1994 Saturn SC1: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 82 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (37% of complaints); the 1992 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1994 saturn sc2 with rpm surging, transmission repair. Customer states that when the rpm's surged the vehicle would accelerate on its own. Customer also states that the motor mount was loose, which made all mounts and brackets have to be replaced. *kb the consumer stated the radiator, catalytic converter, alternator, starter, battery first gear were all replaced. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2007
“Daughter was driving home from work in 1994 saturn sc2 when right rear wheel snapped off. She lost control of the car and it rolled several times. Daughter was air lifted to united methodist hospital des moines ia. With brain concussion, facial cuts which required plastic surgery the night of the accident, partly collapsed lung, injured spleen, broken leg. Will require more plastic surgery. Insurance company has the car. The car was a total loss. Wheel definitely possible failure with the airbag and seat belt. *jb”Owner report · Wheels · Aug 2005
“Passenger side passive shoulder seat belt retractor has failed. It no longer moves foward to allow easy access into the passenger seat. This results in passenger having to manually disengage the should belt and remember to re-engage it for safety. I consider this a serious problem when a basic safety system fails. I would like manufacturer to repair at no charge.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“I feel this is a dangerous condition, which should be recalled before any one dies. The spring that returns the outside door handle to the "shut" position breaks. Then handle does not return to its' closed position. When this happens, the door will not latch or will not lock. Alternatively, if the door is locked and the outside handle is vibrated or lifted, the door cannot be unlocked. It is very possible to be trapped inside the car, which could be fatal in an accident, fire or crash. *nm”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · May 2004
“1994 sc2 saturn. The seat belts have two parts, and the upper part moves when you open the door. The lap belt is separate and you latch this manually. The problem is the upper part has stopped working it will not move. *la”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2003
“Driver's side seat belt will retract and tighten severely. This will result in the driver being trapped in the seat, and sustaining bruises.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2003
“Recliner mechanism on the driver side seat is not working properly. Mechanism does not hold in place, and when the consumer is driving, seat will fall back. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.*ak”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2002
“Drivers side seat has a defect, when driver barely leans or presses it, the seats reclined backwards without prior warning.*ak *slc”Owner report · Seats · Sep 2001
“Bridgestone, potenza, dot emcbchj208, p195/60r15. Replacement tires on saturn, sl, 1994, while driving at 65 mph steering wheel started to shake, consumer heard a loud sound, and managed to get vehicle to the side of the road drivers side front tire tread came completely off.*ak (bridgestone tires.) consumer states there was about 45,000 miles on tire, the tread came off tearing a hole in the front left fender.*jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2001
“Driver's seat would intermittently recline by itself while drving. Dealer was notified. *ak the seat gear teeth are worn excessively. *jg”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
How other years compare
Check your exact SC1 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 1994 Saturn SC1 reliable?
NHTSA has 82 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1994 Saturn SC1. The most complained-about area is seats (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Saturn SC1 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 104,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Saturn SC1 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seats. 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.