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1993 problems

FaultScore report

1993 Saturn SC problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1993 Saturn SC with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the seats. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Saturn SC All 1993 cars

FaultScore 61/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Saturn SC.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 38: Against the median year of the Saturn SC. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100: 20.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported: Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 compares with every other Saturn SC

Click any bar to open that year's report.

6 24 29 59 50 41 44 17 27 8 29 45

91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Saturn SC

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seats 9 31.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 79,500 mi

Brakes 4 13.8%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 3 10.3%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 2 6.9%

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 6.9%

Other & Unspecified 1 3.4%

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 3.4%

Seat Belts 1 3.4%

Tires 1 3.4%

Fuel & Propulsion 1 3.4%

Lights 1 3.4%

Suspension 1 3.4%

Steering 1 3.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Electrical System 1 3.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 1995 peak 6 May 2003

NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Saturn SC

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA95003 Opened 24 Feb 1995 Closed 31 May 1996 EQUIPMENT

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES

THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS WERE INVESTIGATED AND STEPS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THEIR OCCURRENCES.SERVICE PROCEDURES WERE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES IN USE, AND A DESIGN MODIFICATION MADE FOR NEW VEHICLES.NO CONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE UPON COMMAND WERE IDENTIFIED.IMPRO...

PE94079 Opened 7 Nov 1994 Closed 24 Feb 1995 EQUIPMENT

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE

Recalls on the 1993 Saturn SC

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

93V132000 10 Aug 1993

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.

Risk: 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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1993108 5 Aug 1993 23,367 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain vehicles, a short circuit in the generator could cause excessive current flow in the generator wiring harness resulting in overheating and a possible engine compartment fire. Correction: Generator wiring harness will be replaced with one that will open, as a fuse would under these conditions, to eliminate the potential for an underhood fire.

Recall 1993023 2 Mar 1993 191 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain vehicles, the stakes securing the two halves of the brake booster assembly may not withstand the loads applied in a high effort manoeuvre. If separation occurs, the brake master cylinder will be disconnected resulting in loss of brakes. Correction: vehicles will be inspected and boosters replaced where required.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 19 Jul 2002 Grand Rapids, MI Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AND DRIVER'S SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO FULL RECLINE POSITION. CONSUMER SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND BACK PAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8014308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Aug 2000 Sarasota, FL Crash

SEATS

CONSUMER WAS REARENED BY A VEHICLE WITH A 1 MPH IMPACT, AT THE TIME OF IMPACT DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARD, COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES. MANUFACTURER STATED SEAT WAS SUPPOSE TO COLLAPSE ,AND THAT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. *AK THE SEAT FAILED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #866690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #840819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #840819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #839911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 2 May 2003 at 94,000 miles SAN Francisco, CA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK COLLAPSES RANDOMLY AND QUICKLY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SPINAL INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AND ACCIDENT. THE PASSENGER COMPLAINED OF A SORE NECK. I WENT TO THE SATURN DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW SEAT EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THERE ARE DEFECTS IN THE 1993 SEATS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10016914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Feb 2003 at 65,000 miles Greenwood Village, CO

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

RECLINING MECHANISM FAILS AFTER A FEW YEARS OF USE, WHICH RESULTS IN SUDDEN RECLINE OF DRIVER SEAT. NEARLY CAUSED ME TO CRASH ON ONE OCCASION, AFTER HITTING THE BREAKS AND THE PRESSURE OF MY BODY MADE THE SEAT RECLINE. AFTER CONTACTING SATURN, THEY TOLD ME THE RECLINING MECHANISM WAS NOT RECALLED ON THE EARLIER MODELS (BEFORE 1994 OR 1995, I CAN'T REMEMBER). I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM, AS THE CARS AREN'T THAT OLD WHEN THE MECHAISM FAILS. I HAVE REPLACED THE PASSENGER SEAT ALREADY IN 1999 , WITH THE DRIVERS SEAT UNREPAIRED AT THIS TIME. IT CAUSES A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING, AND SATURN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10005268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Jul 2002 Grand Rapids, MI Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED AND DRIVER'S SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY BACK INTO FULL RECLINE POSITION. CONSUMER SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND BACK PAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8014308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 May 2001 Santa ANA, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

VEHICLE WAS CHOKING WITH GASOLINE, AND JUST QUIT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #887413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Apr 2001 Raleigh, NC

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

SEAT RECLINER PARTS STRIPPED SO THAT SEAT RECLINES WHILE DRIVER IS ACCELERATING.

NHTSA complaint #743448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Apr 2001 Yardley, PA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVERS SEAT COLLPASED BACKWARD. CAR PARKED, NO DAMAGES. DEALER CHARGED $160 TO REPLACE SEAT ADJUSTER MEHANISM, DROVE HOME AND SEAT BEN NACKWARDS AGAIN; DEALER SAID SEAT FRAME BENT. SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON EARLY SATURNS. INTERNET SEACH SHOWED THIS TO BE PROBLEM WITH 94 SATURNS WITH A RECALL AT ONE TIME FOR THAT YEAR.

NHTSA complaint #742899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Nov 2000 Venice, FL

TIRES

FIRESTONE TIRES EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #556097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Oct 2000 NEW Castle, DE

SEATS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #732815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Aug 2000 Sarasota, FL Crash

SEATS

NHTSA complaint #866690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Mar 2000 Upper Darby, PA

SEAT BELTS

AUTOMATIC SHOUDLER BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES ARE STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION ON THE RAIL. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #858472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Aug 1999 Rockford, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE HEAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE COOLANT AND OIL TO MIX TOGETHER, CREATING A SPLURGE.

NHTSA complaint #844227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jul 1999 Newnan, GA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

FRONT SEAT LATCH FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #546422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #840819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #840819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jun 1999 Irving, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. APPLIED BRAKES, AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER FOUR TO SIX TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #839911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 25 Mar 1999 Meriden, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CAME UPON STOP LIGHT VEHICLE STARTED TO FILL WITH SMOKE. SHOULDER BELTS ATTACHED TO DOOR MOVED UP/DOWN. DRIVER COULD NOT RELEASE BUTTON TO GET OUT. SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DASHBOARD.TURNED VEHICLE OFF & SEAT BELTS STOPPED MOVING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING. *AK

NHTSA complaint #828682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 5 Mar 1999 Camarillo, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE SHAKES IN THE MORNING.