RoadVitals

1992 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.
15
Latest Nov 26, 2007
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.
1
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
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Saturn SC1, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Seat belts635.3%
  • Engine317.6%
  • Interior & seats211.8%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Airbags15.9%

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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEATBACK FAILURE

Opened Feb 5, 1993
Closed Jun 8, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEATS

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 15
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 2007

STARTED ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DIED! TIMING CHAIN BROKEN. SECOND TIME SINCE OWNED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209905
Incident
Nov 26, 2007
Mileage
16,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 7, 2001

HEADLINER FELL DOWN INTO MY FACE WHILE DRIVING...ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
750016
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 19, 2001
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported1 death reported

AIRBAG FAILED ON FRONT IMPACT, FIRE STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT,DRIVER TRAPPED, TOTALED CAR, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN SECONDS. VERY LITTLE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ID
748746
Incident
Jun 18, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Mar 28, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
783680
Seat belts
Filed Jun 1, 1999

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE DUE TO BROKEN TRACK MOTOR. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
838689
Incident
May 30, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed May 27, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS BROKE WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END IMPACT. DRIVE RSUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
838515
Incident
Apr 1, 1999
Engine
Filed May 17, 1999

SAMES VALVES BAD AGAIN AT 63000

NHTSA ID
706571
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 4, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
706227
Incident
Oct 10, 1997

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
1992Viewing151149.6
1991610—

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.