2000 Saturn SC Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 24, 2014 · 7 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other SC years
Not enough data 8th of 8 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Saturn SC. That ranks 8th out of 8 SC model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 29%), typically at around 142,000 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2000 Saturn SC problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System2 · ~142,000 mi
Tires2
Power Train1
Seat Belts1
Seats1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System229%142,000——
Tires229%———
Power Train114%———
Seat Belts114%———
Seats114%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic114%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2001, with 2 complaints
2001: 2200122002: 1200212005: 1200512010: 1201012013: 1201312014: 120141

n = 7 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2000 Saturn SC recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assemblyOct 12, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V309000 · 6,092 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.

Risk: Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switchOct 12, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V310000 · 65,000 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.

Risk: This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.

Fix: Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.

Structure:bodyOct 27, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V297000 · 7,505 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a console armrest fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts." the armrests were produced with a latch that will not withstand the vertical force requirements of the standard.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the latch may open and the armrest or the contents of the console could injure an occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the console armrest latch.

Seat belts:front:anchorageOct 20, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V280000 · 265,698 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." some of the vehicles were produced with seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts that were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and could fall out, making the seat belt inoperative.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.

Fix: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for proper installation and torque of the seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation componentsAug 24, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V231000 · 5,373 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that may not be tightened to specifications.

Risk: If the brake pipe nuts are not properly tightened, brake fluid leakage could occur, increasing the brake's stopping distance.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.

Unknown or otherAug 23, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V230000 · 2,692 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were manufactured with welds in the instrument panel carrier assembly that do not meet saturn quality standards.

Risk: A front seat occupant, particularly an unbelted occupant, may have an increased risk of injury in a frontal crash.

Fix: Dealers will repair the vehicle's instrument panel carrier assembly.

Structure:body:bumpersAug 23, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V232000 · 1,592 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 581, "bumper standard." these vehicles were produced with rear bumper fasteners that may be loose or missing.

Risk: If the fasteners are loose or missing, the rear bumper may not absorb energy as it was designed to do in the event of a rear end collision.

Fix: Dealers will verify that the rear bumper beam fasteners are present and properly tightened and, if missing, install new fasteners.

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.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Driving and all electrical power was suddenly lost, power steering lost-hard to steer. Managed to pull over - turn off/on ignition and car started backup. *tr

Electrical System · received Nov 24, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10660413

Driver seat recliner failure. Same problem that affected 1994 and 1995 saturns (recalled as well). Gear teeth in recliner mechanism get worn out and no longer hold the seat backrest upright. This poses a safety issue. *tr

Seats · received Jul 25, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10531889

I'm buying this car from a car dealer j b byrider. On 3/26/10 i took the saturn sc1 out for a test drive during the day time and came back and told them about the noise i heard coming from the back of the car. Was told that a part was being odor. 3/30/10 took the car back to the dealer to let them…

Seat Belts · received Apr 12, 2010 · NHTSA complaint 10325091

The vehicle's transmission leaked fluid. *nm the consumer had the transmission repaired at a local transmission shop and requested reimbursement from the manufacturer. The manufacturer refused to reimburse the money because the repairs were not made by a saturn dealer. *nm

Power Train · received Jan 14, 2005 · NHTSA complaint 10111158

Tread separation from tire. *ak

Tires · received May 29, 2002 · NHTSA complaint 762421

Other Saturn SC years

← 1999 SC · 2001 SC →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2002 SC380
2001 SC212
200077
1999 SC241
1998 SC130
1997 SC333
1996 SC260
1995 SC392

See all Saturn SC problems by year, every Saturn model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Saturn SC?

Owners most often report electrical system, tires, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Saturn SC?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2000 Saturn SC a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SC model years, the 2000 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.