2001 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 2001 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
- Electrical517.9%
- Engine517.9%
- Airbags414.3%
- Steering310.7%
- Fuel system27.1%
- Tires & wheels27.1%
- Brakes13.6%
- Exterior lighting13.6%
- Other / unspecified13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
- Visibility13.6%
- Heating & air conditioning13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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)
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR FITTING CRACKED. THE CRACK OCCURRED ON THE END OF THE TUBING. *NLM
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 .