Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 26 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
26 reports
68,825 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
JUNE 1999 SATURN SENT A NOTICE REGARDING THE CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT THAT MAY OCCUR. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. HOWEVER KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, I ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON MY SATURN WHEN THE CYLINDER HEAD SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS OF A CRACK. THIS INCLUDED OIL IN TH…
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JUNE 1999 SATURN SENT A NOTICE REGARDING THE CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT THAT MAY OCCUR. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. HOWEVER KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, I ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON MY SATURN WHEN THE CYLINDER HEAD SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS OF A CRACK. THIS INCLUDED OIL IN THE RADIATOR. SATURN ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR THIS SEEING IT OUT OF THE SIX YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER IT IS WELL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE MILEAGE PERIOD.
NHTSA ODI #10030438
71,290 miles · Jul 9, 2003
Power Train
SHIFT LINKAGE BUSHING UNAVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10025694
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. NLM
NHTSA ODI #786205
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
DURING RAINY WEATHER ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #568365
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Power Train
APPARENTLY SATURN AND GM KNEW THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY IN THIS MODEL WAS WRONG. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT SATURN DEALERS AND WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY ADRESSED. THE CAR THUDS INTO REVERSE AND HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR. I…
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APPARENTLY SATURN AND GM KNEW THAT THE VALVE BODY ASSEMBLY IN THIS MODEL WAS WRONG. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT SATURN DEALERS AND WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE SECOND TIME TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY ADRESSED. THE CAR THUDS INTO REVERSE AND HAS TROUBLE GOING INTO GEAR. IT ALSO TUGS WHEN SHIFTING. MR
NHTSA ODI #767957
Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED CRANKED SENSOR/IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR, AND TURNED SCREW FOR IDLE AND ETC. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS WERE DONE, IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY …
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VEHICLE WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED CRANKED SENSOR/IDLE SPEED CONTROL MOTOR, AND TURNED SCREW FOR IDLE AND ETC. ALTHOUGH REPAIRS WERE DONE, IT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALSO, MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #889492
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737121
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1999
Child Seat
FRONT OF REAR SEATS ARE HIGH-BACK OF SEAT IS LOW-CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY UNLESS YOU PUT SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT TO SUPPORT IT-WHICH IS AGAINST THE LAW AND NOT SAFE FOR THE CHILD-I WAS TOLD BY SATURN THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM-2 MEN FROM SATURN TOLD ME TO PUT A ROLLED UP TOWEL UNDER THE SEAT TO MAKE IT F…
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FRONT OF REAR SEATS ARE HIGH-BACK OF SEAT IS LOW-CHILD CAR SEATS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY UNLESS YOU PUT SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT TO SUPPORT IT-WHICH IS AGAINST THE LAW AND NOT SAFE FOR THE CHILD-I WAS TOLD BY SATURN THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE PROBLEM-2 MEN FROM SATURN TOLD ME TO PUT A ROLLED UP TOWEL UNDER THE SEAT TO MAKE IT FIT.
NHTSA ODI #713028
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OFF, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION UP TO 90 MP. ,CONSUMER TRIED TAKING THE CAR OUT OF GEAR, BUT NOTHING SOLVED THE PROBLEM SAVE CUTTING THE CAR OFF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850106
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 1999
Structure
VEHICLE CONTINUALLY LEAKS WATER INTO VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS CARPETING ETC.
NHTSA ODI #543853
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Saturn Sc Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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