1997 Saturn SC1 Problems

DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACKWARDS WITHOUT USING THE "ADJUSTMENT LEVER". SOMETIMES JUST BACKING UP AT 3-5 MPH, ALSO AT HWY SPEEDS. ALSO SLIDES BACKWARDS AFTER BEING ADJUSTED BY THE DRIVER-ALWAYS ADJUSTED WHILE PARKED, NEVER MOVING. ALSO, SEATBELTS WORKED FINE UNTIL RECALL NOTICE (99-2000/"REPAIRED" BY JIM BUTLER SOUTH COUNTY SATURN, ST LOUIS, MO) THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT, MUST FEED BELTS BACK INTO SLOT; WILL NOT RETURN TO DEALER, AS TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES W/THIS DEALERSHIP. APPROX 2002-03 (APPROX 80-100K MILES) STARTED USING 2 QTS OIL PER MONTH, NOW USES 3+ QTS PER MONTH MINIMUM. APPROX 2009 STARTED USING ENIGINE COOLANT EXCESSIVELY; MUST CARRY EXTRA QTS OIL, 1 GALLON ENGINE COOLANT IN CAR AT ALL TIMES, CHECKING AT EVERY FUEL FILL-UP OR BEFORE LEAVING HOME. BATTERY DEAD OCT 2011, REPLACED-STILL LOSES CHARGE OVERNIGHT;CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, FUSES, IGNITION-COULD REMOVE KEY WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING WHILE STOPPED. STILL SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AS CANNOT FIGURE OUT ELEC PROBLEM. 206K MI. PURCH 10-96 WITH 13 MI ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WHEN THE FRONT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE SEAT BELT IS UNABLE TO BE USED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A RECALL REPAIR HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN 1997. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO REPAIR WAS MADE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PAPERWORK SHOWING THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE 10% OFF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN UPDATED 03/23/09. *JB

DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACKWARDS WITHOUT USING THE "ADJUSTMENT LEVER". SOMETIMES JUST BACKING UP AT 3-5 MPH, ALSO AT HWY SPEEDS. ALSO SLIDES BACKWARDS AFTER BEING ADJUSTED BY THE DRIVER-ALWAYS ADJUSTED WHILE PARKED, NEVER MOVING. ALSO, SEATBELTS WORKED FINE UNTIL RECALL NOTICE (99-2000/"REPAIRED" BY JIM BUTLER SOUTH COUNTY SATURN, ST LOUIS, MO) THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT, MUST FEED BELTS BACK INTO SLOT; WILL NOT RETURN TO DEALER, AS TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES W/THIS DEALERSHIP. APPROX 2002-03 (APPROX 80-100K MILES) STARTED USING 2 QTS OIL PER MONTH, NOW USES 3+ QTS PER MONTH MINIMUM. APPROX 2009 STARTED USING ENIGINE COOLANT EXCESSIVELY; MUST CARRY EXTRA QTS OIL, 1 GALLON ENGINE COOLANT IN CAR AT ALL TIMES, CHECKING AT EVERY FUEL FILL-UP OR BEFORE LEAVING HOME. BATTERY DEAD OCT 2011, REPLACED-STILL LOSES CHARGE OVERNIGHT;CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, FUSES, IGNITION-COULD REMOVE KEY WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING WHILE STOPPED. STILL SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AS CANNOT FIGURE OUT ELEC PROBLEM. 206K MI. PURCH 10-96 WITH 13 MI ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE KEY RELEASED; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE DRIVER MANEUVERED THE KEY IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. SUDDENLY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE DESIGNATED OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DISCOVERED RECALL NUMBER 97-C02 (IGNITION CYLINDER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 216,000.

WE BOUGHT A USED SATURN 2 YEARS AGO FROM A DEALERSHIP. SINCE THE DAY WE GOT THE CAR HOME WE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MAINLY WHEN MY WIFE WOULD DRIVE IT TO GET OUR SMALL CHILDREN TO DAY CARE, AND SHE WOULD GO TO WORK. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WARMED UP IT GAVE HER A HARD TIME GETTING IT INTO GEAR. COUNTLESS TIMES OF SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND THE OPPOSITE TRAFFIC GOT GREEN AND STARTED HEADING TOWARD HER HONKING, SHE WAS FRANTICLY TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR. THEN SHE WOULD HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE TO INJURE HER HAND TO SLAM IT INTO GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE WAY AS MY LITTLE ONES WERE CRYING IN THE BACK AND SHE WAS SHAKING AND UPSET. WE HAVE HAD VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOPS COUNTLESS OF TIMES COMPLAINING OF IT, BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS STILL DRIVABLE, ACCORDING TO THEM. NOW AS MY WIFE DROVE OUR KIDS TO THE BABY SITTERS SO SHE COULD GO TO WORK THE TRANSMISSION SNAPPED. ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO FOUND OUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP. THEY SAID WE SHOULD HAVE FILED A REPORT OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT EXPIRED,. WE EXPLAINED THAT WE DID SO MANY TIMES AND THEY WERE DENIED. WE HAVE PROOF FROM DEALERSHIPS, BUT THEY REFUSED TO LET US FAX THE PROOF. *AK

