Owners have filed 59 complaints
about the 1994 Saturn SC with NHTSA between 1995 and 2015.
The largest single group is the seats.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 9 worst.
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 — 78
Against the median year of the Saturn SC. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
27.1% 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.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Recliner
1748.6%
Frontal
514.3%
Retractor
411.4%
Gasoline
38.6%
Foundation Components
25.7%
Anchorage
25.7%
Webbing
12.9%
Rotor
12.9%
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.
Mar 1995peak 4Jun 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.
RQ00005Opened 16 Feb 2000Closed 19 Aug 2000SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSE
EA98017Opened 31 Jul 1998Closed 16 Mar 1999SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURES
IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 5, 1999, GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL 136,300 MODEL YEAR 1994 AND 1995 SATURN VEHICLE (ALL MODELS) BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1994 AND AUGUST 1994.DURING THIS PERIOD, SATURN'S SEAT SUPPLIER MANUFACTURED RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WHICH WERE OUT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATION, ALLOWING THE FRONT SEAT BACKS TO RECLINE OR COLLAPSE INADVERTENTLY.TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SATURN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK RECLINER ASSEMBLIES.SEE NHTSA'S SAFETY RECALL FILL 99V-045 FOR DETAILS.
EA95003Opened 24 Feb 1995Closed 31 May 1996EQUIPMENT
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...
PE94079Opened 7 Nov 1994Closed 24 Feb 1995EQUIPMENT
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE
Recalls on the 1994 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
99V045000
SEATS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199904011,260 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and cause the seat to slip partially rearward when force is applied. If left unrepaired, the wear will continue and may result in the seat back fully reclining when force is applied. If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control and a crash. Correction: Both the driver and front passenger seat back recliner mechanisms will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Orange Park, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #853882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL AREA VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #853450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CACrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL AREA VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #853450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forest Hills, NYCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE DURING REAR END COLLISION/INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #603293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apg-Ea, MDCrash1 killed
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT ACCIDENT THE MANUAL SEAT BELT BROKE AT THE BUCKLE, RELEASING THE 230 LB DRIVER OUT THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW, RESULTING IN A FATALITY.
NHTSA complaint #804704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG IN COLLISION, CONTRIBUTING TO INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #504319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 147,000 milesWilliamsburg, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED IN ANY POSITION, INCLUDING WHILE RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #10723528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
POWER TRAIN
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #10654353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #10654353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
ENGINE
1994 SATURN SC. CONSUMER STATED IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE KEY BEING STUCK INSIDE THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE ALSO LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING SO CUSTOMER IS ASKING FOR A REFUND. *SS THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE HEADLIGHTS OPENED ON THEIR OWN, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE GEAR ON ITS OWN, AND THE RPM'S WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.
NHTSA complaint #10654353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesCastleton, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD RETRACT BACK AND FORTH. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10074050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesNorth Bennington, VT
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION WENT IN MY SATURN SC1 AND I LOST MY JOB DUE TO THE FACT THAT I LIVED ALONE AT THE TIME, AND IN A REMOTE AREA....I ALSO HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE THE COST OF A TRANSMISSION FOR THE CAR IS MORE THAN I CAN AFFORD...LET ALONE THE BILL THAT WOULD INSUE FOR HAVING IT INSTALLED. MY CO-WORKER THAT I WORK WITH NOW..(BORROWING MY AUNTS CAR, AND MOVED TO LIVE WITH MY MOM) HAS A SATURN SC2 1995 AND HIS TRANSMISSION WENT IN HIS TOO....ITS REDICULOUS...EVERYONE THAT I KNOW WHO OWNS A SATURN SC1 OR 2 OR HAS OWNED ONE...HAS REPLACED OR GOTTEN RID OF BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSIONS GOING. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER...IT JUST WENT.
NHTSA complaint #10070931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slinger, WI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE RETRACTOR SEAT BELT DOES NOT MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10052520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRONT SEATBACK RECLINER IS EXPERIENCING SAME DEFECT AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 99 V 045 000. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8018074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snellville, GA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATES THAT DRIVER SEAT WILL RECLINE WHILE DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8007996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Potomac, MD
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT WILL LOCK IN PLACE BUT WILL NOT SLIDE FORWARD WHEN DOOR IS OPENED.
