RoadVitals

2001 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.
21
Latest Sep 8, 2022
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.
2
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.
4
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Saturn Sc, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 51 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

  • Electrical517.9%
  • Engine517.9%
  • Airbags414.3%
  • Steering310.7%
  • Fuel system27.1%
  • Tires & wheels27.1%
  • Brakes13.6%
  • Exterior lighting13.6%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 21
Fuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2022

Vehicle leaks fuel when filled with gasoline at pump. If operator fills vehicle till the pump stops vehicle will leak fuel after roughly 15 seconds of pump stopping. The vehicle will only drip a small puddle of fuel. Vehicle could leak more if vehicle is at an incline or rolled. This has occurred at multiple pump at stations of differing brands. Over the span of weeks.

NHTSA ID
11483581
Incident
Apr 16, 2022
Airbags
Filed Mar 29, 2017

AIR BAGS, NAME UNKNOWN, OPENED AFTER HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT, APPROX. LESS THAN10MPH. NO DENTS, NO DAMAGE, I WAS BRUISED BUT I'M OK, IS MY AIR BAGS A RECALL, SHOULD AIR BAGS POP OUT AFTER BUMPING A CURB, THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T HAVE MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME, OR ANY BODY!! CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN, THANK YOU. UPDATED 08/28/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10969433
Incident
Jan 9, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Nov 17, 2014

2001 SATURN SC WITH FAULTY IGNITION. KEY BINDS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT ALSO FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN DRIVING. KEY HAS BEEN GRINDING DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CYLINDER. THIS IS A HAZARD AND DANGER TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY RECALLED. I WANTED A CASE OPENED AND TOLD THEM IF ANYTHING HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN I WILL SEEK RESTITUTION. THE SR. ADVISOR WAS NOT HELPFUL AND TRIED TO DISMISS ME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. GM IS NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES OR THEIR CUSTOMERS. POOR DESIGN, POOR QUALITY, POOR SUPPORT = BODILY HARM, MORE LAWSUITS AND NO MORE CUSTOMERS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10658524
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION PROPERLY. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAMPER WITH THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ID
10619560
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
185,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 6, 2014
Fire reported

WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING TESTED IN THE SHOP, A FUSE WAS REPLACED. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP CHECKED WITH A GENERAL MOTORS WHO VERIFIED THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR SATURNS TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10619445
Incident
Jul 24, 2014
Mileage
135,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 21, 2010

2001 SATURN SC1 HAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMPS. CURRENTLY DOES NOT POSE A PROBLEM BUT MAY LIMIT THE OUTPUT OF LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SATURN MECHANICS THAT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, YET DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10301763
Incident
May 13, 2004
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 12, 2009

KEY SWITCH NO LONGER WORKS ON MY 2001 SATURN SC2. DEALER WANTS $400 TO FIX BECAUSE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. . MY KEY STILL WORKS ON THE DOORS AND TRUNK. I HAVE A '53 CHEVROLET WITH THE ORIGINAL KEY AND IT STILL WORKS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL SATURNS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291916
Incident
Oct 17, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 13, 2008
Crash reported

MY DAUGHTER KATIE WAS DRIVING HER CAR AROUND A CURVED EXIT RAMP WHEN THE STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL. THE CAR VEERED WILDLY BACK AND FORTH, AND THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. SHE MADE MINOR CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING UNTIL IT FINALLY BEGAN TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THEN A FOX RAN ACROSS THE ROAD, SHE JERKED REFLEXIVELY, AND THE CAR VEERED INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED. LUCKILY SHE WAS UNINJURED EXCEPT FOR SCRAPES, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS TOTALED - WINDSHIELD SMASHED, ROOF SMASHED, PASSENGER SIDE SMASHED, AND SO ON. HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227607
Incident
Apr 30, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

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.

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
2001Viewing212050.7
2000770—
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.