1998 Saturn SC1 Problems

DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND TODAY IT WAS MAKING A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION AS IF A FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGING. I'VE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & A COUPLE OF SENSORS. PLUS, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE NEVER RETRACTED CORRECTLY AND FREQUENTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. *TR

THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED OF 67. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WASN'T EVEN AT THE 1/2 WAY POINT, BUT WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS HOT, & THE OIL DID NOT REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. THE ONLY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS THE LOW FUEL. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS RATTLED, & THE GLOVE BOX HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT MOST OF THE TIME, CAUSING THE STRAP & BUCKLE TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACK WHEN ACCELERATING & FORWARD WHEN BRAKING (SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE EITHER). NOW IT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON 1 OCCASSION FOR THAT, AT LEAST 2 TIMES FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHT, 2 TIMES FOR SENSORS, & MORE. TO END THIS, I AM DISTRAUGHT AT THE MOMENT, IT APPEARS AS IF MY CAR HAS BATHED IN OIL FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE, ALL THE WAY DOWN & ALL OVER THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THE PLUG GASKET WAS MANGLED, CHANGED, & STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO A JOB INTERVIEW THIS WEEK!

DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND TODAY IT WAS MAKING A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION AS IF A FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGING. I'VE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & A COUPLE OF SENSORS. PLUS, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE NEVER RETRACTED CORRECTLY AND FREQUENTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. *TR

THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED OF 67. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WASN'T EVEN AT THE 1/2 WAY POINT, BUT WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS HOT, & THE OIL DID NOT REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. THE ONLY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS THE LOW FUEL. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS RATTLED, & THE GLOVE BOX HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT MOST OF THE TIME, CAUSING THE STRAP & BUCKLE TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACK WHEN ACCELERATING & FORWARD WHEN BRAKING (SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE EITHER). NOW IT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON 1 OCCASSION FOR THAT, AT LEAST 2 TIMES FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHT, 2 TIMES FOR SENSORS, & MORE. TO END THIS, I AM DISTRAUGHT AT THE MOMENT, IT APPEARS AS IF MY CAR HAS BATHED IN OIL FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE, ALL THE WAY DOWN & ALL OVER THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THE PLUG GASKET WAS MANGLED, CHANGED, & STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO A JOB INTERVIEW THIS WEEK!

SUN ROOF RAILS, AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE CLIPS THAT THE SUNROOF RUNS ALONG TO RAISE AND RETURN THE WINDOW TO ITS CLOSED POSITION, ARE DEFECTIVE. THE COMPANY'S ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO SELL YOU A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT KIT IN WHICH MOST OF THE PARTS ARE NOT EVEN NECESSARY. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CLIPS, THAT THERE ARE ACTUALLY COMPANY'S THAT SELL THE PARTS AROUND THIS PROBLEM THAT SELL NON DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

1998 SATURN SC2- CAM COVER LEAK- 12/13/02 SAME CAM COVER LEAK 10/26/04 PAID FOR IT TWICE... $98.86 AND 76.98. ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE- ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED- SUN ROOF MOTOR FAILED- WANTS $925.00 TO FIX- HORN HAD INTERNAL SHORT 10/26/04 $112.11, WEATHERSTRIPPING REPLACE ON DRIVERS DOOR 5/7/01, BELT TENSIONER REPLACE 12/13/02, IDLER PULLEY REPLACED 10/26/04. EXHAUST REPLACED 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *AK

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00. *TR

THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED OF 67. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WASN'T EVEN AT THE 1/2 WAY POINT, BUT WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS HOT, & THE OIL DID NOT REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. THE ONLY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS THE LOW FUEL. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS RATTLED, & THE GLOVE BOX HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT MOST OF THE TIME, CAUSING THE STRAP & BUCKLE TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACK WHEN ACCELERATING & FORWARD WHEN BRAKING (SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE EITHER). NOW IT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON 1 OCCASSION FOR THAT, AT LEAST 2 TIMES FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHT, 2 TIMES FOR SENSORS, & MORE. TO END THIS, I AM DISTRAUGHT AT THE MOMENT, IT APPEARS AS IF MY CAR HAS BATHED IN OIL FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE, ALL THE WAY DOWN & ALL OVER THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THE PLUG GASKET WAS MANGLED, CHANGED, & STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO A JOB INTERVIEW THIS WEEK!

DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND TODAY IT WAS MAKING A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION AS IF A FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGING. I'VE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & A COUPLE OF SENSORS. PLUS, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE NEVER RETRACTED CORRECTLY AND FREQUENTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. *TR

1998 SATURN SC2- CAM COVER LEAK- 12/13/02 SAME CAM COVER LEAK 10/26/04 PAID FOR IT TWICE... $98.86 AND 76.98. ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE- ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED- SUN ROOF MOTOR FAILED- WANTS $925.00 TO FIX- HORN HAD INTERNAL SHORT 10/26/04 $112.11, WEATHERSTRIPPING REPLACE ON DRIVERS DOOR 5/7/01, BELT TENSIONER REPLACE 12/13/02, IDLER PULLEY REPLACED 10/26/04. EXHAUST REPLACED 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE BRAKING CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONSUMER SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE, OVERCOMPENSATED AND TURN 180 DEGREES. IN DOING SO, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLAMMED AGAINST A GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED HEAD ON INTO TRAFFIC AN UP A STONE EMBANKMENT AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO LOSING CONTROL THE CONSUMER FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AS SHE WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS SWITCHED TO ON BUT IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV AS IF IN HIGH GEAR. IN MAY OF 2000 THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER WAS 17 WEEKS PREGNANT AT TIME OF THE ACCIDENT*AK *BF *NM

