RoadVitals

2000 Saturn Sc

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

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.
7
Latest Nov 24, 2014
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.
7
Latest Oct 12, 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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Saturn Sc, most frequently naming the electrical, tires & wheels and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 42 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical225.0%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Brakes112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%
  • Seat belts112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
00V310000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Oct 12, 2000
65,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00082View on NHTSA.gov
00V309000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Oct 12, 2000
6,092 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00081View on NHTSA.gov
99V297000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Oct 27, 1999
7,505 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONSOLE ARMREST FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACTS." THE ARMRESTS WERE PRODUCED WITH A LATCH THAT WILL NOT WITHSTAND THE VERTICAL FORCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE LATCH MAY OPEN AND THE ARMREST OR THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSOLE COULD INJURE AN OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONSOLE ARMREST LATCH.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 99071View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Nov 24, 2014

DRIVING AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST, POWER STEERING LOST-HARD TO STEER. MANAGED TO PULL OVER - TURN OFF/ON IGNITION AND CAR STARTED BACKUP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660413
Incident
Nov 22, 2014
Mileage
142,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 25, 2013
Crash reported

DRIVER SEAT RECLINER FAILURE. SAME PROBLEM THAT AFFECTED 1994 AND 1995 SATURNS (RECALLED AS WELL). GEAR TEETH IN RECLINER MECHANISM GET WORN OUT AND NO LONGER HOLD THE SEAT BACKREST UPRIGHT. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531889
Incident
Jul 24, 2013
ElectricalSeat belts
Filed Apr 12, 2010

I'M BUYING THIS CAR FROM A CAR DEALER J B BYRIDER. ON 3/26/10 I TOOK THE SATURN SC1 OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE DURING THE DAY TIME AND CAME BACK AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE NOISE I HEARD COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. WAS TOLD THAT A PART WAS BEING ODOR. 3/30/10 TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS COMING ACROSS MY NECK AND LOCKING, AND THE THERE WAS ONLY ONE LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD SHOWING THE SPEED AND NOTHING ELSE. WAS TOLD ORDER A PART FOR THE SEAT BELT AND WOULD LOOK AT THE DASH BROAD WHEN I CAME BACK (IT WAS SAID THAT THE DASH BROAD LIGHTS WERE OK). 3/31/10 TOOK THE CAR TO A SATURN DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND FOUND OUT THAT IT'S NOT OK. I CALLED JB BYRIDER AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANGER AT 3:10 PM, WHOM SAID THAT HE KNEW WHO I WAS AND AGAIN THE PART WAS ORDER AND WOULD LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN I CAME IN FOR THE SEAT BELT. I DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM. SO ON 4/10/10 I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSE, DO NOT WORK ON SAT? SPOKE TO THE PERSON THAT SOLD ME THE CAR FIRST THEN TO THE ON THE SITE ON CALL MANGER. NEITHER WOULD WRITE UP A NEW SERVICE, AND I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE SERVICE MANGER AGAIN TODAY 4/11/10 AFTER 12 PM. NOW ON THE SERVICE ORDER THAT I HAVE IT SAY " VOID IF NOT USE IN 30 DAYS FROM THE SALE DATE WHICH AS 3/26/10. SO I EXPRESS THAT I FELT THAT IT MEANT THAT AFTER 30 DAYS ANYTHING THAT I WOULD ON MY CAR THAT WAS WRONG WOULD NOT BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE MANGER SAID WELL WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR ALL THESE THINGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ON THIS ORDER, I EXPLAIN I GOT THE CAR DOING THE DAY SO THEREFORE COULD NOT SEE THAT THE DASH BROAD LIGHTS DID NOT WORK, AND THE SEAT BELT I THOUGHT I NEEDED TO JUST ADJUST MY SEAT BUT WHEN A LOOKED AND SEEN A PIECES WAS MISSING FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT I CAME BACK WITH THE CAR 4 DAYS AFTER I GOT THE CAR. I CAME BACK AS SOON AS I COULD. I FEEL THAT THE ARE DELAYING BECAUSE IN 2 WEEKS IT WILL BE THE 30 DAYS 4/26/10 NOT FIXED ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325091
Incident
Mar 30, 2010
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2005

THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE MONEY BECAUSE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE BY A SATURN DEALER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10111158
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed May 29, 2002

TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
762421
Incident
May 22, 2002
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2001
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON HIGHWAY. AND A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF VEHICLE . CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND WAS FORCED ON THE SHOULDERS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
898502
Incident
Oct 10, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 24, 2001

COMPLETE RUPTURE OF TIRE AT JUNCTION OF SIDEWALL (INSIDE) AND TREAD FOR APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES, WITH RADIATING RUPTURES IN THE SIDEWALL FROM THE WHEEL RIM TO THE TREAD RUPTURE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W27J BCD TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)

NHTSA ID
749085
Incident
Jul 24, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

24-NA-098

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.

16-NA-383

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

22-NA-074

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.

PI1394B

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.

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 Sc by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002380042.4
2001212050.7
2000Viewing770—
1999241045.8
1998130033.2
1997333054.4
1996260036.9
1995392363.3
1994511455.4
1993231251.7
1992162251.9
1991511—

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.