1996 Saturn SC
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1996 Saturn SC. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
26 complaints4 involved a crash5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats · Structure › Body
Drivers seat won't stay in upright position when I lean back with slight pressure, whether I am in motion or not. This has been an ongoing problem for about a month. As a previous owner of many cars, I have never heard of this type of problem. also the trunk latch IS not operable using the cable.
- Engine · Service brakes · Structure › Body
Ligthly applied brake to slow down to stop at intersection; though I had foot pressing hard on brake car would not stop, entered intersection and struck a passing car; this was within an hour of picking up the car from garage where repairs had been done because of this problem; air bags did not activate at impact
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 1996 SC1 saturn. The contact stated that the horn sounded independently while the vehicle was parked overnight. The vehicle was not equipped with an anti-theft system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection who advised that the fuse would have to be removed in…
TL* the contact owns a 1996 SC1 saturn. The contact stated that the horn sounded independently while the vehicle was parked overnight. The vehicle was not equipped with an anti-theft system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection who advised that the fuse would have to be removed in order to shut the horn off. In addition, the horn assembly would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was contacted and stated that the contact's vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 18,782.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Anti-theft › Control module · Engine and engine cooling · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Seats
As the original owner of a 1996 saturn SC1 with 68,000 miles, this car has had four head gaskets replaced originating when this car was under a year old. in addition to these repeated catastrophic engine failures multiple replacements of alarm systems, radio, electrical issues and a defective…
As the original owner of a 1996 saturn SC1 with 68,000 miles, this car has had four head gaskets replaced originating when this car was under a year old. in addition to these repeated catastrophic engine failures multiple replacements of alarm systems, radio, electrical issues and a defective front seat. this IS what I purchased from saturn and I have all documentation. the most recent head gasket failure occurred in november '06. As I was exasperated by saturn and this vehicle I was sold, I sued the saturn corporation in the richmond county small claims division for the cost of the fourth head gasket. *tr
- Unknown or other
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sc. the contact stated that when he purchased the vehicle, the dashboard had one long crack and one short crack. the current mileage IS 42,000 and failure mileage was 33,000.
- Latches/locks/linkages
I drive a 1996 saturn SC-1. while trying to back out of the driveway yesterday, the gearshift went "limp" and I was unable to put the car into gear and drive. I removed the center console, and found that what I later found out to be the "shifter linkage bushing" had broken in half, and would need…
I drive a 1996 saturn SC-1. while trying to back out of the driveway yesterday, the gearshift went "limp" and I was unable to put the car into gear and drive. I removed the center console, and found that what I later found out to be the "shifter linkage bushing" had broken in half, and would need to be replaced. should have been a simple fix. after two auto parts stores, the saturn dealership, and a lot of online research, I find out that saturn decided to stop making that part, and that the only way to fix the problem IS to replace the entire cable assembly going into the transmission. so, for a .50 cent part, I would be forced to pay several hundred dollars to get this fixed, as replacing a bushing IS something I am capable of doing at home, but cracking open the transmission IS not. I am appalled that saturn doesn't make or carry the parts to replace an item on a car that IS only 8 years old. I realize they still have a fix for this, but I would categorize that fix as extortion. I thought I was alo0ne with this problem, but it IS well documented on the web by other saturn owners. here IS a good link to a forum discussing this: http://www.chaosmagnet.com/blog/archives/000112.html I am currently using zip ties to keep the linkage in place because I refuse to pay four or five hundred dollars, (the part alone cost almost $200) to fix this. I pray there IS something the nhtsa can do about this, because I can't make enough waves on my own to get anything done about this. thank you in advance.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
Windshield wipers turn "on" in the "off" position. I must turn "on" the wipers in order to turn them "off". No delay wiper speed.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Structure › Body
While driving down the freeway on my way to work in rush hour traffic my car began to shake. as I slowed there was a tearing sound from the drivers front tire. almost instantly parts from that part of the car, such as the fender and wheel well, began breaking off of the car. then I felt…