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1998 SATURN SC2, I BOUGHT IT IN MAY OF 2001, IN AUGUST OF 2001 IT BEGAN TO START ACTING UP. WHEN I AM IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR WITH THE CLUTCH ALL THE WAY IN, AND ALSO WHEN I AM JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ENGINE WILL REV FOR NO REASON. I NOTICE THAT MY ENGINE IS REVVING HIGHER THAN USUAL. WHEN I STOP IT WILL GO FROM 1000 RPMS TO 3000 RPMS AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL I CUT OFF, AND WILL SOMETIMES JUST DROP BACK DOWN TO 1000 ALL WHILE I AM JUST SITTING THERE. I HAVE GONE TO THE SATURN DEALER A FEW TIMES AND TO 2 OTHER GARAGES IN MY AREAS. THE HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND FOR ME JUST TO CUT OFF THE ENGINE IF IT REVS TO HIGH. THAT IS THE ONLY ADVISE THAT I WAS GIVEN. I EMAILED THE SATURN HEADQUARTERS AND THEY ADVISED ME TO DO THE SAME THING. I KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL ACTIVITY OF A CAR. I AM CURRENTLY A COLLEGE STUDENT WORKING PART TIME AND I CAN NOT TAKE A CHANCE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY CAR OR THAT THE CAR DIES ALL TOGETHER. *AK

THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED X2 RESULTING IN MY REAR ENDING A JEEP. THE REPAIR COST TO THE CAR AND TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER COST ME OVER $1500 OUT OF POCKET . THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED IN LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. THE 2ND TIME IT WENT OUT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND FORTUNATELY WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AND USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO GET IT TO THE SHOP. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS SATURN IS SUPPOSED TO BE A RELIABLE CAR. TO HAVE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN A CAR WITH APPROX 26K ON IT IS JUST NOT AN OPTIONL.

I'M FROM CANADA. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

CAR MAKES MANY RATTLING AND BUZZING NOISES WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. NOISES ARE HEARD IN THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, DOOR PANELS, AND ALSO THE UPPER BACK SEAT AREAS. NOISES ARE LOUD AT CERTAIN RPM CRUISING SPEEDS. NOISES CANNOT BE REMEDIED. I MUST TURN THE MUSIC ON IN VEHICLE TO AVOID THE ANNOYANCE.*AK

FRONT WHEELS MISALIGNED. YH

THIS TIRE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65 M.P.H. FOR NO APPARENT REASON ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF HIGHWAY. I HAVE PERSONALLY CHECKED THE INFLATION AND WEAR PATTERNS ON THESE TIRES WEEKLY, INFLATING THEM PER SATURN'S RECOMENDED P.S.I (POSTED IN THE DOOR JAM). THESE TIRES ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE WEAR-BAR INDICATORS, AND SHOW ABSOLUTELY NO IRREGULAR WEAR DUE TO MISALIGNMENT ETC. ETC. THE SIDEWALLS COMPLETELY (AND INSTANTLY) SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD, IT IS A CLEAN SEPARATION SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH IS REGULARLY SEEN ON TRACTOR-TRAILER RETREAD FAILURES. I STILL POSESS THE FAILED TIRE, AND SHOWED IT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER. HE WAS REASONABLE, AND OFFERED ME A DISCOUNT RATE ON REPLACEMENT TIRES. THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS FAILURE, AND IF IT WOUD HAVE OCCURRED ON A CURVE IN THE ROAD A POTENTIALLY DAMAGING ACCIDENT MAY HAVE TAKEN PLACE. I BELIEVE THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THEREFORE AM REPORTING IT TO YOU IN THE HOPE THAT IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE A WARNING MAY BE POSTED. A SATURN COUPE HAS A VERY LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY, AND THIS IS THE ONLY REASON MY CAR DID NOT LOSE CONTROL (OR OVERTURN). IF YOU WISH TO OBTAIN A PICTURE OF THIS TIRE PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT THE GIVEN ADDRESS ([email protected]). I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SCAN IN A PICTURE. IF I AM NOT CONTACTED BY OCTOBER-5-01 I WILL ASSUME THAT IT IS O.K. FOR ME TO DISPOSE OF THE TIRE CARCASS. THANK YOU. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2V9VFB217 TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)

TREAD SEPARATION. TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF TIRE. STEAL BELT IS SHOWING AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE TIRE. CAUSED BODY DAMAGE TO CAR. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE , BUT I HAVE TWO SETS OF NUMBERS FOR THE TIRES. ONE SET IS BM01854-1 THE OTHER IS P195/60R15 87H MTS. VERY UNSAFE TIRES.

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY AND THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACEMENT BE COMPENSATED, THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE REPLACEMENT OTHER THAN A SATURN DEALERSHIP OR THE WARRANTY WOULD NOT BE WARRANTED, CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR WARRANTY REPAIR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *MJS

DRIVER DOOR WINDOW RUBBER FAILED. YH

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO USE. MJS

WHILE MY GRANDSON WAS DRIVING MY 1998 SATURN SC2, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS' SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE BRAKING CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONSUMER SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE, OVERCOMPENSATED AND TURN 180 DEGREES. IN DOING SO, THE PASSENGER SIDE SLAMMED AGAINST A GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS FORCED HEAD ON INTO TRAFFIC AN UP A STONE EMBANKMENT AT 50 MPH. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. PRIOR TO LOSING CONTROL THE CONSUMER FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AS SHE WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS SWITCHED TO ON BUT IT WAS NOT ENGAGED. EVEN AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REV AS IF IN HIGH GEAR. IN MAY OF 2000 THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER WAS 17 WEEKS PREGNANT AT TIME OF THE ACCIDENT*AK *BF *NM

SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER FAILED. NLM

VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AT 65 MPH RESULTING IN NO BRAKES, NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING.