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1998 Saturn SC1

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Saturn SC1 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 39

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
59
199539
199661
199739
199821
19998
200025
2001
Compare all SC1 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
13Seat Belts
10Visibility
5Electrical System
4Power Train
3
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Air Bags
2Latches/locks/linkages
2Seats
2Structure
2Suspension
2Tires
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Unknown Or Other
1

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: 11 of 39 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
75,000 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesPower Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00.…

Read full complaint

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264892

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2000
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY AND THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACEMENT BE COMPENSATED, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPLACEMENT OTHER THAN A SATURN DEALERSHIP OR THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE WARRANTED, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR WARRANTY REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #558138

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power TrainSeat Belts

SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606140

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.