While driving down the freeway on my way to work in rush hour traffic my car began to shake. as I slowed there was a tearing sound from the drivers front tire. almost instantly parts from that part of the car, such as the fender and wheel well, began breaking off of the car. then I felt something rip out from under the dashboard at my feet and the car began to practically steer itself, I realized that I was in trouble. I was able to get the car off the road without hurting myself or anyone else. when I got out of the car I could see that from the front bumper to the front of the drivers side door the car had been stripped down to the frame. the main wiring harness that runs from the battery, through the side of the car and into the dash had been ripped out and wrapped around the front axel. this has resulted in my vehicle being a total loss. The estimate for repairs IS $3,600.00 and once the car IS repaired there IS no guarantee that there may be further damage within the electrical system of the car. the insurance company will be picking the car up from the shop tomorrow. there IS no reason why the main wiring harness for a vehicle should be wired through a fiberglass fender assembly and secured to it. this IS a major design problem.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling
Head gasket blown, head cracked, engine oil and coolant mixing. This IS a well known manufacturer's defect. Saturn says they will not cover the expenses as I am out of the warranty period (6 years or 100,000 miles)
- Electrical system › Horn
The vehicle IS currently experiencing horn problems. The fuse have to be removed in order for the horn to stop blowing. Currently, vehicle IS being driven without the use of the horn. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified, but they insist that a recall has not been initiated. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling
June 1999 saturn sent a notice regarding the cylinder head defect that may occur. They extended warranty to 100,000 miles or 6 years. However knowing there IS a defect in their workmanship, I attempted contact with less than 69,000 miles on my saturn when the cylinder head showed all the signs of a…
June 1999 saturn sent a notice regarding the cylinder head defect that may occur. They extended warranty to 100,000 miles or 6 years. However knowing there IS a defect in their workmanship, I attempted contact with less than 69,000 miles on my saturn when the cylinder head showed all the signs of a crack. This included oil in the radiator. Saturn accepts no liability for this seeing it out of the six year warranty period. However it IS well within the 100,000 mile mileage period.
- Power train › Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly
Shift linkage bushing unavailable for replacement from manufacturer.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling
Cylinder head cracked. nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
During rainy weather anti-lock brakes locked up causing vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. *tt
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Apparently saturn and gm knew that the valve body assembly in this model was wrong. I have taken it to two different saturn dealers and was never told of this recurring problem. my car IS in the shop for the second time to have this problem specifically adressed. the car thuds into reverse and has trouble going into gear. it also tugs when shifting. mr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Vehicle would stall periodically without any type of prior warning. vehicle has been taken to dealer on six different occasions, and dealer replaced cranked sensor/idle speed control motor, and turned screw for idle and etc. although repairs were done, it did not remedy the problem. also, manufacturer was contacted by dealer. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Child seat
Front of rear seats are high-back of seat IS low-child car seats do not fit properly unless you put something under the seat to support it-which IS against the law and not safe for the child-i was told by saturn they could not help me with the problem-2 men from saturn told me to put a rolled up towel under the seat to make it fit.
- Vehicle speed control
While driving cruise control automatically took off, causing sudden acceleration up to 90 mp. ,Consumer tried taking the car out of gear, but nothing solved the problem save cutting the car off. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle continually leaks water into vehicle causing damage to the electrical system as well as carpeting etc.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Cylinder head cracked at 52000, second port developed a crack allowing oil into cooling system.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
During collision seat back collapsed.
- Air bags · Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
While in collision, the seat belt tore loose and did not protect consumer.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering column makes clicking noise when turning left. *Dh
- Suspension › Front
Vehicle has poor stability,pulling either sides due to right wheel being bent causing frame to shift, vehicle purchased in this condition on 01/03/96. *Ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10233366This service bulletin revision provides a repair procedure to Remove Debris from Evaporator Case, Disinfect evaporator or Apply Cooling coil coating and install blower motor control module to correct a customer concern of A/C Odor at start-up.
- 614008Some customers may comment about abnormal wear or a cut on the inboard edge of the driver or passenger seat back cover.
Every Saturn SC model year
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