RoadVitals

1991 Saturn SC1

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.
6
Latest Feb 17, 2010
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.
1
Latest Aug 10, 1993
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Saturn SC1, most frequently naming the interior & seats, seat belts and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Interior & seats225.0%
  • Seat belts225.0%
  • Suspension225.0%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Steering112.5%

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

1 campaign 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
93V132000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Aug 10, 1993
352,833 units potentially affected
The defect: THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
The risk: SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Driver assistance
Filed Feb 17, 2010

ENGINE ACCELERATES WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR OR NOT, WHETHER PRESSING ON THE BRAKE OR NOT. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311599
Incident
Feb 17, 2010
Mileage
134,635 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 20, 1999

FRONT PASSENGER SEATBACK HAD FALLEN BACKWARDS AFTER BEING SAT ON. HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. WOULD REPAIR IF PAID FOR FIRST. *AK

NHTSA ID
851307
Incident
Sep 28, 1998
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 16, 1998
Crash reported1 injury reported

THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO MY PREVIOUS REPORT FILED 12-14-98. I HAVE INCLUDED THE V.I.N. AND ADDRESS OF THE DEALER. THE REAR SPINDLE SNAPPED WITH NO IMPACT. THE CAR FLIPPED AND IS TOTALLED.

NHTSA ID
701401
Incident
Nov 6, 1998
Suspension
Filed Dec 14, 1998
Crash reported

BROKEN REAR SPINDLE

NHTSA ID
701343
Incident
Nov 6, 1998
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 13, 1997

DRIVER'S FRONT SEATBACK FRAME BROKE AT WELD. ALSO, PASSENGER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS/HESITATES TO RELEASE OR ENGAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
517656
Seat belts
Filed Apr 8, 1997

THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
810784

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn SC1 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001252049.7
2000820—
1999210046.5
1998390038.7
1997613051.8
1996390040.0
1995591355.1
1994821455.2
1993582259.9
1992151149.6
1991Viewing610—

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.