1992 Saturn SC1: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 5 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Seat Belts: 5; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 1997: 2; 1999: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10209905 · 2007-11-26 (November 26, 2007)
STARTED ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DIED! TIMING CHAIN BROKEN. SECOND TIME SINCE OWNED CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10209905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 518789 · 1997-08-08 (August 8, 1997)
PREMATURE WEA ROF SPIDLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. ALSO SEATBACKBROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO FALL INTO THE REAR SEAT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 518789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 703680 · 1999-02-23 (February 23, 1999)
DRIVER'S SIDE LAP SEAT BELT STITCHING UNRAVELED WHERE THE BELT WAS FOLDED OVER. TOOK TO DEALER TO SEE IF IT WAS A PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE STITCHING UNRAVELED. HAVE BEEN DRIVING LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. SAW ANOTHER PERSON WRITE TO NEWSPAPER AUTOMOBILE COLUMN WITH SAME PROBLEM AND REFERRED TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. I DECIDED TO SUBMIT MY PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT TOO.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 703680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 706227 · 1999-05-04 (May 4, 1999)
NO SUMMARY
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 706227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 706571 · 1999-05-17 (May 17, 1999)
SAMES VALVES BAD AGAIN AT 63000
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 706571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748746 · 2001-07-19 (July 19, 2001)
AIRBAG FAILED ON FRONT IMPACT, FIRE STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT,DRIVER TRAPPED, TOTALED CAR, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN SECONDS. VERY LITTLE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750016 · 2001-08-07 (August 7, 2001)
HEADLINER FELL DOWN INTO MY FACE WHILE DRIVING...ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 783680 · 2000-03-28 (March 28, 2000)
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT FAILURE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 783680 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
93V132000 · Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Reported: 1993-08-10 (August 10, 1993)
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence: SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
15 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 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 233.3%ODI 517656DRIVER'S FRONT SEATBACK FRAME BROKE AT WELD. ALSO, PASSENGER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS/HESITATES TO RELEASE OR ENGAGE. *AK | 213.3%ODI 838515DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBACKS BROKE WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END IMPACT. DRIVE RSUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK | 610.3% | 1923.2%ODI 528878DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED TO REAR AFTER IMPACT TO REAR OF VEHICLE AT 25 MPH. | 1118.6%ODI 546004SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DURING REAR END COLLISION RESULTING IN NECK AND BACK INJURY. MJS | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.6%ODI 10170846 · 33,750 miI 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 INF… | 25.1%ODI 822282APPLIED BRAKES ON RAINY ROAD. VEHICLE SLID THROUGH RED LIGHT & BROADSIDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER HIT SIDE LEFT WINDOW & STEERING WHEEL. THEN HIT LIGHT POLE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS UNCONSCIENCE. THE REAR SEAT COLLAPSED FORWARD AFTER BEING HIT. *AK | 29.5%ODI 10025967DRIVER'S SEAT COMPLETELY RECLINED DURING REAR END COLLISION, RESULTING IN NECK AND BACK INJURIES.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.0%ODI 734983CAR WAS STOPPED AND THEN WAS REAR ENDED BY LARGE FORD SUV. UPON INPACT DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED INTO BACK SEAT. IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A BOOK BAG ON REAR SEAT KEEPING IT FROM GOING FLAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN SHE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS THEN ABLE TO SWERVE BACK INTO HER LANE. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. ALSO WHILE LAYING FLAT, IF HIT AGAIN SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT UNDER THE SEAT BELT (AND AIR BAG) POSSIBLY BECOMING SERIOUSLY OR FATALY INJURED. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7% | 46.9% | 78.5%ODI 10022219ENGINE MOTOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 25.1%ODI 10026349 · 47,592 miTHE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT A PISTON ROD BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE, A LARGE HOLE WAS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK *SCC *JB | 711.5%ODI 10008295 · 37,100 miVEHICLE 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 ELE… | 615.4%ODI 10000215 · 91,000 miOIL PRESSURE SUDDENLY CHANGED AND FUMES CAME FROM UNDER HOOD. I PULLED CAR OFF INTERSTATE IMMEDIATELY AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD. UPON CHECKING OIL, FOUND THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY DRY. I HAVE KEPT REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON CAR, AS CAN BE VERIFIED BY SATURN. WAS TOLD THAT ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS A 1998 SATURN SC2 WITH 91,000 MILES. | 14.8%ODI 8012110WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THERE WAS A CLUNK TYPE NOISE AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER NOTICED VALVE SPRING WAS BROKEN. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK DEALER FOUND SPRING VALVE BROKE, CAUSING THE PISTON TO HIT THE VALVE AND BEND THE VALVE. MECHANIC STATES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. SATURN FINALLY AGREED TO PAY A PORTION OF COST TO INSTALL NEW ENGINE. *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.0%ODI 10180861 · 112,000 miWHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE STRIKING ANOTHER MOTORIST AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL MAKING AT LEAST TWO FULL REVOLUTIONS BEFORE COMING TO A REST AGAINST THE GUARD RAILS OF THE MEDIAN. THE OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF THE SCENE AFTER THE POLICE RESPONDED… |
| Seats | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 610.3%ODI 10072379VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN REAR ENDED BY VEHICLE TRAVELING APPROX. 25 MPH. SEAT BACK COLLAPSED ON DRIVER'S SIDE TO 45 DEGREE ANGLE.BODY SHOP UNABLE TO REPAIR TO ORIGINAL CONDITION WITHOUT REPLACEMENT. | 1113.4%ODI 527543THE LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED ON BOTH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE SEATS HAVE TO PROPPED UP IN ORDER TO USE. | 813.6%ODI 10088170 · 70,000 miMODEL: 1995 SATURN SC2 COUPE THROUGH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS, THE INTERNAL METAL IS BENT, AND SO THE SEAT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. THE SEAT WAS ALREADY PARTIALLY BENT BACK WHEN THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR REPAIRS. THAT RECALL CONCERNED THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM. SATURN REPLACED THE MECHANISM, THE SEAT WAS UPRIGHT FOR A TIME, BUT THEN COLLAPSED FULLY AFTER MILD BACKWARD PRESSURE. IN RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM, SATURN SAID THAT THE METAL OF THE SEAT WAS BENT OUT OF SHAPE, THAT… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.3%ODI 10442293DRIVERS 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, N… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 29.5%ODI 564261CHILD SEAT DOES NOT FIT SAFELY INTO THE VEHICLE, THIS STATEMENT CAME FROM THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING FOR REFUND OR FOR AN EQUAL EXCHANGE. *YH *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 116.7%ODI 10311599 · 134,635 miENGINE ACCELERATES WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR OR NOT, WHETHER PRESSING ON THE BRAKE OR NOT. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR IT. *TR | 16.7%ODI 961209THE CRUISE CONTROL QUITS WORKING ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, HAPPENS MORE OFTEN AFTER USING ACCEL BUTTON A FEW TIMES. INCONSISTENT. TT | 46.9%ODI 960677WHEN ACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL IT WORKS FOR VARYING DISTANCES AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES NOT ACTIVATING WHEN TURNED ON. TT | 78.5%ODI 102048681994 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 | 23.4%ODI 815250CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE APPROX. ------MPH. WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK OPEN, CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT-OFF ENGINE TO BRING THROTTLE BACK TO IDLE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.3%ODI 810729UPON 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 | 25.1%ODI 10020742I 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 GARA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 312.0%ODI 10182255 · 84,000 miON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON NORTH AURORA ROAD IN NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR REVVED TO 6000 RPM AND WENT FROM 0-40 MPH. I THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR MUST BE STUCK, SO I TRIED TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T. IT WAS NOT STUCK. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR JUST KEPT REVVING AND GOING 40 MPH. I KNEW I HAD TO GET THE CAR STOPPED OR RISK HITTING CARS AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION OR GOING T… |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.7%ODI 10088736 · 156,000 miDUE TO PLASTIC DOOR SKIN (OUTER PANELING ) OPENING THE DOOR IN A LOW SPEED CAR ACCIDENT IN ADDITION TO PASSIVE SEAT BELT FALURE (INTERMITTENTLY WORKED)I WAS EJECTED FROM CAR AND LEFT PARALYZED. AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKING WAS REJECTED BY SATURN DUE TO COST LEAVING SAFETY OUT OF CONCERN. *JB | 56.1%ODI 10022217 · 125 miDRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL RETRACT AND TIGHTEN SEVERELY. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING TRAPPED IN THE SEAT, AND SUSTAINING BRUISES.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 711.5%ODI 10065448 · 80,000 miCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A SEAT BELT RETRACTING PROBLEM. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK | 410.3%ODI 10013752SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE NO LONGER WORKS, THIS ALLOWS THE BELT TO BECOME CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, DAMAGING THE STRAP. *JB | 314.3%ODI 10010590THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. IT TAKES OVER 10 MINUTES FOR THEM TO RETRACT ONCE YOU UNFASTEN THEM. MY SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL NOT CORRECTED. I WAS TOLD "THAT IS HOW THEY WORK". I AM NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEM LOCKING WHILE DRIVING. THE LOCKING IS NOT TRIGGERED BY ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE FOUND IT JUST WON'T MOVE WHEN YOU TRY TO. YOU CAN'T MOVE UNLESS YOU UNDO THE SEAT BELT WAIT FOR IT TO RETRACT AND THEN REFASTEN IT. WHEN YOU UNFASTEN IT THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE AS IT RETRACTS. THERE HAS… | 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. | 46.9% | 33.7% | 46.8%ODI 10057082 · 61,346 miEXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTING NEAR 45,000 MILES. TOOK OVER 15,000 MILES TO CONVINCE DEALER/MNFG OF DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING. 30,000 SATURN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST 1 DEC '96 35,000 SATURN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST 2 36,000 RR CAM COVER (CC) GASKET, REAR MAIN SEAL 45,500 RR CC GASKET, HARMONIC BALANCER, CRANKSHAFT SEAL, OIL PAN GASKET 49,250 RR CC & CCR GASKET 60,000 TO 68,900 OIL CONSUMPTION ~ 1 QT EVERY 600 MILES 66,000 EMAIL TO ANGIE BARRETT, SATURN CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER, RE OIL CONSUMPTION "1 QT EVERY 2,000 IS OK". 68,900 SATURN … | 37.7% | 11.6%ODI 864478ENGINE STALLED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AT AT 25,300 MILES. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUED TO REOCCUR. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK | 25.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.0%ODI 10162994 · 76,000 miI HAVE A 2001 SATURN SC-2 COUPE THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2001. I HAVE ROUTINELY CHANGED THE OIL AND DONE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAS ~75,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN RECENTLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND LEARNED THE TIMING CHAIN DID NOT BREAK BUT BECAME LOOSE. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED SATURN ENGINEERS DESIGNED THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUN THE OIL PUMP. THEREFORE, WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BECAME LOOSE ON MY SATURN,THE OIL PUMP FAILED TO MAINTAIN OIL PRESSURE ON THAT … |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.7%ODI 748746AIRBAG FAILED ON FRONT IMPACT, FIRE STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT,DRIVER TRAPPED, TOTALED CAR, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN SECONDS. VERY LITTLE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT.*AK | 11.7%ODI 982450PREMATURE INFLATION OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG, OWNER FEELS AIRBAG WAS OVERSENSATIVE. *AK | 11.2%ODI 726320I 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.… | 35.1%ODI 548002NO DEPLOYMENT OF DUAL AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) DURING HEAD ON COLLISION, NO INJURIES. YH | 25.1%ODI 804013CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF AUTO AND HIT LIGHT POLE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO ACCIDENT. *SLC | 46.6%ODI 534542THE DESIGN OF PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN DEPLOYED IT CAN KILL YOUNG CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS. CONCERN ABOUT AIR BAG SAFETY (OTHER THAN SHORT PERSON). ADDED ON 09-07-1999. *AK | 25.1%ODI 10118945 · 113,000 miWHILE 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 ENGA… | 14.8% | 225.0%ODI 10146653 · 46,000 miI 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 233.3%ODI 517656DRIVER'S FRONT SEATBACK FRAME BROKE AT WELD. ALSO, PASSENGER'S MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILS/HESITATES TO RELEASE OR ENGAGE. *AK | 533.3% | 46.9%ODI 551322THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT GRADUALLY STOPPED MOVING IN EITHER DIRECTION. NLM | 33.7%ODI 780102DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES AUTOMATICALLY UNDER ACCELERATION OR ANYTIME DRIVER LEANS BACK TOO HARD. ALSO PASSIVE RESTRAINT IS STUCK FORWARD. | 11.7%ODI 806507DRIVER WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN, DRIVER WAS INJURED . *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.6%ODI 10442293DRIVERS 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, N… | 12.6%ODI 10274084 · 97,693 miDURING 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 FRE… | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | Too few reports for a range | 16,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10209905 · 16,000 miSTARTED ENGINE IMMEDIATELY DIED! TIMING CHAIN BROKEN. SECOND TIME SINCE OWNED CAR. *TR |
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.
2000: 3 complaints · 2001: 10 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2001 | 4 | 6 | 10 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| 2001 | 20 | 3 | 2 |
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 | Seat Belts | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Air Bags:Frontal | Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 1ODI 748746AIRBAG FAILED ON FRONT IMPACT, FIRE STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT,DRIVER TRAPPED, TOTALED CAR, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN SECONDS. VERY LITTLE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT.*AK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 748746AIRBAG FAILED ON FRONT IMPACT, FIRE STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SEAT IN FRONT,DRIVER TRAPPED, TOTALED CAR, DESTROYED BY FIRE IN SECONDS. VERY LITTLE DAMAGE FROM IMPACT.*AK | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 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.