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Saturn SC recalls

NHTSA has issued 10 recalls covering the Saturn SC. A recall repair is always free, however old the car is.

Check your own car by VIN

Recalls apply to specific build ranges, so a recall listed here may or may not cover your particular vehicle. NHTSA's free VIN lookup is the authority: nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2001 Saturn SC Campaign 00V310000 12 Oct 2000

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

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.

Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

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.

2001 Saturn SC Campaign 00V309000 12 Oct 2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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.

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.

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.

1999 Saturn SC Campaign 99V280000 20 Oct 1999

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

1994 Saturn SC Campaign 99V045000 12 Mar 1999

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

1995 Saturn SC Campaign 99V045000 12 Mar 1999

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

1997 Saturn SC Campaign 97V162000 22 Sep 1997

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECTION OF THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK TITLED "HORIZONTAL AIM" DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCT AN OWNER HOW TO ADJUST THE HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk: A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM TO BE PLACED OVER THE EXISTING TEXT IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PLACE THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK FOR THEM.

1997 Saturn SC Campaign 97V161000 22 Sep 1997

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT IS PULLED OUT MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL, A NUMBER OF TIME, THE LOCK-UP FEATURE OF THE RETRACTOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.

Risk: IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

1997 Saturn SC Campaign 96V153000 23 Aug 1996

SEATS

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS HAVE LESS LOCK PAWL ENGAGEMENT ON THE INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER THAN SPECIFIED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEAT MOVEMENT WITH A BELTED OCCUPANT DURING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER.

1995 Saturn SC Campaign 94V217000 8 Nov 1994

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

1993 Saturn SC Campaign 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.

Remedy: THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.

Saturn SC recalls in Canada

Transport Canada runs its own recall programme. Its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones, so a Canadian owner reading a US-only list is reading about a different car than the one on their driveway.

2002 Saturn SC Recall 2002031 21 Feb 2002 64 units in Canada

Brakes

Certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transaxles. These vehicles were assembled with an inadequate weld at the brake pedal pad to brake pedal actuator arm assembly. During braking, the brake pedal pad could separate from the brake pedal actuator arm. If this were to occur, the driver's foot could become dislodged from the pedal resulting in a loss of brake system application and a vehicle crash could occur. Correction: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the brake pedal assembly.

2000 Saturn SC Recall 2000240 23 Oct 2000 6,251 units in Canada

Structure

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Locking System. An improperly adjusted transaxle park lock cable assembly could allow shifting from the "park" position with the ignition key removed. Correction: Dealers will perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and, if necessary, adjust the cable.

2000 Saturn SC Recall 2000239 23 Oct 2000 431 units in Canada

Fuel System

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 301 - Fuel System Integrity. Vehicles may have an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank. Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if a vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could result. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly.

2001 Saturn SC Recall 2000240 23 Oct 2000 6,251 units in Canada

Structure

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 114 - Locking System. An improperly adjusted transaxle park lock cable assembly could allow shifting from the "park" position with the ignition key removed. Correction: Dealers will perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and, if necessary, adjust the cable.

2001 Saturn SC Recall 2000239 23 Oct 2000 431 units in Canada

Fuel System

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 301 - Fuel System Integrity. Vehicles may have an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank. Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if a vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could result. Correction: Dealers will inspect, and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank assembly.

2000 Saturn SC Recall 1999210 15 Nov 1999 19,869 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210 - Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. Seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and cold fall out, making the seat belt inoperative and increasing the occupant's risk of injury in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect vehicles and torque the seat belt guide anchor bolts to the proper specification.

1999 Saturn SC Recall 1999210 15 Nov 1999 19,869 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210 - Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages. Seat belt shoulder guide anchor bolts were not adequately tightened at the center pillar and cold fall out, making the seat belt inoperative and increasing the occupant's risk of injury in a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect vehicles and torque the seat belt guide anchor bolts to the proper specification.

1994 Saturn SC Recall 1999040 16 Mar 1999 11,260 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.

1995 Saturn SC Recall 1999040 16 Mar 1999 11,260 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.

1997 Saturn SC Recall 1998240 8 Dec 1998 4,294 units in Canada

Electrical

Certain vehicles were either produced or serviced with a horn assembly which may fail. As a result, the horn may either become inoperable or activate without pressing the horn button. Under certain conditions, heat could build up in the horn assembly and an underhood fire could result without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary replace the horn assembly.

1997 Saturn SC Recall 1997085 21 Apr 1997 7 units in Canada

Other

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 114 - Locking System. It may be possible to remove the key from the ignition while the cylinder is in the RUN position. The ignition key must be reinserted in the ignition to turn the engine off. Correction: Ignition cylinder will be re-coded. Re-coding of the ignition cylinder will require the doors and rear compartment or liftgate locks to be re-coded to retain a one key system.

1995 Saturn SC Recall 1994167 2 Nov 1994 787 units in Canada

Powertrain

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 114 - locking system. It may be possible to shift from the PARK position with the ignition key removed, or to remove the key with the shift lever in a position other than PARK. Correction: Automatic transaxle PARK lock cable will be checked for proper function and, if necessary, adjusted.

1993 Saturn SC 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.

1992 Saturn SC 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.

1992 Saturn SC Recall 1993055 28 Apr 1993 53 units in Canada

Powertrain

On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, the gear selector may indicate that the vehicle is in PARK or NEUTRAL, even though it could be in REVERSE or DRIVE. If this happens, the vehicle could start in REVERSE or DRIVE, or might move unexpectedly. Correction: Valve body assembly will be replaced. Note: all vehicles were repaired prior to final delivery.

1993 Saturn SC 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.

Source: Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database.