1996 Saturn SC1 recalls & problems
The 1996 Saturn SC1 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 39 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints39filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Saturn SC1.
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 area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system Horn; 12v/24v/48v battery | 10 | 80,000 mi |
| Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine | 8 | — |
| Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly | 5 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission | 4 | — |
| Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist system | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump | 3 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components | 2 | — |
| Air bags Frontal | 2 | — |
| Structure Frame and members | 2 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 1 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Aug 16, 2012 · 184,000 milesElectrical system
HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT WITH HORN, DEALER REPAIRED LAST TIME 2-20-2010. *TR - Dec 25, 2010 · 150,000 milesStructure › Frame and members
FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON SECOND SATURN. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AND MOTOR TO FAIL BELOW BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO BROKE CV JOINT TO TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON. *TR - Jun 1, 2010Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
1996 SATURN SC2, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF INTO THE ROADWAY AND BROKE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRACKETS RUSTED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0198-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/02/10*JB - Apr 30, 2009 · 95,580 milesEngine and engine cooling
I OWN 1996 SATURN SC2 PURCHASED IN 2007,IT IS SPORTY AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. NOW HOWEVER I AM VERY UNHAPPY,THE STARTER WENT FIRST,THEM THE GENERATOR. THE OTHER DAY MY HUSBANDS SUBARU WAS DOWN WHILE RUNNING HIM FOR PARTS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR STARTED MISSING BUCKING AND LOST POWER,I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME,I AM DISABLED MY HUSBAND IS LAID OFF & DOES ALL REPAIR WORK,HAS TRIED EVERYTHING AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. THE CAR HAS HAD A OIL LEAK SINCE I PURCHASED IT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND WERE IT IS,AND IT JUST GETS WORSE. THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN,I DROVE MY FIRST AN SL1 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPAIR IT. BUT THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND I MUST HAVE A RELIABLE… - May 1, 2006 · 117,980 milesPower train › Manual transmission
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR MANUFACTURER SATURN BECAUSE LIKE MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LITTLE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFTER AND TRANSMISSION CABLE HAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. SATURN SHOULD REPLACE THESE PLASTIC PIECES WITH MORE DURABLE AND RELIABLE ONES BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE OVER 300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A 30 CENT PIECE OF PLASTIC. *NM - Oct 23, 2005 · 110,000 milesParking brake
EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE LOCK FAILURE ON HOT DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK SUDDENLY. REQUIRING CAR TO BE PLACED IN 1ST GEAR TO AVOID ROLL BACK. HAND BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE THE BUTTON THAT HAND SPRUNG FREE FROM THE LEAVER HOLE DUE TO HEAT OF CAR IN THE DAY IT WOULD NOT STAY PUT. *NM - May 1, 2005 · 80,000 milesElectrical system › Horn
I PARKED MY 1996 SATURN SC2 ALONG A STREET AND WENT INTO WORK. WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT TO MY CAR A FEW HOURS LATER, I HEARD A CAR HORN THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. I SOON REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR'S HORN THAT WAS SOUNDING. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO QUIET THE HORN BY PRESSING THE HORN BUTTONS. NOTHING HAPPENED. I OPENED THE HOOD ON THE CAR TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. ALTHOUGH THE HORN WAS VERY WEAK BY NOW, IT WAS STILL SOUNDING. I DROPPED THE HOOD CLOSED, AND THE HORN STOPPED. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THE HORN NOW WOULD NOT OPERATE. I LATER CHECKED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BLOWN. I… - Jul 7, 1997Electrical system
THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SATURN. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO IS ABLE TO FIX IT CORRECTLY. IT HAS NOT CAUSED A SAFETY ISUUE...YET.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.