RoadVitals

1994 Saturn SC1 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.
82
Latest Sep 24, 2007
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.
11
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 Jan 23, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 82 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Saturn SC1. 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 1–25 of 82 · page 1 of 4

Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 24, 2007

1994 SATURN SC2 WITH RPM SURGING, TRANSMISSION REPAIR. CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN THE RPM'S SURGED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CUSTOMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE, WHICH MADE ALL MOUNTS AND BRACKETS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY FIRST GEAR WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204868
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 4, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN 1994 SATURN SC2 WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. DAUGHTER WAS AIR LIFTED TO UNITED METHODIST HOSPITAL DES MOINES IA. WITH BRAIN CONCUSSION, FACIAL CUTS WHICH REQUIRED PLASTIC SURGERY THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT, PARTLY COLLAPSED LUNG, INJURED SPLEEN, BROKEN LEG. WILL REQUIRE MORE PLASTIC SURGERY. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE CAR. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WHEEL DEFINITELY POSSIBLE FAILURE WITH THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10135310
Incident
Aug 28, 2005
Mileage
117,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 3, 2005

PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. IT NO LONGER MOVES FOWARD TO ALLOW EASY ACCESS INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS RESULTS IN PASSENGER HAVING TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE SHOULD BELT AND REMEMBER TO RE-ENGAGE IT FOR SAFETY. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN A BASIC SAFETY SYSTEM FAILS. I WOULD LIKE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
10119662
Incident
Apr 29, 2005
Mileage
104,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 26, 2004

I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, WHICH SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE ANY ONE DIES. THE SPRING THAT RETURNS THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO THE "SHUT" POSITION BREAKS. THEN HANDLE DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS' CLOSED POSITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT LOCK. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND THE OUTSIDE HANDLE IS VIBRATED OR LIFTED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR, WHICH COULD BE FATAL IN AN ACCIDENT, FIRE OR CRASH. *NM

NHTSA ID
10073206
Incident
May 26, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Nov 18, 2003

1994 SC2 SATURN. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE TWO PARTS, AND THE UPPER PART MOVES WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. THE LAP BELT IS SEPARATE AND YOU LATCH THIS MANUALLY. THE PROBLEM IS THE UPPER PART HAS STOPPED WORKING IT WILL NOT MOVE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047112
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Mileage
96,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2003

ENGINE MOTOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022219
Seat belts
Filed Jun 3, 2003

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL RETRACT AND TIGHTEN SEVERELY. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING TRAPPED IN THE SEAT, AND SUSTAINING BRUISES.*AK

NHTSA ID
10022217
Incident
Feb 20, 2003
Mileage
125 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 15, 2002

RECLINER MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MECHANISM DOES NOT HOLD IN PLACE, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING, SEAT WILL FALL BACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8013833
Incident
Feb 2, 2002
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 24, 2002

DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RECLINE BY ITSELF WHILE DRVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE SEAT GEAR TEETH ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY. *JG

NHTSA ID
8012474
Incident
Jun 21, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2002

TREAD WAS GOOD BUT CAME OFF TIRE. RIPPED MY FRONT FENDER AND PART OF MY FRONT BUMPER. *AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)

NHTSA ID
756528
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Oct 30, 2001

WHEN CONSUMER TRAVELING AT A SUDDEN STOP SEATBELT OPENS UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
898531
Incident
Mar 1, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 29, 2001

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS A DEFECT, WHEN DRIVER BARELY LEANS OR PRESSES IT, THE SEATS RECLINED BACKWARDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
898390
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 4, 2001

BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA, DOT EMCBCHJ208, P195/60R15. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON SATURN, SL, 1994, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SOUND, AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF.*AK (BRIDGESTONE TIRES.) CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON TIRE, THE TREAD CAME OFF TEARING A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT FENDER.*JB

NHTSA ID
895697
Incident
Aug 25, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 25, 2001

TRACK WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT IN 1999. SAME DEFECT OCCURRED AGAIN IN 2001- I WAS MADE TO PAY FOR IT SATURN CITING THAT A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THIS RECALL HAD EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
751114
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 24, 2001

WHEN PUTTING WAIT ON SEATBACK IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY. CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL ON 99 V 045 000. DEALER SAID THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
886595
Incident
Apr 24, 2000
Electrical
Filed Feb 23, 2001
Fire reported

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A GATED ENTRANCE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH WHEN STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SMOKE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WHICH CAUSED A FIRE AND DESTROYED MOST OF COMPONENTS WITHIN COLUMN. INSURANCE COMPANY (STANLEY INSURANCE) WAS SENDING AN ADJUSTER TO EXAMINE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
881352
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Feb 10, 2001

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM FAILS TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AS DESIGNED. *MJS

NHTSA ID
559630
Engine
Filed Jan 24, 2001

ENGINE THREW A ROD. IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ENGINE FAILURE WAS INSTANTANEOUS, ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, GOING AT REGULAR SPEED OF OTHER VEHICLES.*AK

NHTSA ID
739885
Incident
Nov 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 5, 2000
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN IN DOWNTOWN DAYTON, OH WHEN WHEEL HUB/AXLE BROKE, CAUSING LEFT REAR WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO A STREET SIGN. IT WAS A COLD CLOUDY DAY, BUT IT WAS LIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO MOISTURE. THE ROAD WAS BUMPY AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A WHEEL BREAKING OFF. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO SATURN, WHO BROUGHT ENGINEERS HERE TO HASTILY DETERMINE (WITHOUT EVEN SPEAKING WITH ME) THAT I DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE CURB, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK OFF (WHICH COULDN'T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH). *AK

NHTSA ID
737325
Incident
Feb 8, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 25, 2000

WHEN HIT FROM REAR IN A LOW IMPACT CRASH SEAT TRACKS AND ANCHOR RECLINEING MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
871369
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 25, 2000
Crash reported

1994 SATURN SC-2 WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT APPROX 40 MPH WHILE SATURN WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINERS FAILED TO SECURE OCCUPANTS. SEATS RECLINED TO THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION UPON IMPACT. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF CLEARWATER THAT THE RECLINING MECHANISMS FAILED. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR STATING MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FAILED SEAT RECLINER RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
732405
Incident
Aug 29, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 24, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
732384
Incident
Jun 4, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 18, 2000

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE IT BEGAN TO STALL WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO MOVE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. AFTER VEHICLE STALLED, IT WOULD JUMP FORWARD ON ITS ON IMPACT, AND THEN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND HELD FOR A WEEK. BUT PROBLEM HAS STARTED TO OCCUR. *AK

NHTSA ID
868153
Incident
Jun 9, 2000
Transmission
Filed Aug 18, 2000

TRANSMISSIONS DOES NOT GO INT0 REVERSE WHEN ENGAGED. CAR STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GIVES A HARD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN FINALLY ENGAGED

NHTSA ID
728385
Incident
Jun 20, 2000
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2000

I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS "ON" AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS? MY VEHICHLE HAS FAILED INSPECTION SOLELY DUE TO THE INDICATOR LIGHT. WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU GIVE ME ON A RESONABLE COST FOR REPAIR? COULD THIS BE A DEFECT? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? I HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO INSTALL AN ON/OFF SWITCH, HOWEVER I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!! LISA WILLAN. *AK

NHTSA ID
726320
Incident
Jul 2, 2000

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.

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