FaultScore report
Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SC1 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2012. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 52/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Saturn SC1.
How this is worked out43
Complaints
6
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
80,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
9%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 71,586 miles
Median failure at 55,000 miles
Median failure at 93,990 miles
Median failure at 34,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,000 mi
2 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 150,000 miles
2 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
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.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RUNNING AND ENGINE WAS COLD, IT HAD ONLY BEEN BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. IT HAD BEEN SITTING APPROX 10 MINNUTES BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #765091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NOTIFIED SATURN - NO RESPONSE!!! CAR SLID ON OIL SLICK ROAD, HIT GUARDRAIL.
NHTSA complaint #751825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DO THE AIRBAGS HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED AFTER DEPLOYMENT? THIS VEHICLE WAS REBUILT BY MY EMPLOYER LESS THE AIR BAGS? PLEASE, PLEASE CALL ME AT HOME OR E-MAIL WITH YOUR RESPONSE AND ANY DOCUMENTATION OR REFERENCE MATERIAL I CAN USE TO CORRECT THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #728727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 45 TO 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSNGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #824225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF AUTO AND HIT LIGHT POLE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES DUE TO ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE BENDING RIGHT WITH THE ROAD. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN MORE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #802023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT WITH HORN, DEALER REPAIRED LAST TIME 2-20-2010.
NHTSA complaint #10471472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON SECOND SATURN. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AND MOTOR TO FAIL BELOW BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO BROKE CV JOINT TO TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON.
NHTSA complaint #10372479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1996 SATURN SC2, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF INTO THE ROADWAY AND BROKE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRACKETS RUSTED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0198-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/02/10
NHTSA complaint #10345468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN 1996 SATURN SC2 PURCHASED IN 2007,IT IS SPORTY AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. NOW HOWEVER I AM VERY UNHAPPY,THE STARTER WENT FIRST,THEM THE GENERATOR. THE OTHER DAY MY HUSBANDS SUBARU WAS DOWN WHILE RUNNING HIM FOR PARTS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR STARTED MISSING BUCKING AND LOST POWER,I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME,I AM DISABLED MY HUSBAND IS LAID OFF & DOES ALL REPAIR WORK,HAS TRIED EVERYTHING AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. THE CAR HAS HAD A OIL LEAK SINCE I PURCHASED IT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND WERE IT IS,AND IT JUST GETS WORSE. THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN,I DROVE MY FIRST AN SL1 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPAIR IT. BUT THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND I MUST HAVE A RELIABLE AUTO,WITH NO MONEY WHERE DO I GO? HELP SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS,I EXPECT TO HAVE SOME REPAIRS WITH A CAR THIS OLD BUT THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10267543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR MANUFACTURER SATURN BECAUSE LIKE MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LITTLE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFTER AND TRANSMISSION CABLE HAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. SATURN SHOULD REPLACE THESE PLASTIC PIECES WITH MORE DURABLE AND RELIABLE ONES BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE OVER 300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A 30 CENT PIECE OF PLASTIC.
NHTSA complaint #10157471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE LOCK FAILURE ON HOT DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK SUDDENLY. REQUIRING CAR TO BE PLACED IN 1ST GEAR TO AVOID ROLL BACK. HAND BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE THE BUTTON THAT HAND SPRUNG FREE FROM THE LEAVER HOLE DUE TO HEAT OF CAR IN THE DAY IT WOULD NOT STAY PUT.
NHTSA complaint #10140905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
I PARKED MY 1996 SATURN SC2 ALONG A STREET AND WENT INTO WORK. WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT TO MY CAR A FEW HOURS LATER, I HEARD A CAR HORN THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. I SOON REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR'S HORN THAT WAS SOUNDING. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO QUIET THE HORN BY PRESSING THE HORN BUTTONS. NOTHING HAPPENED. I OPENED THE HOOD ON THE CAR TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. ALTHOUGH THE HORN WAS VERY WEAK BY NOW, IT WAS STILL SOUNDING. I DROPPED THE HOOD CLOSED, AND THE HORN STOPPED. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THE HORN NOW WOULD NOT OPERATE. I LATER CHECKED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BLOWN. I TRIED TO REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT EACH TIME I PUT A REPLACEMENT FUSE IN THE SLOT FOR THE HORN, IT IMMEDIATELY WAS BLOWN. I RESEARCHED THE SITUATION ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE REFERENCE TO THE RECALL FOR THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE 1996 AND 1997 SATURNS. TO ME, THE CIRCUMSTANCES STATED ON THE RECALL ARE IDENTICAL, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I RETURNED TO MY CAR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING ON A HOUSE NEARBY MY CAR SAID THE HORN HAD BEEN SOUNDING FOR SOME TIME, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT USED IT THAT MORNING. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION FOR PENNSYLVANIA BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY HORN ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10137817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SATURN. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO IS ABLE TO FIX IT CORRECTLY. IT HAS NOT CAUSED A SAFETY ISUUE...YET.
