Saturn SC1 recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Saturn SC1, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 13
Total Complaints 554
Years Covered 1991–2001

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Saturn SC1. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Saturn SC1, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Seats and restraints

3 campaigns · Years: 1994–1995, 1997

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Electrical

2 campaigns · Years: 1991–1993

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Fuel and emissions

1 campaign · Years: 2000–2001

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Powertrain

1 campaign · Years: 2000–2001

These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 00V310000 · Power train: Park/neutral start interlock switch

Visibility and lighting

1 campaign · Years: 1997

These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Saturn SC1 in NHTSA complaint data are Seats:front assembly:recliner, Seats, Engine and engine cooling:engine.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2001 2 29 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Tires:sidewall, Electrical system:ignition.
2000 2 10 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Electrical system:ignition, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1999 0 30 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seats, Seat belts:front:retractor, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
1998 0 58 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts:front:retractor, Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly.
1997 3 98 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:retractor, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission.
1996 0 43 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly, Electrical system:horn, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1995 1 73 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats:front assembly:recliner, Seats, Air bags:frontal.
1994 1 102 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats:front assembly:recliner, Seats, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1993 2 85 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1992 1 18 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Structure.
1991 1 8 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seats:front assembly:recliner, Steering:linkages:knuckle:spindle:arm.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Seats and Fuel system

Show recall evidence by year

2001

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V309000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Power train: Park/neutral start interlock switch: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V310000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 possibl

2000

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V309000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Power train: Park/neutral start interlock switch: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V310000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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 possibl

1997

  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V153000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."
  • Seat belts: Retractor: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V161000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V162000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1995

  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V045000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.

1994

  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V045000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.

1993

  • Electrical system: Cables: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V094000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The positive battery cable terminal at the starter solenoid may be formed incorrectly. Incorrectly formed terminals can contact the starter solenoid housing and cause an electric short circuit.
  • Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V132000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.

1992

  • Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V132000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.

1991

  • Electrical system: Alternator/generator/regulator: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V132000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The generator electrical wiring is not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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