1997 SATURN SC2 EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN THE SPIDER PIN BROKE. *MR WHILE ON AN EXPRESSWAY AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE EMITTED STEAM AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE GEAR. UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS FLUID AND PIECES OF BROKEN METAL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPIDER PIN HAD BROKEN AND HAD COME FROM THE CARRIER JAMMING ITSELF AND CAUSED IMMEDIATE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SC *JB

DROVE THE CAR 2 WEEKS, DEFECTIVE CRANK SHAFT, BANGING IN THE MOTOR, I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR. WANT SATURN TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART. *JB

1997 SATURN SC2 EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN THE SPIDER PIN BROKE. *MR WHILE ON AN EXPRESSWAY AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE EMITTED STEAM AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE GEAR. UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS FLUID AND PIECES OF BROKEN METAL. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPIDER PIN HAD BROKEN AND HAD COME FROM THE CARRIER JAMMING ITSELF AND CAUSED IMMEDIATE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *SC *JB

PARKING BRAKE BUTTON MOST OF THE TIME FAILS TO ENGAGE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE , AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE VEERING INTO ANOTHER LANE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 SATURN VIN[XXX]. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A LARGE UTILITY VAN STRUCK MY VEHICLE. THE IMPACT SPEED WOULD BE AROUND 30MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED - SHIFTING ME BACK TO THE REAR SEAT AND THEN I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED TO CONSTRICT MY BODY TO THE CAR SEAT. THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED HEAD, NECK, AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER AND MID BACK AREA. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

START CAR UP AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAY ON. AIRBAG MODULE WAS THE DEFECT.

CONSUMER STATES THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YD

THE TRANSMISSION WAS VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS, VERY HARD TO GET INTO 1ST GEAR FROM A COMPLETE STOP ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE SUNROOF HAS STUCK OPEN TO ABOUT 10 TIMES, IT HAS NEVER SEATED INTO THE ROOF CORRECTLY THE BACK STICKS UP ABOUT A 1/4 INCH IN THE REAR OF THE SUNROOF EXPECIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CORNER THEY SAID THEY COMPLETLY REPLACED IT BUT IT STILL WILL NOT SEAT COMPLETLY. THE BRAKES MAKE A WHINING SOUND ALL THE TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 19560R15 )

CONSUMER STATES THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *YD

POWER STEERING FLUID PUMP LEAKED, CAUSING GENERATOR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE DEALER PAID HIM BACK $150. PCV VALVE REPLACED. *SLC

DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACKWARDS WITHOUT USING THE "ADJUSTMENT LEVER". SOMETIMES JUST BACKING UP AT 3-5 MPH, ALSO AT HWY SPEEDS. ALSO SLIDES BACKWARDS AFTER BEING ADJUSTED BY THE DRIVER-ALWAYS ADJUSTED WHILE PARKED, NEVER MOVING. ALSO, SEATBELTS WORKED FINE UNTIL RECALL NOTICE (99-2000/"REPAIRED" BY JIM BUTLER SOUTH COUNTY SATURN, ST LOUIS, MO) THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT, MUST FEED BELTS BACK INTO SLOT; WILL NOT RETURN TO DEALER, AS TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES W/THIS DEALERSHIP. APPROX 2002-03 (APPROX 80-100K MILES) STARTED USING 2 QTS OIL PER MONTH, NOW USES 3+ QTS PER MONTH MINIMUM. APPROX 2009 STARTED USING ENIGINE COOLANT EXCESSIVELY; MUST CARRY EXTRA QTS OIL, 1 GALLON ENGINE COOLANT IN CAR AT ALL TIMES, CHECKING AT EVERY FUEL FILL-UP OR BEFORE LEAVING HOME. BATTERY DEAD OCT 2011, REPLACED-STILL LOSES CHARGE OVERNIGHT;CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, FUSES, IGNITION-COULD REMOVE KEY WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING WHILE STOPPED. STILL SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AS CANNOT FIGURE OUT ELEC PROBLEM. 206K MI. PURCH 10-96 WITH 13 MI ON IT. *TR

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 SATURN VIN[XXX]. I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WHEN A LARGE UTILITY VAN STRUCK MY VEHICLE. THE IMPACT SPEED WOULD BE AROUND 30MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER SEAT FAILED - SHIFTING ME BACK TO THE REAR SEAT AND THEN I WAS JOLTED FORWARD AND HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED TO CONSTRICT MY BODY TO THE CAR SEAT. THE FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED HEAD, NECK, AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER AND MID BACK AREA. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

VEHICLE HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT, ENGINE IS DEAD. WILL COST OVER $3000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, MANY PROBLEMS, AND MOST WERE NEVER FIXED. I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER 2000 ABOUT GOING TO ARBITRATION RE: HAVING VEHICLE REPLACED, AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE AREA REPRESENTATIVELY NAME AND NUMBER. I GOT IT ANYWAY AND FILED A COMPLAINT. DEALER PROMISED TO RECTIFY ALL ISSUES, AND REPAIRED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, WHICH HAVE ALL RECURRED (AND WORSE) SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. PROBLEMS HAVE INCLUDED ELECTRICAL, FUSE MALFUNCTIONS (WINDOWS, LOCKS, CD PLAYER, SUNROOF), AIR CONDITIONER LEAKAGE, ENGINE STALLING, ENGINE OVERHEATING, TRUNK LEAKING, ETC. NOW ENGINE HAS COMPLETELY FROZEN. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR, WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AGAIN. *JB

PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT FUNCTION AND REPLACEMENT RUBBER MOULDING ON DOOR MELTS ALSO. *AK

DIFFERENTIAL PIN IN TRANSMISSION PUT A HOLE THROUGH TRANSMISSION CASE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

SPEEDOMETER INDICATES FALSE SPEED DUE TO POOR DESIGN.

VEHICLE HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT, ENGINE IS DEAD. WILL COST OVER $3000 FOR NEW ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR NUMEROUS REPAIRS, MANY PROBLEMS, AND MOST WERE NEVER FIXED. I APPROACHED THE DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER 2000 ABOUT GOING TO ARBITRATION RE: HAVING VEHICLE REPLACED, AND THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE AREA REPRESENTATIVELY NAME AND NUMBER. I GOT IT ANYWAY AND FILED A COMPLAINT. DEALER PROMISED TO RECTIFY ALL ISSUES, AND REPAIRED SEVERAL PROBLEMS, WHICH HAVE ALL RECURRED (AND WORSE) SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. PROBLEMS HAVE INCLUDED ELECTRICAL, FUSE MALFUNCTIONS (WINDOWS, LOCKS, CD PLAYER, SUNROOF), AIR CONDITIONER LEAKAGE, ENGINE STALLING, ENGINE OVERHEATING, TRUNK LEAKING, ETC. NOW ENGINE HAS COMPLETELY FROZEN. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS CAR, WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AGAIN. *JB

A/C COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH FAILED. NLM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE VEHICLE HAS SEARS GUARSDMAN TIRES. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES HAD A COMPLETE BLOW OUT. A THIRD TIRE HAS A BULGE THAT CAN BE PUSHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB

NOT FOR SURE IF ORIGINAL TIRES. APPROXIMATELY 6/32" OF TREAD ON THE TIRES. THEY ARE RATED TRACTION "A". ON WET ROADS THEY ARE EXTREMELY SLIPPERY. THIS COMPLAINT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE AFTER THE STREET HAS WASHED OFF THE TOP OIL. WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A "MILD" STOP, THE TIRES WILL BREAK LOOSE AND SLIDE. ON CURVES, THE REAR WHEELS WILL SLIDE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CYNTRIPHICAL FORCE. UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP SIGN IN WET WEATHER, THE FRONT WHEELS WILL SPIN WITH OUT MUCH ACCELLERATION. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN PRESENT WITH THE CAR SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED USED IN 1998. IT APPEARES THE "A" RATING FOR TRACTION IN WET WEATHER, HAS BEEN MISREPRESENTED. I HAVE THREE OTHER VEHICLES IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHICH I TYPICALLY USE "B" RATED TRACTION TIRES OF ANOTHER BRAND, AND NEVER HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THEM, BUT WILL WAIT UNTILL COMMENTS FROM THIS COMPLAINT.*AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/60R15 )

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING A FRONTAL ACCIDENT WITH THE BARRIERS IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, FAILING TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN THIS ACCIDENT. *AK

UPON INITIAL START UP, AT RELEASE OF FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLED OUT INTERMITTENTLY, ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX. 35MPH AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW/STOP VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, RENDERING INOPERATIVE POWER ASSIST, DEALERS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE FAILURE. *AK