1997 Saturn SC1: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 61 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (18% 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 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The front passenger seat belt retractor would not retract properly when the front seat was occupied. The seat belt is unable to be used. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a recall repair had been performed in 1997. The contact stated that no repair was made because she did not receive any paperwork showing that the seat belt was repaired. The dealer stated that they would take 10% off of the repair cost. The failure mileage was 109,000. Updated 3/19/09 *cn updated 03/23/09. *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The vehicle has sears guarsdman tires. On two separate occasions, the front passenger and rear driver's side tires had a complete blow out. A third tire has a bulge that can be pushed. The failure mileage and tire size were unknown. The current mileage was 128,000. Updated 11/17/08 *bf updated 11/18/08. *jb”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2008
“I was involved in a rear end collision at a traffic light. My vehicle is a 1998 saturn VIN[xxx]. I was at a complete stop when a large utility van struck my vehicle. The impact speed would be around 30mph. Upon impact, the driver seat failed - shifting me back to the rear seat and then I was jolted forward and hit my head on the steering wheel. The seatbelt system failed to constrict my body to the car seat. The front air bag did not deploy. I suffered head, neck, and soft tissue damage to my shoulder and mid back area. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated the passenger's seat belt retractor jammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealership and the dealer determined the retractor needed to be replaced. There is a NHTSA recall, # 97v161000 concerning the seat belts: front: retractor. The vehicle is not included in the recall due to the VIN. No repairs were made.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2006
“1997 saturn sc2 experienced transmission failure when the spider pin broke. *mr while on an expressway an explosion occurred in the engine. The engine emitted steam and the consumer was unable to engage the gear. Under the vehicle was fluid and pieces of broken metal. The consumer was informed that the spider pin had broken and had come from the carrier jamming itself and caused immediate transmission failure. *sc *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2005
“Drove the car 2 weeks, defective crank shaft, banging in the motor, I can't drive my car. Want saturn to replace defective part. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2005
“1) excessive oil useage after 60,000 miles on engine. ) no warning indicator light to show oil is low and needs added; engine seizes while driving. Could have caused accident trying to get out of traffic without power.*ak 3) engine was replaced once at 65,000 mile. Same has happened again and engine needs replaced. This engine has approx 81,000 miles. Oil was changed less than 5000 miles ago and has been regularly changed between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. No prior indication of problem. Engine just seized while driving.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2004
“Manual transmission shift linkage broke while driving. The shifter got into the linkage and then broke off. Consumer contacted the dealer, and purchased a new shifting linkage and had the defect repaired by himself. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · May 2004
“While driving, the vehicle began to swerve uncontrollably, the consumer lost control of the vehicle, hit the median and the vehicle flipped over. The consumer sustained serious head injuries. *ak *jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2003
“Consumer stated that when he got into vehicle and tried to start it vehicle began to smoke around the dash and steering column. Vehicle filled up with smoke. Consumer took vehicle to repair shop, wa stold by technician that wiring harness had been fried. *akthey stated that it was the main wiring harness and it would cost him 4-5 thousands dollars to repair, and more if it damaged something else.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - 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 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 1997 Saturn SC1 reliable?
NHTSA has 61 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Saturn SC1. The most complained-about area is seat belts (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Saturn SC1 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Saturn SC1 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.