a day, the battery is drained.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2013
“I tried braking hard and my pedal went completely to the floor before the car stopped and then I hit a car on the side. I could have avoided it if my brakes weren't bad. I had new brake pads on all 4 wheels and it was still low. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“1997 saturn sc. Consumer writes in follow up to a request for adjustment on his general tires due to premature ware *tgw the consumer warranty claim was denied based on the stated position that the tires were older than the warranty covered; 72 months. The consumer stated he was under the impression the tires were new when he purchased them on november 18, 2006. He was not informed that the tires had been sitting on the shelf for 3 years. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2011
“When the car was coming to a stop, the engine would start to stall, the interior lights would dim and the electronic dash would go out and the car would completely stall. The car would not start on its own and would have to be jumped off. If this happened when pulling into driveway, you could wait an hour and the car would start as if nothing happened. When you took off again the same things would start up again with the stalling and the no starts. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2008
“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. Ever. Sad thing is, I'm still paying on it. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2006
“While driving 3 mph, the frontal air bags deployed inadvertently. This caused the passenger to sustained minor injuries. Please provide further details. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2004
“Vehicle to date is on it's 3rd battery & alternator with only 36,000 miles on it. Dealer said it was a flaw w/battery/alternator. Battery/alternator 1st replaced july - aug 2002 approx 16,000 miles, second replacement oct 2004 battery & alternator 32,000 approx miles. Battery prorated/replaced alternator - owner must pay for full repairs. Also, ignition has been replaced twice and repaired once.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2004
“When key is in ignition and started and still in park the shift lock mechanism will not disengage when brake is depressed. Also when I shut off the car and turn key to off position the key gets stuck in the ignition leaving the car susceptible to theft.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2004
“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." *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT IS PULLED OUT MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL, A NUMBER OF TIME, THE LOCK-UP FEATURE OF THE RETRACTOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECTION OF THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK TITLED "HORIZONTAL AIM" DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCT AN OWNER HOW TO ADJUST THE HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM TO BE PLACED OVER THE EXISTING TEXT IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PLACE THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK FOR THEM.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS HAVE LESS LOCK PAWL ENGAGEMENT ON THE INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER THAN SPECIFIED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER.
How other years compare
Check your exact SC by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Saturn SC reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Saturn SC. The most complained-about area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Saturn SC problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Saturn SC have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:retractor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.