1994 Saturn Sc Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 Saturn Sc, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Interior & seats2136.8%
- Seat belts1119.3%
- Airbags58.8%
- Engine58.8%
- Electrical35.3%
- Brakes35.3%
- Driver assistance23.5%
- Powertrain (other)23.5%
- Fuel system23.5%
- Visibility11.8%
- Steering11.8%
- Transmission11.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT SEATBACK RECLINER IS EXPERIENCING SAME DEFECT AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 99 V 045 000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER SEAT WILL RECLINE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD RETRACT BACK AND FORTH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE RETRACTOR SEAT BELT DOES NOT MOVE.*AK
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL AREA VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRANTY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. *JB
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IT STARTED OUT JUST GETTING STUCK OCCASIONALLY AND THEN WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL. TALKED TO 4 OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED STICKING. THE ENGINE WAS SO MESSED UP AT ABOUT 68K THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE BACKFIRING AND LEAKING OIL ETC. THE SUNROOF WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED ANYMORE. I WENT TO OPEN IT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WONT CLOSE. I WANTED A PURPLE SATURN SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I FINALLY GOT ONE AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE THESE ARE JUST 5 OF THE MOST RECENT THINGS BUT I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER WANTED SATURN. I GUESS IT IS TRUE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. *JB
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM CAUSES SEAT BELT MODULE TO CLICK/LIGHTS TO DIM/ALTERNATOR TO GO TO MAXIMUM OUTPUT. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAILURE ON THE BRAKES SYSTEM, POOR PERFORMANCE, BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 1000 MILES. *AK
THE FRONT ROTORS ARE WARPED DEEP ON REPLACING THE ROTOR . TT ROTORS CAUSE PULSATION AND PULLING IN THE STEERING AND THE BRAKING. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER ADJUSTING CRUISE CONTROL, SPEED GRADUALLY DRIFTS DOWN INSTEAD OF MAINTAINING SPEED; NO WARNING. TT
CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIME IT ACCELERATE WILL NOT SET WHEN TRYING TO SET IT. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH. *JB
THE TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY SATURN SC1 AND I LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVED ALONE AT THE TIME, AND IN A REMOTE AREA....I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE THE COST OF A TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD...LET ALONE THE BILL THAT WOULD INSUE FOR HAVING IT INSTALLED. MY CO-WORKER THAT I WORK WITH NOW..(BORROWING MY AUNTS CAR, AND MOVED TO LIVE WITH MY MOM) HAS A SATURN SC2 1995 AND HIS TRANSMISSION WENT IN HIS TOO....ITS REDICULOUS...EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WHO OWNS A SATURN SC1 OR 2 OR HAS OWNED ONE...HAS REPLACED OR GOTTEN RID OF BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSIONS GOING. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER...IT JUST WENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL SYSTEM/LINES ARE DESIGNED WITH INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM ROAD DEBRIS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BROKEN FUEL LINE AND LEAKAGE DUE TO DEBRIS FROM TIRE HITTING EXPOSED LINE. MJS
FUEL TANK HAD A CONCAVE LOOK AFTER PUTTING IT ON RACK AND NEEDED REPLACING. SUDDEN DROP IN GAS MILEAGE, BUT NO LEAKS. TECHNICIAN UNABLE TO FIND CAUSE FOR DROP IN GAS MILEAGE. REPORTED TO BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIR, INVESTIGATION PENDING. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IT STARTED OUT JUST GETTING STUCK OCCASIONALLY AND THEN WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL. TALKED TO 4 OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED STICKING. THE ENGINE WAS SO MESSED UP AT ABOUT 68K THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE BACKFIRING AND LEAKING OIL ETC. THE SUNROOF WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED ANYMORE. I WENT TO OPEN IT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WONT CLOSE. I WANTED A PURPLE SATURN SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I FINALLY GOT ONE AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE THESE ARE JUST 5 OF THE MOST RECENT THINGS BUT I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER WANTED SATURN. I GUESS IT IS TRUE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING A PIN CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN , CAUSING THE COLUMN TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE . THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE STEERING AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTO JUMPS OUT OF GEAR, AND SEAT BELT CHOKES HER SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .