1997 Saturn EV1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other EV1 years
- Not enough data 1st of 3 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Saturn EV1. That is the most of any EV1 model year in the database (3 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 100%). Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 4owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Saturn EV1 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 100% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
1997 Saturn EV1 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: Vehicle description: electric vehicles. These vehicles were produced with wheel speed circuitry in the brake torque control module (btcm) which can cease to operate properly.
Risk: If this occurs, involved vehicles will exhibit one or more of the following: a loss of front brake assist, a disabled rear brake system, a disabled anti-lock brake system, and/or a disabled regenerative brake system. This could increase brake pedal travel and vehicle stopping distance.
Fix: Dealers will replace the btcm, the ballscrew assemblies in the brake pressure modulator valve, and install new software.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery
Problem: Vehicle description: generation 1 electric passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with a charge port assembly that could fail during a charging event.
Risk: Heat could build up within the charge port and a fire could result.
Fix: These passenger vehicles were repurchased by saturn/gm.
Service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/module
Problem: Vehicle description: electric vehicles. A transistor within the brake torque control module (btcm) causes an electrical short to ground. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake system."
Risk: As a result, vehicles can experience a loss of front brake assist, increasing the brake pedal travel, and vehicle stopping distance.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake torque control module.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with a damaged o-ring in the brake pressure modulator valve solenoid(s) on the brake pressure modulator. Involved vehicles can develop an external brake fluid leak in one or both of the brake pressuremodulator valve solenoids.
Risk: Brake fluid leakage could reduce brake effectiveness and increase stopping distances.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the solenoid(s) on the brake pressure modulator.
Electrical system
Problem: Vehicle description: electric vehicles. These vehicles were built with a drive motor charger receptacle assembly that was incompletely sealed. Incomplete sealing can allow water to intrude into the circuit board.
Risk: During charging a short circuit could occur. An arc at the short circuit can generate enough heat to create smoke and/or a flame. If a flame occurs, a fire could result.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the drive motor battery charger receptacle assembly and replace it, if necessary.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
These vehicles were produced with a charge port assembly that may fail during a charging event, recall issued however owner has not been able to receive new vehicle at this time, recall solution is not sufficient. *et
Evi vehicle is on recall because a defect in the charge port could cause to overheat (00v-069), however consumer is not happy with it. Yh
Vehicles were built with a charge port assembly prior to recall that may fail during a charging event (00v-069), recall does not remedy the failure. Yh (attorney at law)
Sometimes when the heater was running, i heard a pop noise from left front area of the car. With out warning or engine lights. While charging up electrical battery vehicle caught on fire. *ak.et.
Other Saturn EV1 years
See all Saturn EV1 problems by year, every Saturn model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Saturn models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn EV1?
Owners most often report electrical system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Saturn EV1?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Saturn EV1 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other EV1 model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.