Saturn SC1 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 252 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file for the Saturn SC1, across 7 model years (1995–2001). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (61). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Saturn SC1 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No SC1 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1997 SC1: 61 complaints, 3 recalls
- 1995 SC1: 59 complaints, 1 recall
- 1998 SC1: 39 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2000 SC1: 8 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1999 SC1: 21 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 SC1: 25 complaints, 2 recalls
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 SC1 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 44 | 6 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 38 | 7 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 32 | 6 | 4 |
| Power Train | 30 | 6 | 2 |
| Seats | 27 | 5 | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 | 6 | 12 |
| Air Bags | 21 | 6 | 17 |
| Visibility | 20 | 6 | 1 |
| Tires | 11 | 6 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| Steering | 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Structure | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Saturn SC1 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 SC1 | 25 | 2 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2000 SC1 | 8 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1999 SC1 | 21 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1998 SC1 | 39 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1997 SC1 | 61 | 3 | — | Seat Belts | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 SC1 | 39 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 1995 SC1 | 59 | 1 | — | Seats | More complaints than other years |
More from Saturn: all Saturn models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SC1 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (61), 1995 (59), 1998 (39). 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 SC1?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 44 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Saturn SC1 have?
6 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.