RoadVitals

2000 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.
8
Latest Nov 10, 2008
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.
2
Latest Oct 12, 2000
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.
3
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Saturn SC1, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Airbags222.2%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Interior & seats222.2%
  • Seat belts111.1%
  • Steering111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%

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

2 campaigns 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
00V309000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Oct 12, 2000
6,092 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
The risk: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00081View on NHTSA.gov
00V310000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

Oct 12, 2000
65,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.
The risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
The remedy: SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 00082View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 10, 2008

IGNITION STUCK AND CANNOT START OR STEER CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248407
Incident
Nov 8, 2008
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 1, 2008
Crash reported

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE WHEELS JERKED TO THE LEFT, SENDING HER INTO A PARKED CAR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNRESPONSIVE TO STEERING. UPON EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT LEFT SPINDLE HAD SNAPPED AND ALSO IN THE PROCESS HAD BROKEN THE LEFT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN NO UNDUE STRESS ON THE SPINDLE; IT JUST FAILED OUTRIGHT WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AT A SHOP 1 WEEK PRIOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10216710
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Mileage
74,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 1, 2006
Crash reported

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WITH THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT I FELT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVERS SEAT WENT INTO THE FULL RECLINE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT. I CONSIDER BOTH OF THESE FAILURES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146653
Incident
Dec 31, 2005
Mileage
46,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 2, 2005

IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE FROZE UP! UNABLE TO STEER, SHIFT GEARS OR RESTART ENGINE! UNABLE TO TOW CAR TO SATURN DEALER BECAUSE OF LOCATION. TRIED ALL RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTHING WORKS! LOCKSMITH INFORMS ME THIS IS SPECIFIC TO SATURN! ONLY POSSIBILITY THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DRILL OUT TUMBLER IN IGNITION LOCK! SATURN REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY PROCEDURES! SATURN HQ CAN NOT BE CONTACTED BY CUSTOMER!! CAR HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES & WARRANTY NO LONGER COVERS THIS! SEARCHED INTERNET CONSUMERS AFFAIRS & FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME THING! OTHERS HAD DAMAGE & INJURIES & EVEN HAD CARS TOTALED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING!!! I WAS INFORMED BY PHONE FROM SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THIS WAS COMPANY "PRIVILEGED INFORMATION" & SATURN REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH MY REQUEST!! OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!! THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED CASE!!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN!! THANK GOD MY CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME--THE OTHERS WERE NOT SO LUCKY! ONE GOT WRAPPED AROUND A TELEPHONE POLE, WHILE OTHERS LOST STEERING & ALSO "FROZE UP" JUST LIKE MINE! I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL WHICH I WAS NOT AWARE OF IN OCT. 2000 THAT PERTAINED TO THIS--IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LOCK OUT CABLE TO THE TRANSAXLE. THIS MAY BE INTERRELATED??? THE KEY SLIDES IN/OUT OF KEY WAY WITH NO FRICTION! SEEMS LIKE TUMBLERS ARE NOT CATCHING. KEY WAY HAS BEEN LOSE & REPORTED TO SATURN DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT NO ACTION TAKEN!!! THIS HAS BEEN OVER 3 YEARS AGO!!! ONLY REPLY FROM SATURN WAS "RETURN TO DEALER! YEA!! HOW???? ALSO WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO DO THAT??? I CAN NOT EVEN GET IT OUT OF MY GARAGE TO HAUL IT DOWN THERE ON A CAR CADDY!!! AND WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS THAT WRECKED THEIR CAR BECAUSE OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE DRIVING????? *JB

NHTSA ID
10131204
Incident
Jul 28, 2005
Mileage
32,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 23, 2003

WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED, "FROM A FAST STOP, ECT..." AND PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT FROM THE BODY. THE BELT IS FED FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR THOUGH A LOOP ATTACHED ON THE HEAD RESTRAINT, WHEN MINIMAL PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT IT TWIST'S THE HEAD RESTRAINT TO A BREAKING/ BENDING POSITION AND ALLOWS WAY TOO MUCH SLACK IN THE BELT. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN EVEN A MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE THE PERSON OCCUPYING THAT SEAT TO STRIKE THE INTERIOR. OR IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE PERSON NOT BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED WITH POSSIBLE AIRBAG INJURY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10023611
Incident
Jun 23, 2003
Mileage
57,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 22, 2002

THERE IS A METALLIC SOUND; A MECHANIC SAID THAT THE DRIVER- SIDE FRONT STRUT MAY BE FAULTY; THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT;;MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKE PADS ARE OK; THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AND WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55MPH; ANOTHER MECHANIC WILL CHECK THE ROTORS AND FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE IS THAT IT SPINS WOBBLY AND THE SURFACE OF THE TIRE IS UNEVEN. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE STRUT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE TIRE DAMAGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
761042
Airbags
Filed Apr 20, 2000
Crash reported3 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ANTELOPE RAN OUT IN FRONT OF US. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP AIRBORN AND DROVE OFF A 30 FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE CAR LANDED NOSE FIRST ON THE GROUND. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THANKFULLY, EVERYONE ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED, THIS ALL AFTER ONLY OWNING THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS. I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR LOW IMPACT IN FRONTAL CRASHES. IF HITTING SOLID GROUND NOSE FIRST AT 65 MPH ISN'T LOW IMPACT, I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT IS! *AK

NHTSA ID
721697
Incident
Apr 7, 2000
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 29, 2000

NONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE APPLIED TO MY COMPLAINT ON THE SC2. MY MAIN SAFETY CHILD ISSUE WITH THE 3RD DOOR IS THAT IT IS A TRAP WHEN SOMEONE ELSE PARKS NEXT TO YOU AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR! I SPECIFICALLY TOOK MY CHILD TO PURCHASE THE SL2 AND HAD IT DEMOED IN AN OPEN AREA VS A CONFINED AREA WHICH DID NOT MAKE MY PROBLEM ARISE TILL I HAD THE CAR IN A TRAPPED CONFINED AREA AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND 3RD DOOR TO GET OUT!*AK

NHTSA ID
719468

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC3100F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle's odometer appears to be inaccurate relative to a known distance traveled. Technician should obtain a hand-held GPS unit to test the odometer. If a hand held GPS unit is not available, the only other option is to verify the miles traveled using a surveyor's wheel or a dynamometer.

SB-10-08-50-003B

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

GENERAL MOTORS: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY BULLETIN FOR ALL 2012 AND PRIOR GENERAL MOTOR TRUCKS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES REGARDING THE ADJUSTABLE COMFORT AND CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY OF THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HEAD RESTRAINT. *PE

00T48

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING SQUEAKING NOISE FROM DRIVER OR PASSENGER SEAT BACK. *JG

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saturn SC1 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001252049.7
2000Viewing820—
1999210046.5
1998390038.7
1997613051.8
1996390040.0
1995591355.1
1994821455.2
1993582259.9
1992151149.6
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.