- The problem
- Vehicle description: electric passenger vehicles and pickup trucks containing a nickel metal hydride (nimh) battery pack. These vehicles contain software within the battery pack module intended to disable the vehicle from being driven if the electrical resistance with the battery pack exceeds a prescribed value. Affected vehicles will illuminate the "service now" and "reduced performance" telltales and continue to function in a reduced performance model instead of being disabled.
- The risk
- If the telltales are ignored and the affected vehicle continues to be driven, heat could build up and a fire could result.
- The fix
- Dealers will install revised software in the battery pack module.
Vehicle safety record
1999 Saturn EV1 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1999 Saturn EV1 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in November 2000 for the 12v / 24v / 48v battery.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical EV1 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1999 Saturn EV1 recalls 4
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 ii electric vehicles. Some replacement charger receptacle assemblies used for warranty repairs were built with internal component variation. This variation can generate arcing during the charge cycle.
- The risk
- Extended arcing during the charge cycle could lead to a vehicle fire and/or personal injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the serial number on the charge receptacle and, if necessary, replace the charge receptacle assembly.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain generation ii electric vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "Controls and displays." These vehicles were produced with a courtesy lamp control circuit in the right-hand junction block which can fail. If this occurs, the interior lamps will remain illuminated and cannot be controlled by the driver once the doors are closed and the vehicle is in motion.
- The risk
- If this were to occur during a night-time driving situation, the driver's vision could be impaired.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the right-hand junction block.
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1999 Saturn EV1 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Saturn EV1: every year compared
All EV1 years1999 Saturn EV1 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Saturn EV1 | 0 | 4 | C | |
| 1999 Saturn SL | 193 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn SC | 24 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn SC1 | 21 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn SW | 16 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn Coupe | 3 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn Sedan | 2 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn Wagon | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1999 Saturn S-Series Wagons | 1 | 0 | - | 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 1999 Saturn EV1
Does the 1999 Saturn EV1 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1999 Saturn EV1: 12v / 24v / 48v battery (November 2000); wiring (November 2000); interior lighting (November 2000); service brakes, hydraulic (November 2000). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1999 Saturn EV1 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1999 Saturn EV1 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 1999 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