Skip to content
VINDecoder360
Menu

NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2001

Saturn SC1 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 252 owner complaints for the Saturn SC1, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The 1997 model year drew the most complaints (61), and Engine and Engine Cooling is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Saturn SC1 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 252 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (1995–2001)
  • most complaints: 1997 (61 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine and Engine Cooling (44 complaints)
  • latest recall 00V310000 (reported Oct 12, 2000)
  • 43 complaints reporting a crash (17.1%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (0.4%)
  • 29 complaints reporting an injury (11.5%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Saturn SC1 complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1997 model year has the most complaints: 61 of 252, or 24.2%. Next come 1995 (59) and 1996 (39). The fewest are for 2000, with 8 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Saturn SC1 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2001Column chart of 252 complaints across 7 model years. The highest is 1997 with 61. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 59 complaints5919951996: 39 complaints3919961997: 61 complaints6119971998: 39 complaints3919981999: 21 complaints2119992000: 8 complaints820002001: 25 complaints252001
Saturn SC1 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Saturn SC1 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
19955910090
1996396120
1997617050
1998395030
1999218060
200083010
2001254030
All model years252431290

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Saturn SC1 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often, in 44 complaints (17.5% of all 252), followed by Electrical System (38) and Seat Belts (32).

Components named most often in Saturn SC1 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Saturn SC1 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine and Engine Cooling4417.5%
Electrical System3815.1%
Seat Belts3212.7%
Power Train3011.9%
Seats2710.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic239.1%
Air Bags218.3%
Visibility207.9%
Tires114.4%
Vehicle Speed Control114.4%
Steering104.0%
Structure104.0%
Equipment62.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline62.4%
Parking Brake62.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Saturn SC1 recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name SC1, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2001. The 1997 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Saturn SC1 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1995: 1 campaign1996: no campaigns1997: 3 campaigns1998: no campaigns1999: no campaigns
2000: 2 campaigns2001: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 00V310000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch

    Model years 2000–2001

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V309000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model years 2000–2001

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 99V045000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 1995

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 97V162000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model year 1997

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 97V161000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Retractor

    Model year 1997

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 96V153000

    Reported

    Seats

    Model year 1997

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Saturn SC1 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Saturn SC1 have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Saturn SC1, covering model years 1995 to 2001. The most recent, 00V310000, was reported on October 12, 2000 and is filed under “Power train”. The 1997 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Saturn SC1 model year has the most complaints?

The 1997 model year, with 61 of the 252 complaints in NHTSA’s file (24.2%). The next are 1995 (59) and 1996 (39). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Saturn SC1 complaint?

Engine and Engine Cooling is the component named most often: 44 complaints, or 17.5% of all 252. Electrical System (38) and Seat Belts (32) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Saturn SC1?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Saturn dealer.

How many Saturn SC1 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 252 complaints, 43 report a crash, 1 a fire, 29 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Saturn models

8 models · most complaints first

The Saturn models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Saturn VIN decoder with every Saturn model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Saturn Ion 2003–2008 · 10 recalls · 4,343 complaints
  • Saturn Vue 2002–2010 · 7 recalls · 2,351 complaints
  • Saturn SL 1995–2002 · 12 recalls · 1,605 complaints
  • Saturn LS 2000–2004 · 12 recalls · 1,458 complaints
  • Saturn Aura 2000–2010 · 5 recalls · 1,439 complaints
  • Saturn Outlook 2007–2010 · 10 recalls · 1,352 complaints
  • Saturn Sky 2007–2010 · 5 recalls · 516 complaints
  • Saturn SC 1995–2002 · 12 recalls · 201 complaints

All Saturn models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.