1998 Saturn SC1 recalls & problems
The 1998 Saturn SC1 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 39 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (14 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints39filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 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* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline | 14 | 54,500 mi |
| Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Anchorage | 10 | 47,741 mi |
| Visibility Sun/moon roof assembly; Power window devices and controls | 5 | — |
| Electrical system Horn; Wiring | 5 | 47,741 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Cruise control | 3 | — |
| Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission | 3 | — |
| Air bags Frontal; Side/window | 3 | 20,000 mi |
| Seats Front assembly › Recliner | 2 | — |
| Structure Body; Body › Door | 2 | — |
| Suspension Front | 2 | — |
| Tires Tread/belt; Sidewall | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Dec 4, 2009 · 20,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal
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 - Jun 11, 2009 · 97,693 milesEngine and engine cooling
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 - Jun 3, 2005 · 56,000 milesVisibility › 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 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 - May 13, 2008 · 75,000 milesPower 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 - Apr 10, 2005 · 113,000 miles · crashAir bags › Frontal
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… - May 4, 2005Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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 &… - Dec 13, 2000 · 47,741 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
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 - Oct 5, 2004 · 77,000 milesEngine 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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.