Model year record
1996 Saturn Sc recalls & problems
The 1996 Saturn Sc has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 26 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (6 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Saturn Sc.
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.
Fuel economy
SC
| City / highway | 25 / 36 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
SC
| City / highway | 23 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
SC
| City / highway | 22 / 32 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
SC
| City / highway | 21 / 31 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator; Horn | 6 | 80,200 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline | 6 | 68,825 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc | 4 | — |
| StructureBody; Frame and members | 4 | 91,831 mi |
| SuspensionFront; Rear | 3 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner | 3 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlCruise control | 2 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly | 2 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar | 1 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Anchorage | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- 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.
- Structure › BodyCrash1 injury
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 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.
- Engine and engine cooling
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 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…
- 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 › Interior/under dash
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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.