1998 Saturn SC1
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Saturn › SC1 › 1998
These records cover every 1998 Saturn SC1. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
39 complaints5 involved a crash3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Side/window
While my grandson was driving my 1998 saturn SC2, another vehicle hit the car on the drivers' side and the airbags did not deployed. *Tr
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling · Seat belts
During the smog test, my car overheated but the temp. Gauge did not indicate it was hot. the temp gauge was registering that the car was running at it's usual temperature. I have always gotten my oil changed when I'm suppose to, and I've had the engine flushed to try and keep it in good…
During the smog test, my car overheated but the temp. Gauge did not indicate it was hot. the temp gauge was registering that the car was running at it's usual temperature. I have always gotten my oil changed when I'm suppose to, and I've had the engine flushed to try and keep it in good mechanical condition. it also IS not starting at times, and today it was making a slight jerking motion as if a fuel filter IS clogging. I've replaced the catalytic converter, & a couple of sensors. plus, my seat belts have never retracted correctly and frequently get caught in the door. *Tr
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Sun roof rails, after a great deal of research I have found the clips that the sunroof runs along to raise and return the window to its closed position, are defective. the company's answer to this problem IS to sell you a very expensive replacement kit in which most of the parts are not even…
Sun roof rails, after a great deal of research I have found the clips that the sunroof runs along to raise and return the window to its closed position, are defective. the company's answer to this problem IS to sell you a very expensive replacement kit in which most of the parts are not even necessary. this IS such a common problem with the clips, that there are actually company's that sell the parts around this problem that sell non defective replacement parts that permanently fix the problem. *Tr
- Latches/locks/linkages · Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission shift cable, just broke while driving. after doing some research, I found this IS a very common problem with the saturn SC2. the plastic ball that holds the cable in the shift lever commonly breaks. instead of selling a device to repair the cable, the require you to buy the entire cable that costs around $500.00. *Tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Latches/locks/linkages · Seat belts › Front · Unknown or other
The indicator lights do not work properly. I get the proper maintenance required, yet the oil IS now running out everywhere (69,000 mi.). why doesn't the warning light come on, or flash - anything to warn me when the oil doesn't even register on the dip stick? I checked the oil, 1 minute later I…
The indicator lights do not work properly. I get the proper maintenance required, yet the oil IS now running out everywhere (69,000 mi.). why doesn't the warning light come on, or flash - anything to warn me when the oil doesn't even register on the dip stick? I checked the oil, 1 minute later I drove 35 miles at a top speed of 67. the temperature guage wasn't even at the 1/2 way point, but when I stopped the car I could smell the car was hot, & the oil did not register on the dip stick. the only indicator light that works properly IS the low fuel. the car has always rattled, & the glove box handle just broke off. the front seat belts do not retract most of the time, causing the strap & buckle to get caught in the door. the passenger seat would slide back when accelerating & forward when braking (seat belt not locking into place either). now it IS stuck in one position. I have taken it to the dealer on 1 occassion for that, at least 2 times for the interior light, 2 times for sensors, & more. to end this, I am distraught at the moment, it appears as if my car has bathed in oil from the middle of the engine, all the way down & all over the underneath of the car. the plug gasket was mangled, changed, & still did not remedy the situation. my only transportation to a job interview this week!
- Air bags › Frontal · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
While driving at approximately 65 mph the consumer swerved to avoid hitting the braking car in front of her. the consumer swerved into the right lane, overcompensated and turn 180 degrees. in doing so, the passenger side slammed against a guardrail. the vehicle was forced head on into traffic an…
While driving at approximately 65 mph the consumer swerved to avoid hitting the braking car in front of her. the consumer swerved into the right lane, overcompensated and turn 180 degrees. in doing so, the passenger side slammed against a guardrail. the vehicle was forced head on into traffic an up a stone embankment at 50 mph. upon impact the air bags never deployed. prior to losing control the consumer felt as though the vehicle was accelerating as she was trying to brake. the cruise control button was switched to on but it was not engaged. even after the vehicle had come to a complete stop the vehicle continued to rev as if in high gear. in may of 2000 the cruise control was replaced because of a similar problem. the adjuster was unable to determine conclusively that the cruise control was the cause of the accident. the driver was 17 weeks pregnant at time of the accident*ak *bf *nm
- Electrical system › Horn · Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
1998 saturn SC2- cam cover leak- 12/13/02 same cam cover leak 10/26/04 paid for it twice... $98.86 and 76.98. electrical nightmare- electric window failed- sun roof motor failed- wants $925.00 to fix- horn had internal short 10/26/04 $112.11, weatherstripping replace on drivers door 5/7/01, belt tensioner replace 12/13/02, idler pulley replaced 10/26/04. Exhaust replaced 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I own a 1998 saturn SC2 and I have had many costly problems with it. On october 5, 2004 the engine failed because of a timing chain and now the whole engine will have to be rebuilt. Prior to this incident, the car has been consuming an enormous amount of oil. In march of 2004 I had to have the fuel injectors and O2 sensor replaced. I have had many expensive problems with this car. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The head on the engine block failed while driving on the highway. the head was full of holes, it was discovered by the dealer. saturn refused the claim unless the vehicle was towed to another dealer. *jb the vehicle smoked so bad that it almost caused a serious accident in which oil spilled over the highway. *sc *jb
- Seat belts › Front
Passenger side front seat belt has never worked properly. the problem IS intermittent. while vehicle IS in motion it will tighten up so that the passenger cannot move, and passenger panics. at times, when passenger enters vehicle, belt will not pull out... Sometimes the door has to be opened…
Passenger side front seat belt has never worked properly. the problem IS intermittent. while vehicle IS in motion it will tighten up so that the passenger cannot move, and passenger panics. at times, when passenger enters vehicle, belt will not pull out... Sometimes the door has to be opened and closed, and the belt fiddled with before it will pull out in order to be used. I do not want to drive with unrestrained passengers. my brother and I have owned this vehicle since new, and we have had this in the shop several times. the belt was replaced several times, and it did not make a difference. no problem with driver side belt. I took it in again today and was told again that there was nothing wrong with it. I beg to differ.. A belt that refuses to pull out and/or tries to strangle my passengers has something wrong with it!!!*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
At 60-65 mph driver heard a knocking sound. The noise level increased rapidly, then, engine stalled. Vehicle was in traveling lane on the highway, consumer exited vehicle, and ran to shoulder. Vehicle was rear ended by 5-6 different vehicles.*ak dealer stated engine seized due to no oil in…
At 60-65 mph driver heard a knocking sound. The noise level increased rapidly, then, engine stalled. Vehicle was in traveling lane on the highway, consumer exited vehicle, and ran to shoulder. Vehicle was rear ended by 5-6 different vehicles.*ak dealer stated engine seized due to no oil in reservoir, this caused a hole in the engine block. Consumer had oil change done 200 miles prior to this incident. please provide dollar amount of damage to vehicle.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Consumer states that while driving check engine light comes on. Dealer notified.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
I am the owner of a 1998 saturn SC2, I bought it in may of 2001, in august of 2001 it began to start acting up. when I am in neutral or in gear with the clutch all the way in, and also when I am just driving down the road, engine will rev for no reason. I notice that my engine IS revving higher…
I am the owner of a 1998 saturn SC2, I bought it in may of 2001, in august of 2001 it began to start acting up. when I am in neutral or in gear with the clutch all the way in, and also when I am just driving down the road, engine will rev for no reason. I notice that my engine IS revving higher than usual. when I stop it will go from 1000 rpms to 3000 rpms and will stay that way until I cut off, and will sometimes just drop back down to 1000 all while I am just sitting there. I have gone to the saturn dealer a few times and to 2 other garages in my areas. the have said that they have checked everything and could not find anything wrong and for me just to cut off the engine if it revs to high. that IS the only advise that I was given. I emailed the saturn headquarters and they advised me to do the same thing. I know that this IS not the normal activity of a car. I am currently a college student working part time and I can not take a chance that this IS a major problem with my car or that the car dies all together. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Intermittent stalling whenever vehicle comes to a stop or cruises along without foot pressing on the accelerator pedal. Vehicle was inspected on one occasion, and consumer was informed that the problem could not be duplicated. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
While driving the vehicles check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle overheated. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling
The vehicle over heated without warning. *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belt retractor on driver side no longer works, this allows the belt to become caught in the door, damaging the strap. *jb
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
While driving with the defrost/recirculation feature on, the frost from the air conditioner cooling coils cover the windshield with vapor resulting in poor visibility. *tt *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Oil pressure suddenly changed and fumes came from under hood. I pulled car off interstate immediately and checked under hood. Upon checking oil, found that it was completely dry. I have kept regular maintenance on car, as can be verified by saturn. Was told that engine would have to be replaced. The car IS a 1998 saturn SC2 with 91,000 miles.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Consumer states driver?s side retractor failed and was fixed, it IS starting to fail again, passenger side has also failed. Consumer believes that the safety belts in the front seat of the car use an inferior retractor mechanism, consumer states when the retracting system fails, it IS difficult to locate and wear the belts, the belt gets slammed in the door and caught in the seat adjustment mechanism. *yd
- Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Sunroof blew off while car was traveling 25 mph. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
While driving vehicle, seat belt automatically disengages by itself, it does not stay locked while driving. *Ak consumer stated the problem gets worse when the weather IS cold, the belt would disengage when stopping or slowing down.*slc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The master cylinder failed X2 resulting in my rear ending a jeep. The repair cost to the car and to replace the defective master cylinder cost me over $1500 out of pocket . This should not have failed in less than 70,000 miles. The 2ND time it went out I was on the freeway and fortunately was able…
The master cylinder failed X2 resulting in my rear ending a jeep. The repair cost to the car and to replace the defective master cylinder cost me over $1500 out of pocket . This should not have failed in less than 70,000 miles. The 2ND time it went out I was on the freeway and fortunately was able to get off and use my emergency brake to get it to the shop. This IS not acceptable as saturn IS supposed to be a reliable car. To have a major safety issue in a car with approx 26K on it IS just not an optionl.
- Tires › Sidewall
This tire suffered a catastrophic failure at 65 m.p.h. For no apparent reason on a straight stretch of highway. I have personally checked the inflation and wear patterns on these tires weekly, inflating them per saturn's recomended p.s.i (posted in the door jam). these tires are nowhere near the…
This tire suffered a catastrophic failure at 65 m.p.h. For no apparent reason on a straight stretch of highway. I have personally checked the inflation and wear patterns on these tires weekly, inflating them per saturn's recomended p.s.i (posted in the door jam). these tires are nowhere near the wear-bar indicators, and show absolutely no irregular wear due to misalignment etc. Etc. the sidewalls completely (and instantly) separated from the tread, it IS a clean separation similar to that which IS regularly seen on tractor-trailer retread failures. I still posess the failed tire, and showed it to the firestone dealer. he was reasonable, and offered me a discount rate on replacement tires. there IS no explanation for this failure, and if it woud have occurred on a curve in the road a potentially damaging accident may have taken place. I believe this tire was defective, and therefore am reporting it to you in the hope that if this IS a common occurence a warning may be posted. a saturn coupe has a very low center of gravity, and this IS the only reason my car did not lose control (or overturn). if you wish to obtain a picture of this tire please e-mail me at the given address (rtaylor229@yahoo.com). I will be more than happy to scan in a picture. if I am not contacted by october-5-01 I will assume that it IS o.k. For me to dispose of the tire carcass. thank you. *Ak (dot number: w2v9vfb217 tiresize: p195/60r15)
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tread separation. tread came completely off tire. steal belt IS showing and there IS a hole in the tire. caused body damage to car. I am not sure what the numbers are , but I have two sets of numbers for the tires. one set IS bm01854-1 the other IS p195/60r15 87H mts. very unsafe tires.
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.
- 600228Experiencing a rattle or click noise from the rear of vehicle when turning at slow speeds and/or driving over uneven surfaces.
Every Saturn SC1 model year
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