1996 Saturn SC1: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
39
owner complaints
1
fire reports
80,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 80,000 mi)Weak spot: electrical system (26%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)26% · 10 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)18% · 7 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)11% · 4 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)11% · 4 complaints
Steering (steering wheel, rack, power assist)5% · 2 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)5% · 2 complaints
“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. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2012
“Frame on passenger side failed on second saturn. This caused the car to stop and motor to fail below bottom of the car. Also broke cv joint to transmission. Very common. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2010
“1996 saturn sc2, while driving the sunroof blew off into the roadway and broke. *bf 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)*jb updated 08/05/10 *bf updated 09/01/10. *lj updated 09/02/10*jb”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · May 2006
“Emergency hand brake lock failure on hot day causing the car to roll back suddenly. Requiring car to be placed in 1st gear to avoid roll back. Hand brake lever will not stay in place when tried to replace the button that hand sprung free from the leaver hole due to heat of car in the day it would not stay put. *nm”Owner report · Parking Brake · Oct 2005
“The consumer noticed oil leaking from underneath the vehicle. The mechanic told the consumer that a piston rod broke and went through the engine, a large hole was inside of the engine. *ak *scc *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2003
“Automobile was not running and engine was cold, it had only been backed down the driveway into the street. It had been sitting approx 10 minnutes before it burst into flames.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2002
“Sunroof failed to close when it started to rain....took to saturn to be looked at and they told me it was the cables...they then told me it would cost $954.00 to fix, the sunroof has barely been used on this car, as I have been the only owner and would know, it seems ridiculous that it would break after only a few uses, seems more like a defective part. Because the sunroof is stuck partially open it caused water damage to the slider, and I have to push it down every time I get into or out of the car.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 2002
“While driving vehicle under moist conditions horn will suddenly go off, and consumer has to disconnect battery in order to stop horn from operating. Consumer stated that it was showing symptoms of recall 98v307000, however manufacturer informed consumer that this vehicle was not included in recall. Please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2001
“While driving horn activated on it own for long time. Then, when stopping horn was not working, and had to be fixed. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
Check your exact SC1 by VIN
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Is the 1996 Saturn SC1 reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Saturn SC1. The most complained-about area is electrical system (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Saturn SC1 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.