NHTSA complaint #10105650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SATURN. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO IS ABLE TO FIX IT CORRECTLY. IT HAS NOT CAUSED A SAFETY ISUUE...YET.
NHTSA complaint #10105650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER ABOUT 70,000 MI I NOTICED TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER IT HEATED UP (ABOUT 50+ MI ON FWY). A TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE "VALVE BODY". I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COST ABOUT $350. ABOUT 20,000 MI LATER I STARTED HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. IT WASN'T THAT BAD AT FIRST SO I DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT UNTIL RECENTLY (MI AT 150,000) I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PALMDALE, CA. IN TALKING WITH THE SERVICE REP I WAS TOLD THAT SATURN HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD REPAIR TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE THE UPPER PORTION OF THE VALVE BODY AND THEN THEY FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM SO NOW THEY ARE RECOMMENDING TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE VALVE BODY, WHICH I HAD DONE AT A COST OF ABOUT $1,100. SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IF I WAS MAKING A THREE POINT TURN AND COULD NOT GET IT INTO REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC (I CAN THINK OF SEVERAL OTHER SAFETY RELATED EXAMPLES). MY QUESTION IS THIS, WHY HAS THIS PROBLEM NOT HAD A SAFETY RELATED RECALL? IS THERE SOME WAY I COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE APPROXIMATELY $1500 I HAVE HAD TO SPEND ON REPAIRS? THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10098714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE CRACKING IN CYLINDER HEAD. *MR SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10044097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10038334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AS WITH COMPLAINT 828481, MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T RUN UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE - AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY -9/8/98) AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - 9/20/2001). BOTH TIMES, I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND BOTH TIMES I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE FIRST TIME, THE POLICE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HAD ME TOWED TO A GAS STATION - THE SECOND TIME, THE POLICE BROUGHT A FIVE GALLON CAN AND POURED IT INTO MY GAS TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10032612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN....TOOK TO SATURN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CABLES...THEY THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $954.00 TO FIX, THE SUNROOF HAS BARELY BEEN USED ON THIS CAR, AS I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER AND WOULD KNOW, IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT IT WOULD BREAK AFTER ONLY A FEW USES, SEEMS MORE LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART. BECAUSE THE SUNROOF IS STUCK PARTIALLY OPEN IT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO THE SLIDER, AND I HAVE TO PUSH IT DOWN EVERY TIME I GET INTO OR OUT OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10030436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE 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
NHTSA complaint #10026349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
THE BATTERY CABLES INSULATIONS SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT RUBBED ON THE BATTERY BRACKET AND ENGINE. *AK *PH
NHTSA complaint #10022690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 96 SATURN SC2. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2000, WITH 43,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES, NOTICING A SIGNIFICANT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL USE APPROXIMATELY A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. AROUND TOWN, I CAN SQUEEZE OUT MORE, AROUND NEEDING ONE QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES. I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, AND FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I MYSELF WORK ON CARS ALL THE TIME AND KNOW TO CHECK AND ADD OIL (MUCH CHEAPER THAN AN OVERHAUL). HOWEVER, FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO SO AND ONLY CHANGE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES MAY WELL END UP STRANDED. THIS SEEMS TO DEFINITELY BE A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE WITH SATURN THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. TS
NHTSA complaint #10000405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RUNNING AND ENGINE WAS COLD, IT HAD ONLY BEEN BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. IT HAD BEEN SITTING APPROX 10 MINNUTES BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #765091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
NOTIFIED SATURN - NO RESPONSE!!! CAR SLID ON OIL SLICK ROAD, HIT GUARDRAIL.
NHTSA complaint #751825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER MOIST CONDITIONS HORN WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF, AND CONSUMER HAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP HORN FROM OPERATING. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 98V307000, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #890400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHILE DRIVING HORN ACTIVATED ON IT OWN FOR LONG TIME. THEN, WHEN STOPPING HORN WAS NOT WORKING, AND HAD TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #876595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #784482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #784482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DO THE AIRBAGS HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED AFTER DEPLOYMENT? THIS VEHICLE WAS REBUILT BY MY EMPLOYER LESS THE AIR BAGS? PLEASE, PLEASE CALL ME AT HOME OR E-MAIL WITH YOUR RESPONSE AND ANY DOCUMENTATION OR REFERENCE MATERIAL I CAN USE TO CORRECT THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #728727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.