1997 Saturn SC1 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 Saturn SC1 recalls

Most common 1997 Saturn SC1 problems

Problem areas named in the 61 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	16
Seat Belts	15
Power Train	13
Engine And Engine Cooling	11
Visibility	9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	7
Air Bags	6
Steering	4
Equipment	3
Structure	3

What owners report

2012-01-03, Seat Belts
DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACKWARDS WITHOUT USING THE "ADJUSTMENT LEVER". SOMETIMES JUST BACKING UP AT 3-5 MPH, ALSO AT HWY SPEEDS. ALSO SLIDES BACKWARDS AFTER BEING ADJUSTED BY THE DRIVER-ALWAYS ADJUSTED WHILE PARKED, NEVER MOVING. ALSO, SEATBELTS WORKED FINE UNTIL RECALL NOTICE (99-2000/"REPAIRED" BY JIM BUTLER SOUTH COUNTY SATURN, ST LOUIS, MO) THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT, MUST FEED BELTS BACK INTO SLOT; WILL NOT RETURN TO DEALER, AS TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES W/THIS DEALERSHIP. APPROX 2002-03 (APPROX 80-100K MILES) STARTED USING 2 QTS OIL PER MONTH, NOW USES 3+ QTS PER MONTH MINIMUM. APPROX 2009 STARTED USING ENIGINE COOLANT EXCESSIVELY; MUST CARRY EXTRA QTS OIL, 1 GALLON ENGINE COOLANT IN CAR AT A

2009-03-09, Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE KEY RELEASED; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE DRIVER MANEUVERED THE KEY IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. SUDDENLY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE DESIGNATED OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DISCOVERED RECALL NUMBER 97-C02 (IGNITION CYLINDER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRE

2009-02-13, Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN THE FRONT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE SEAT BELT IS UNABLE TO BE USED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 1997. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS MADE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PAPERWORK SHOWING THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE 10% OFF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN UPDATED 03/23/09. *JB

2008-10-01, Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE VEHICLE HAS SEARS GUARSDMAN TIRES. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES HAD A COMPLETE BLOW OUT. A THIRD TIRE HAS A BULGE THAT CAN BE PUSHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

2007-05-17, Power Train
WE BOUGHT A USED SATURN 2 YEARS AGO FROM A DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE DAY WE GOT THE CAR HOME WE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MAINLY WHEN MY WIFE WOULD DRIVE IT TO GET OUR SMALL CHILDREN TO DAY CARE, AND SHE WOULD GO TO WORK. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP IT GAVE HER A HARD TIME GETTING IT INTO GEAR. COUNTLESS TIMES OF SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND THE OPPOSITE TRAFFIC GOT GREEN AND STARTED HEADING TOWARD HER HONKING, SHE WAS FRANTICLY TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR. THEN SHE WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE TO INJURE HER HAND TO SLAM IT INTO GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AS MY LITTLE ONES WERE CRYING IN THE BACK AND SHE WAS SHAKING AN

1997 Saturn SC1 questions

Does the 1997 Saturn SC1 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1997 Saturn SC1: Seat Belts:Front:Retractor; Exterior Lighting:Headlights; Seats. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn SC1?

Based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (16), Seat Belts (15), Power Train (13).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 Saturn SC1 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.