RoadVitals

1999 Saturn EV1

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
0
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Nov 13, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Saturn EV1. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 19 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
00V369000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Nov 13, 2000
455 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH WHEEL SPEED CIRCUITRY IN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) WHICH CAN CEASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL EXHIBIT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, A DISABLED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, A DISABLED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND/OR A DISABLED REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BTCM, THE BALLSCREW ASSEMBLIES IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE, AND INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00077View on NHTSA.gov
00V370000

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Nov 13, 2000
455 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN GENERATION II ELECTRIC VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS." THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A COURTESY LAMP CONTROL CIRCUIT IN THE RIGHT-HAND JUNCTION BLOCK WHICH CAN FAIL. IF THIS OCCURS, THE INTERIOR LAMPS WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND CANNOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE DRIVER ONCE THE DOORS ARE CLOSED AND THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING A NIGHT-TIME DRIVING SITUATION, THE DRIVER'S VISION COULD BE IMPAIRED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT-HAND JUNCTION BLOCK.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00078View on NHTSA.gov
00V373000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:CABLE/CORD:ONBOARD; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Nov 13, 2000
455 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION II ELECTRIC VEHICLES. SOME REPLACEMENT CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLIES USED FOR WARRANTY REPAIRS WERE BUILT WITH INTERNAL COMPONENT VARIATION. THIS VARIATION CAN GENERATE ARCING DURING THE CHARGE CYCLE.
The risk: EXTENDED ARCING DURING THE CHARGE CYCLE COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE CHARGE RECEPTACLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE CHARGE RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00098View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

98-T-18C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

19NA273

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.

16NA260

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

99-08-51-007F

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; WHEELS

Refinishing Aluminum Wheels This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening o re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Evaluating Damage In evaluating damage, it is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspect the wheel for corrosion, scrapes, gouges, etc. The Dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be repaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The Dealer must record the wheel ID stamp or the cast date on the wheel in order to assure this requirement. Refer to Refinisher's Responsibility — Outside Company later in this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn EV1 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999Viewing041—
1997451—
1996000—
1995100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.