NHTSA complaint #757664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IT STARTED OUT JUST GETTING STUCK OCCASIONALLY AND THEN WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL. TALKED TO 4 OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED STICKING. THE ENGINE WAS SO MESSED UP AT ABOUT 68K THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE BACKFIRING AND LEAKING OIL ETC. THE SUNROOF WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED ANYMORE. I WENT TO OPEN IT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WONT CLOSE. I WANTED A PURPLE SATURN SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I FINALLY GOT ONE AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE THESE ARE JUST 5 OF THE MOST RECENT THINGS BUT I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER WANTED SATURN. I GUESS IT IS TRUE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
NHTSA complaint #746559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IT STARTED OUT JUST GETTING STUCK OCCASIONALLY AND THEN WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL. TALKED TO 4 OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED STICKING. THE ENGINE WAS SO MESSED UP AT ABOUT 68K THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE BACKFIRING AND LEAKING OIL ETC. THE SUNROOF WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED ANYMORE. I WENT TO OPEN IT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WONT CLOSE. I WANTED A PURPLE SATURN SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I FINALLY GOT ONE AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE THESE ARE JUST 5 OF THE MOST RECENT THINGS BUT I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER WANTED SATURN. I GUESS IT IS TRUE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
NHTSA complaint #746559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norcross, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR IT STARTED OUT JUST GETTING STUCK OCCASIONALLY AND THEN WOULD MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK NOW WON'T MOVE AT ALL. TALKED TO 4 OTHER SATURN OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT HAS STARTED STICKING. THE ENGINE WAS SO MESSED UP AT ABOUT 68K THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE DUE TO POOR PERFORMANCE BACKFIRING AND LEAKING OIL ETC. THE SUNROOF WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED ANYMORE. I WENT TO OPEN IT ONE DAY AND THEN IT WONT CLOSE. I WANTED A PURPLE SATURN SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I FINALLY GOT ONE AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE THESE ARE JUST 5 OF THE MOST RECENT THINGS BUT I HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ALTERNATOR, STARTER AND SEVERAL OTHER MINOR REPAIRS. I WISH I HAD NEVER EVER WANTED SATURN. I GUESS IT IS TRUE BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
NHTSA complaint #746559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR BURNS OIL EVERY 500 MILES. SEE WEBPAGE "SATURNEXPOSED.COM" TO SEE THE MANY OTHER SATURN OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #740620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT INOPERATIVE. SEATBELT WILL NOT SLIDE TO THE LOCK POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #550368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakersfield, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEATBACK COLLAPSED THROWING CONSUMER INTO THE REAR SEAT. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKE/ MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #855014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange Park, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #853882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL AREA VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #853450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fullerton, CACrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING IN THE LOCAL AREA VEHICLE WAS REARENDED, AND DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE OF EXPIRED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #853450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrollton, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM/LINES ARE DESIGNED WITH INADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM ROAD DEBRIS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BROKEN FUEL LINE AND LEAKAGE DUE TO DEBRIS FROM TIRE HITTING EXPOSED LINE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #547352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redondo Beach, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILS TO REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION IF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO IT. THE SEAT IS NOT LOCKED IN TO POSITION & CAUSES CONCENTRATION PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #843281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Afton, TN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING AND IF PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR FOR MORE SPEED, SEAT BACK REST WILL COLLAPSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 30 TIMES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSIIIP, AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #840896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hebron, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PART HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY MANUFACTURER AS MAY FAIL, HAS NOT FAILED IN OUR VEHICLE, NO RECALL, THINK IT IS UNSAFE, REQUEST NHTSA INVESTIGATE FOR POSSIBLE RECALL
NHTSA complaint #707657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBACKS ABRUPTLY SLIPPED INTO THE RECLINING POSITION UPON ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. (IT WAS KIND OF FUNNY WHEN IT WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FIRST, NOT SO FUNNY WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED TO DO IT.) ON 12/31/98, I PAID OVER $300 TO HAVE BOTH SEATS REPAIRED. I TOLD THE SATURN DEALER THAT THIS SEEMED HIGHLY UNUSUAL AND DUE TO A FAULTY PART. I WAS ASSURED IT WAS NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR." NOW THE SAME YEAR (1994) SATURNS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT MY DEALER SAID MY CAR IS NOT WITHIN THE "VIN RANGE." I THINK IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT THIS IS A COINCIDENCE OR DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I FEEL I AM DUE A COMPLETE REFUND ON THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #707190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Clemens, MI
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
EA98017, SEATBACK FAILURE: THE SEATBACKS ON DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES ARE BROKEN. DRIVER'S SEAT HAS RECLINED BACK SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE . DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.