RoadVitals

2001 Saturn Sc Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 16, 2001

What this page shows

Our database holds 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Saturn Sc. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–21 of 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
Engine
Filed Aug 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC1. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE BECAUSE THE CONTACT TRADED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

NHTSA ID
10199770
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, REAR-ENDING A NON-MOVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON IMPACT (STRAIGHT-ON AND CENTER). AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY. VEHICLE DAMAGE INCLUDED FRONT BUMPER & HOOD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10156502
Incident
Apr 28, 2006
Mileage
96,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2005

I BOUGHT A NEW 2000 SC1. THE WARRANTY PERIOD ENDED IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. TODAY I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 75000 MILES. THE REPAIRMAN AT SATURN SAID HE HAD NEVER REPLACED A HEAD GASKET ON A SATURN IN 14 YEARS WITH THE COMPANY. THEY ALSO FOUND CARBON DEPOSITS IN THE MOTOR THAT THE REPAIRMAN WAS SUPRISED TO SEE. THE REPAIR DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THEIR FINDINGS WERE INCONCLUSIVE IN DETERMINING IF THE GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAR WAS ADVERTISED USING TWO EMPLOYEES DRIVING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE HOW MANY DEPENDABLE MILES THEY COULD GET ON THE CAR WITHOUT AN UNSCHEDULED REPAIR. I THINK AT ONE TIME THEY WERE AT TWO MILLION MILES. IF THEY REALLY FEEL THEIR CAR IS THAT DEPENDABLE I THINK THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS UNSCHEDULED REPAIR AT 73000 MILES. THE ADVERTISING, WHICH LEAD ME TO PURCHASE THE CAR WAS VERY MISLEADING. I HAD EXPECTED TO DRIVE A LOT MORE THAN THIS BEFORE HAVING TO CONSIDER A REPAIR THIS COSTLY. MY EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME TO LOOK PAST THE ADVERTISING LIES AND HIPE THEY USE TO INSTILL FALSE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR PRODUCT. I WOULD LIKE SATURN TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BECAUSE THE REPAIRMEN LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THIS CONDITION WAS VERY UNUSUAL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10145252
Incident
Dec 13, 2005
Mileage
73,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemSteering+2 more
Filed Oct 11, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO STEER, WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE BRAKES DRAGGED AND SQUEAKED, AND IT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS SLIDING AND IT WAS HARD TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SHOOK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50 TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN GOING UPHILL OR TURNING A CORNER. WHEN SHE FIRST GOT THE VEHICLE IT WOULD KEEP RUNNING AFTER SHE TURNED IT OFF. THEY REPLACED SOMETHING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. DEALER SAID THE FUEL SMELL WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND THEY COULD NOT SMELL IT. THEY REPLACED A PART IN THE STEERING. ALSO, REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEY TOLD HER TO GET TIRES BALANCED. DEALER SAID THAT MOST OF THESE THINGS WERE NORMAL FOR VEHICLE . MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT TO GO TO THE DEALER AND GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE. THE CONTACT SAID EVERY TIME SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OR OLD PROBLEMS CAME BACK. THE DEALER SWITCHED THE FIRESTONE TIRES FOR GOODYEAR TIRES BECAUSE OF A RECALL ON THE TIRES. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139270
Incident
Feb 22, 2001
Mileage
20 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 12, 2005

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVNG. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE WITH A KEY OTHER THAN THE ONE WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10113544
Incident
Feb 10, 2005
Mileage
74,700 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10029909
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Engine
Filed Jul 22, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10029908
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2003

2001 SATURN SC1-IDELING PROBLEMS AND OVER 70 MISFIRES NOTED BY COMPUTER. I PAID FOR A COMPLETE TUNE UP WITH DID NO GOOD AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKES FOR $362. THE DEALER STATES SINCE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW ANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS. WARRANTY JUST WENT OUT 6-30-03. THE CAR IDELS ROUGHLY AND MISFIRES INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025527
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Apr 2, 2003

THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FITTING CRACKED. THE CRACK OCCURRED ON THE END OF THE TUBING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10013862
Incident
Mar 28, 2003
Mileage
52,500 mi
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

IN A FRONT-END COLLISION THE FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN FACIAL AND CHEST INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. WHEN CONTACTED, SATURN'S EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CAR DID NOT HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE AT THE CORRECT ANGLE. SATURN REFUSES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY, AND STATES THAT THERE IS NO DESIGN FLAW OR MALFUNNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
762376
Incident
Mar 11, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 5, 2001

TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF APPROX. 30 MILES PER HOUR ON SURFACE STREET ( WEATHER CLEAR, PAVEMENT DRY AND CLEAN) TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE. TIRE BLEW OUT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2FPAFA TIRESIZE: P185/65R15)

NHTSA ID
755325
Incident
Dec 5, 2001
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2001

PASSENGER'S AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AIRBAG DEPLOYS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
896459
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Visibility
Filed Jun 16, 2001

PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES, 3 SMALL PAINT CHIPS ON HOOD. COMPANY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE MIRROR HAS VIBRATED FOR A LONG TIME, I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WAS FROM THE BEGINNING OR NOT. THE PAINT CHIPS I NOTICED WHEN I WAS WASHING THE CAR. NORMALLY, I USE THE CAR WASH SO WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED THEM PRIOR TO THIS. *AK

NHTSA ID
746925
Incident
Jun 12, 2001

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.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .