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Model year record

1997 Saturn EV1 recalls & problems

The 1997 Saturn EV1 has 5 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints4filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicNov 13, 2000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 00V369000455 vehicles

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH WHEEL SPEED CIRCUITRY IN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) WHICH CAN CEASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL EXHIBIT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, A DISABLED REAR BRAKE SYSTEM, A DISABLED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AND/OR A DISABLED REGENERATIVE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS COULD INCREASE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BTCM, THE BALLSCREW ASSEMBLIES IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE, AND INSTALL NEW SOFTWARE.
Electrical systemMar 3, 2000

12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 00V069100489 vehicles

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: GENERATION 1 ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A CHARGE PORT ASSEMBLY THAT COULD FAIL DURING A CHARGING EVENT.
Risk
HEAT COULD BUILD UP WITHIN THE CHARGE PORT AND A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Fix
THESE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE REPURCHASED BY SATURN/GM.
Service brakes, airJul 28, 1998

Antilock › Control unit/module

Recall 98V169000607 vehicles

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. A TRANSISTOR WITHIN THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE (BTCM) CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT TO GROUND. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM."
Risk
AS A RESULT, VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF FRONT BRAKE ASSIST, INCREASING THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE.
Service brakes, hydraulicJul 1, 1997

Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V109000211 vehicles

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DAMAGED O-RING IN THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR. INVOLVED VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP AN EXTERNAL BRAKE FLUID LEAK IN ONE OR BOTH OF THE BRAKE PRESSUREMODULATOR VALVE SOLENOIDS.
Risk
BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE COULD REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SOLENOID(S) ON THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR.
Electrical systemMar 20, 1997

Electrical system

Recall 97V042000264 vehicles

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A DRIVE MOTOR CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY THAT WAS INCOMPLETELY SEALED. INCOMPLETE SEALING CAN ALLOW WATER TO INTRUDE INTO THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
Risk
DURING CHARGING A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR. AN ARC AT THE SHORT CIRCUIT CAN GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO CREATE SMOKE AND/OR A FLAME. IF A FLAME OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVE MOTOR BATTERY CHARGER RECEPTACLE ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery4010—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations