- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the btcm, the ballscrew assemblies in the brake pressure modulator valve, and install new software.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Saturn EV1 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1997 Saturn EV1 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (4). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in November 2000 for the service brakes, hydraulic.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical EV1 year, for its age
#209 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Saturn EV1 problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Saturn EV1 recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: generation 1 electric passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with a charge port assembly that could fail during a charging event.
- The risk
- Heat could build up within the charge port and a fire could result.
- The fix
- These passenger vehicles were repurchased by saturn/gm.
- The 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."
- The risk
- As a result, vehicles can experience a loss of front brake assist, increasing the brake pedal travel, and vehicle stopping distance.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the brake torque control module.
- The 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.
- The risk
- Brake fluid leakage could reduce brake effectiveness and increase stopping distances.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the solenoid(s) on the brake pressure modulator.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the drive motor battery charger receptacle assembly and replace it, if necessary.
What owners say
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4 complaints about the 1997 Saturn EV1
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
These vehicles were produced with a charge port assembly that may fail during a charging event, recall issued however owner has not been able to receive new vehicle at this time, recall solution is not sufficient. *Et
Evi vehicle is on recall because a defect in the charge port could cause to overheat (00v-069), however consumer is not happy with it. Yh
Vehicles were built with a charge port assembly prior to recall that may fail during a charging event (00v-069), recall does not remedy the failure. Yh (attorney at law)
Sometimes when the heater was running, I heard a pop noise from left front area of the car. With out warning or engine lights. While charging up electrical battery vehicle caught on fire. *Ak.Et.
Saturn EV1: every year compared
All EV1 years1997 Saturn EV1 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Saturn EV1 | 4 | 5 | D | |
| 1997 Saturn SL | 256 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn SC1 | 61 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn SC | 33 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn SW | 31 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn Coupe | 2 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn Z | 1 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn Wagon | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn S-Series Coupe | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Saturn EV1
Does the 1997 Saturn EV1 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1997 Saturn EV1: service brakes, hydraulic (November 2000); 12v / 24v / 48v battery (March 2000); control unit / module (July 1998); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (July 1997) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn EV1?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (4).
How many complaints has the 1997 Saturn EV1 had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 22, 2000 and the latest on July 21, 2000. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Saturn EV1 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 30 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Saturn EV1 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saturn EV1 years have the most complaints?
1997 (4), 1995 (1). See every Saturn EV1 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Saturn EV1 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data