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: 12 of 21 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.
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. 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 reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reports
73,000 miles · Dec 14, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT A NEW 2000 SC1. THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. TODAY I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 75000 MILES. THE REPAIRMAN AT SATURN SAID HE HAD NEVER REPLACED A HEAD GASKET ON A SATURN IN 14 YEARS WITH THE COMPANY. THEY ALSO FOUND CARBON DEPOSITS IN T…
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I BOUGHT A NEW 2000 SC1. THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. TODAY I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 75000 MILES. THE REPAIRMAN AT SATURN SAID HE HAD NEVER REPLACED A HEAD GASKET ON A SATURN IN 14 YEARS WITH THE COMPANY. THEY ALSO FOUND CARBON DEPOSITS IN THE MOTOR THAT THE REPAIRMAN WAS SUPRISED TO SEE. THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEIR FINDINGS WERE INCONCLUSIVE IN DETERMINING IF THE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR WAS ADVERTISED USING TWO EMPLOYEES DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE HOW MANY DEPENDABLE MILES THEY COULD GET ON THE CAR WITHOUT AN UNSCHEDULED REPAIR. I THINK AT ONE TIME THEY WERE AT TWO MILLION MILES. IF THEY REALLY FEEL THEIR CAR IS THAT DEPENDABLE I THINK THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS UNSCHEDULED REPAIR AT 73000 MILES. THE ADVERTISING, WHICH LEAD ME TO PURCHASE THE CAR WAS VERY MISLEADING. I HAD EXPECTED TO DRIVE A LOT MORE THAN THIS BEFORE HAVING TO CONSIDER A REPAIR THIS COSTLY. MY EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME TO LOOK PAST THE ADVERTISING LIES AND HIPE THEY USE TO INSTILL FALSE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR PRODUCT. I WOULD LIKE SATURN TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THE REPAIRMEN LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS CONDITION WAS VERY UNUSUAL. *NM
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER, WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKES DRAGGED AND SQUEAKED, AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH…
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DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER, WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKES DRAGGED AND SQUEAKED, AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN GOING UPHILL OR TURNING A CORNER. WHEN SHE FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE IT WOULD KEEP RUNNING AFTER SHE TURNED IT OFF. THEY REPLACED SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. DEALER SAID THE FUEL SMELL WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY COULD NOT SMELL IT. THEY REPLACED A PART IN THE STEERING. ALSO, REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEY TOLD HER TO GET TIRES BALANCED. DEALER SAID THAT MOST OF THESE THINGS WERE NORMAL FOR VEHICLE . MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT TO GO TO THE DEALER AND GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE. THE CONTACT SAID EVERY TIME SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OR OLD PROBLEMS CAME BACK. THE DEALER SWITCHED THE FIRESTONE TIRES FOR GOODYEAR TIRES BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE TIRES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10139270
74,700 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Electrical System
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVNG. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A KEY OTHER THAN THE ONE WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10113544
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10029909
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10029908
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2003
Electrical System
2001 SATURN SC1-IDELING PROBLEMS AND OVER 70 MISFIRES NOTED BY COMPUTER. I PAID FOR A COMPLETE TUNE UP WITH DID NO GOOD AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKES FOR $362. THE DEALER STATES SINCE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT 6-30-03. THE CAR IDELS ROUGHLY AND MISFIRES INTER…
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2001 SATURN SC1-IDELING PROBLEMS AND OVER 70 MISFIRES NOTED BY COMPUTER. I PAID FOR A COMPLETE TUNE UP WITH DID NO GOOD AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKES FOR $362. THE DEALER STATES SINCE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT 6-30-03. THE CAR IDELS ROUGHLY AND MISFIRES INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025527
52,500 miles · Apr 2, 2003
Equipment
THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FITTING CRACKED. THE CRACK OCCURRED ON THE END OF THE TUBING. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10013862
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury
IN A FRONT-END COLLISION THE FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN FACIAL AND CHEST INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. WHEN CONTACTED, SATURN'S EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR DID NOT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT THE CORRECT ANGLE. SATURN REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, AND STATES THAT THERE IS NO DESIGN FLAW OR MALFUNNCTION OF THE…
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IN A FRONT-END COLLISION THE FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN FACIAL AND CHEST INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. WHEN CONTACTED, SATURN'S EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR DID NOT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT THE CORRECT ANGLE. SATURN REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, AND STATES THAT THERE IS NO DESIGN FLAW OR MALFUNNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #762376
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2001
Tires
TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 30 MILES PER HOUR ON SURFACE STREET ( WEATHER CLEAR, PAVEMENT DRY AND CLEAN) TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE. TIRE BLEW OUT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2FPAFA TIRESIZE: P185/65R15)
NHTSA ODI #755325
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2001
Air Bags
PASSENGER'S AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AIRBAG DEPLOYS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
Remedy: 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.
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.
2001 Saturn Sc Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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