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2001 Saturn SC1

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Saturn SC1 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 39

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
39
199821
19998
200025
2001
Compare all SC1 years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
4Power Train
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Tires
3Vehicle Speed Control
3
All reported categories
Seat Belts
2Structure
2Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1Suspension
1Visibility
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: 12 of 25 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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. 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 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
84,000 miles · Feb 14, 2006
Power Train

I OWN A 2001 SATURN SC2 WITH 84000 MILES. A GEAR IN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL HAS WORN A HOLE THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE BELL HOUSING CAUSING A MAJOR LEAK. I HAVE CONTACTED 5 TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN MY LOCAL AREA AND ALL HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS…

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I OWN A 2001 SATURN SC2 WITH 84000 MILES. A GEAR IN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL HAS WORN A HOLE THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE BELL HOUSING CAUSING A MAJOR LEAK. I HAVE CONTACTED 5 TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN MY LOCAL AREA AND ALL HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD ITS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT COVER THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ONLY WORKED ON THIS ONE DAY AND EVERY SHOP THAT WORKS ON TRANSMISSIONS KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. SATURN SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE AFTER DOING A WHAT LITTLE RESEARCH MY SELF THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AS A MINIMUM THEY SHOULD AT LEAST RELEASE A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. ANY HELP OR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150271

38,000 miles · Feb 4, 2004
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FLUID LEAKED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10057519

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2001
Power TrainCrashInjury

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, ENGINE SHUT OFF, EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT APPLIED, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT BACKWARD AND ROLLED OVER CONSUMER'S RIGHT FOOT, KNOCKING HER DOWN. DEALER STATED CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE USED PARKING BRAKE. *AK *YD

NHTSA ODI #899997

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. SHE THEN APPLIED BRAKES; BUT, IT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. APPLIED TRANSMISSION, AND TACHOMETER WENT TO 3000 RPMS. SHE THEN RELEASED TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE KEPT SPEED OF 35 MPH. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SLOWED AND ENGINE RAC…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. SHE THEN APPLIED BRAKES; BUT, IT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. APPLIED TRANSMISSION, AND TACHOMETER WENT TO 3000 RPMS. SHE THEN RELEASED TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE KEPT SPEED OF 35 MPH. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SLOWED AND ENGINE RACED. BUT, STOPPED AT LIGHT. SHE LET GO OF TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES, AND BY THAT TIME SHE HAD SHIFTED UP TO 3RD GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE REACHED 35 MPH. AFTER 1/2 TO 3/4 MILE ENGINE STOPPED RACING, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. MILES AT INCIDENT 19800. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #893957

Official recalls

2

00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 12, 2000

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.

00V310000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Oct 12, 2000

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.