Saturn S-SERIES COUPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 to 2002 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 12 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10149864 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF THE BATTERY HAD TO BE RECHARGED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE PARKING BRAKE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063702 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN I HAVE TO STOP FAST/HARD DUE TO TRAFFIC THE BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND THE CAR KEEPS GOING. THE DEALER REPLACED AN SENSOR AFTER MY 4TH COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THE PROBLEM IS SLOWLY COMING BACK. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM?*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120476 · 2005-06-03 (June 3, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THE CONSUMER'S MOTHER SIT IN THE SEAT. THEY ADJUSTED THE SEAT FOR HER AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE, NOW IT IS STUCK IN THAT ONE SPOT AND IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO GO ANY FARTHER BACK. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE SITTING IN IT. AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SEAT THEY STATED THAT, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MANU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015830 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 4 OCCASIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015830 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 2001: 0; 2002: 0
Year-by-year records
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10093634 · 84,000 miMY DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF HER 2001 SATURN (3-DOOR COUPE) IN THE RAIN ON SATURDAY WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. SHE SLID THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND HEAD-ON INTO A UTILITY POLE, WHILE ALSO TAKING DOWN TWO TELEPHONE BOXES. SHE AND HER TWO PASSENGERS WERE HURT. HER DRIVER AIRBAG AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE PULLED IN BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT OF HER CAR, AND THE UTILITY POLE WENT 14 INCHES INTO THE FRONT END OF HER CAR. HER PASSENGER IN THE FRONT HIT THE WINDSHIELD (SHE WASN'T WEARING A SEAT BELT UNFORTUNA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 150.0%ODI 10149864 · 96,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF THE BATTERY HAD TO BE RECHARGED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE PARKING BRAKE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10165542I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY OIL DISAPPEARING. IT IS NOT BURNING OFF, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED FOR LEAKS, WHICH DO NOT EXIST. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN MORE THAN 5 TIMES OVER 1.5 YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX IT SINCE IT IS NOT MORE THAN 2 QUARTS OF OIL DISAPPEARING PER 3,000 MILES (IT'S ONLY ABOUT 1.5 QUARTS). *NM |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 10162779THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OUT OF FIRST GEAR THE SHIFTER CABLE WAS BROKEN AT THE CENTER CONSOLE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS IT WAS IN HAVE TRAFFIC. THE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT IS ONLY SOLD BY SATURAN AND COSTS $300 FOR THE CABLE ASSEMBLY HOWEVER ONLY THE CABLE CONNECTION IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 150.0%ODI 883050MOTORIZED SEATBELT IS STUCK AND WILL NOT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE BECAUSE BELT IS NOT SECURE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10120476DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THE CONSUMER'S MOTHER SIT IN THE SEAT. THEY ADJUSTED THE SEAT FOR HER AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE, NOW IT IS STUCK IN THAT ONE SPOT AND IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO GO ANY FARTHER BACK. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE SITTING IN IT. AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SEAT THEY STATED THAT, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MANU… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10063702ANTI-LOCK BRAKING PROBLEM. WHEN I HAVE TO STOP FAST/HARD DUE TO TRAFFIC THE BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING SOUND AND THE CAR KEEPS GOING. THE DEALER REPLACED AN SENSOR AFTER MY 4TH COMPLAINT ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT WORKED FOR A WHILE BUT THE PROBLEM IS SLOWLY COMING BACK. ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM?*AK |
| Steering | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10120476DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THE CONSUMER'S MOTHER SIT IN THE SEAT. THEY ADJUSTED THE SEAT FOR HER AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE, NOW IT IS STUCK IN THAT ONE SPOT AND IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO GO ANY FARTHER BACK. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE SITTING IN IT. AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SEAT THEY STATED THAT, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MANU… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | Too few reports for a range | 84,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10093634 · 84,000 miMY DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL OF HER 2001 SATURN (3-DOOR COUPE) IN THE RAIN ON SATURDAY WHILE TRYING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. SHE SLID THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND HEAD-ON INTO A UTILITY POLE, WHILE ALSO TAKING DOWN TWO TELEPHONE BOXES. SHE AND HER TWO PASSENGERS WERE HURT. HER DRIVER AIRBAG AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE DAMAGE PULLED IN BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT OF HER CAR, AND THE UTILITY POLE WENT 14 INCHES INTO THE FRONT END OF HER CAR. HER PASSENGER IN THE FRONT HIT THE WINDSHIELD (SHE WASN'T WEARING A SEAT BELT UNFORTUNA… |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | Too few reports for a range | 96,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10149864 · 96,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF THE BATTERY HAD TO BE RECHARGED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE DUE TO LOSE OF POWER. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE PARKING BRAKE AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2001: 0 complaints · 2002: 2 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Air Bags:Frontal | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Seat Belts | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | Steering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 10120476DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THE CONSUMER'S MOTHER SIT IN THE SEAT. THEY ADJUSTED THE SEAT FOR HER AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE, NOW IT IS STUCK IN THAT ONE SPOT AND IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO GO ANY FARTHER BACK. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE SITTING IN IT. AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SEAT THEY STATED THAT, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MANU… |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10120476DT: THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD THE CONSUMER'S MOTHER SIT IN THE SEAT. THEY ADJUSTED THE SEAT FOR HER AND THE SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE, NOW IT IS STUCK IN THAT ONE SPOT AND IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED TO GO ANY FARTHER BACK. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL WAS THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLOWLY MOVE BACKWARDS WHILE SITTING IN IT. AFTER THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE SEAT THEY STATED THAT, THAT WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE HE COULD NOT MANU… | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.