Saturn SC Problems by Year
NHTSA has 201 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Saturn SC, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (39). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Saturn SC years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No SC model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Saturn SC problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 39 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 32 | 7 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 25 | 7 | 19 |
| Seats | 23 | 6 | 7 |
| Power Train | 15 | 7 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 14 | 7 | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 13 | 6 | 1 |
| Structure | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| Steering | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Tires | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Visibility | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Saturn SC model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 SC | 38 | 0 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2001 SC | 21 | 2 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2000 SC | 7 | 7 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 SC | 24 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1998 SC | 13 | 0 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 SC | 33 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 SC | 26 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 SC | 39 | 2 | — | Seats | More complaints than other years |
More from Saturn: all Saturn models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SC years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1995 (39), 2002 (38), 1997 (33). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Saturn SC?
Electrical System, with 39 complaints across 8 model years.
How many recalls does the Saturn SC have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.