1993 Saturn SC1
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Saturn › SC1 › 1993
These records cover every 1993 Saturn SC1. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1993 Saturn SC1. Newest first.
The generator electrical wiring IS not protected against excessive current flow which may be caused by an electrical short circuit in the generator.
Risk and remedy
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.
The positive battery cable terminal at the starter solenoid may be formed incorrectly. Incorrectly formed terminals can contact the starter solenoid housing and cause an electric short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
An electrical short circuit between the battery cable andthe starter housing can result in an underhood fire.
Remedy
Inspect and, if necessary, adjust the clearance between the positive battery cable terminal so that it does not contact the starter solenoid housing.
Owner complaints
58 complaints11 involved a crash1 involved a fire7 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats
1993 saturn SC2 front seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and almost injuring passenger in the car. Seat will no longer stay forward which results in seat going back a soon as you press gas pedal. *tr
- Seats
Driver's seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and loss of control of vehicle. Disassembly of the seat and inspection of the recliner mechanism revealed a design defect which makes sudden failure of this mechanism highly likely. For the recliner to hold the seat…
Driver's seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and loss of control of vehicle. Disassembly of the seat and inspection of the recliner mechanism revealed a design defect which makes sudden failure of this mechanism highly likely. For the recliner to hold the seat back in position, two internal operating levers must remain aligned in the same plane. These are held in alignment by a very thin metal plate (about 1MM thick). This plate was bent causing the internal operating levers to misalign and the seat back to collapse. Due to the thinness and lack of strength of the alignment plate, this failure IS extremely likely. Your database shows at least two other similar failures in 1993 saturns. Also note nhtsa ordered a recall for this problem in 1994 saturns. The failed seat back recliner mechanism IS available for inspection by nhtsa personnel. This IS not a normal wear and tear issue, since this seems to be a common problem with other 1993 saturns. *Tr
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Consumer was driving at approximately 25 mph and suddenly the lights went dim and smoke began coming from the front of the vehicle. The service manager told consumer that there was a fire coming from the engine compartment, and the wire that connected to the alternator melted. *ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Lock · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Consumer complained about multiple failures. the trunk failed to close on its own. while driving the trunk would open and would not close, and will not lock. also, consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. the brakes grabbed slowly and caused loss of braking power. consumer took vehicle to dealer for inspection. cause had not been determined. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Structure › Body › Door
Due to plastic door skin (outer paneling ) opening the door in a low speed car accident in addition to passive seat belt falure (intermittently worked)i was ejected from car and left paralyzed. Automatic door locking was rejected by saturn due to cost leaving safety out of concern. *jb
- Seats
Vehicle was stopped when rear ended by vehicle traveling approx. 25 mph. Seat back collapsed on driver's side to 45 degree angle.body shop unable to repair to original condition without replacement.
- Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
The hazard lights stopped flashing without any warning. Please describe further. *ph the turn signals were also inoperative. *jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Generator failed prematurely, causing vehicle to stall while driving. *ak the vehicle was not included in the recall. recall# 93v132000 *scc the consumer stated the alternator failed three times. *jb
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables
The battery cable failed which caused the consumer to replace the battery every year. a recall was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall. *ak the saturn dealer refused to fix the battery cable. recall# 93v094000. *scc *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
The driver seat back did not stay up. *Jb
- Power train › Manual transmission › Column shift assembly
Consumer states this IS third time has change automatic transmision . Dealer has been notified. And problem IS reocuuring. mr
- Seat belts
I am curious as to whether we are the only ones who have experienced this seat belt failure. Because of construction, they have stopped running across the top of the door, and they are expensive to replace.*ak
- Seats
Driver side seat broke, frame of seat IS sticking out, upper part of seat IS flopping back and forth. *jg *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator mounting point on engine block broke, releasing alternator. *Ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Consumer states the driver's seat collapsed backward while getting into vehicle, dealer replaced the seat back adjuster mechanism and less than one week later, the seat collapsed again, consumer returned to dealer and was told that some early models had seat problems, and the dealer adjusted or bent the seat to a more upright position, soon afterwards, the seat collapsed again.*jb
- Tires · Wheels › Rim
While exiting the turnpike the right front tire and rim came off damaging the right front fender (ohio traffic crash report). nlm
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Driver and passenger doors will not open from inside of vehicle. consumer IS taking it to a private mechanic on april 26TH. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor · Interior lighting · Structure › Body › Door
While driving carbon monoxide fumes would be entering vehicle through floorboard. would have static electric charge to left knee. doors were excessively heavy to open or close. door locks failed to be operated properly. panel lights would come on or go off by themselves. Taking vehicle to dealership to have mechanic check it out. *ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
Vehicle IS experiencing electrical problems along with the failing of the alternator and the battery, the battery IS replaced once a year. *slc
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While driving at 5-10 mph another vehicle traveling at 35 mph rear ended consumer's vehicle. driver's seatback fell into a child booster seat which was placed behind on driver's side. seat fell on top of child's leg and broke leg. please provide further information. *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
While driving driver's seatback moved unexpectedly which may cause a loss of vehicle control and a crash. dealer was not willing to help consumer. dealer said needed to replace both sides of the seat recliner. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Failed previously, paid $1600 to saturn in 98 and problem was not fixed. 1-CYL was replaced with this work in addition to several other things. Engine practically rebuilt. Existed prior to this around 1995-1997 and was reported and taken to saturn dealers who did absolutely nothing after several…
Failed previously, paid $1600 to saturn in 98 and problem was not fixed. 1-CYL was replaced with this work in addition to several other things. Engine practically rebuilt. Existed prior to this around 1995-1997 and was reported and taken to saturn dealers who did absolutely nothing after several times of bringing in the vehicle. Oil loss which means it's burning up someplace because it's not dripping from underneath. I had a diagnostic done and all that's said IS that there IS an oil consumption problem. The vehicle runs very rough and IS not reliable.
- Unknown or other
No summary
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and loss of control of vehicle. Disassembly of the seat and inspection of the recliner mechanism revealed a design defect which makes sudden failure of this mechanism highly likely. For the recliner to hold the seat…
Driver's seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and loss of control of vehicle. Disassembly of the seat and inspection of the recliner mechanism revealed a design defect which makes sudden failure of this mechanism highly likely. For the recliner to hold the seat back in position, two internal operating levers must remain aligned in the same plane. These are held in alignment by a very thin metal plate (< 1MM thick). This plate was bent causing the internal operating levers to misalign and the seat back to collapse. Due to the thinness and lack of strength of the alignment plate, this failure IS extremely likely. Your database shows at least two other similar failures in 1993 saturns. Also note nhtsa ordered a recall for this problem in 1994 saturns. The failed seat back recliner mechanism IS available for inspection by nhtsa personnel. This IS not a normal wear and tear issue. *ak
- Seat belts
The motorized shoulder belt gradually stopped moving in either direction. nlm
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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.improved quality control procedures and design modificationsin the system were undertaken to ensure a more consistent level of system performance.the details of these findings and the resulting conclusions are contained inthe subject engineering analysis closing report.a safety-related defect trend was not identified at ehis time and further use of agency resources does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
- Cruise control failure
There is no summary currently available
Every Saturn SC1 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.