- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some front seat back recliner gear teeth may wear excessively through repeated use, and could cause the seat back to slip partially rearward when force is applied.
- The risk
- If this happens while the vehicle is being driven, it could cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the front seat recliner mechanisms.
Vehicle safety record
1994 Saturn SC Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the 1994 Saturn SC with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (30) and the airbags (5). Those complaints describe 8 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 1999 for the seats. For comparison, the 1993 has 23 and the 1995 has 39.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical SC year, for its age
#76 most complained-about 1994 vehicle
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1994 Saturn SC problems
Share of all 51 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1994 Saturn SC recalls 1
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
What owners say
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51 complaints about the 1994 Saturn SC
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
The key can be removed in any position, including while running.
1994 Saturn sc. Consumer stated ignition switch was replaced due to the key being stuck inside the ignition. The vehicle also lost power while driving so customer is asking for a refund. *Ss the consumer also stated the headlights opened on their own, while the vehicle was parked and the vehicle shifted out of drive gear on its own, and the rpm's were extremely high. *Jb
While driving 30 mph driver's seat belt would retract back and forth. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
The transmission went in my saturn sc1 and I lost my job due to the fact that I lived alone at the time, and in a remote area....I also have not had it fixed because the cost of a transmission for the car is more than I can afford...Let alone the bill that would insue for having it installed. My co-worker that I work with now..(Borrowing my aunts car, and moved to live with my mom) has a saturn sc2 1995 and his transmission went in his too....Its rediculous...Everyone that I know who owns a saturn sc1 or 2 or has owned one...Has replaced or gotten rid of because of transmissions going. There was no warning what so ever...It just went.
Front drivers side retractor seat belt does not move.*Ak
Front seatback recliner is experiencing same defect as mentioned in recall 99 v 045 000. But this vehicle was not included in recall due to vin. *Ak
Consumer states that driver seat will recline while driving. Nlm
Seat belt will lock in place but will not slide forward when door is opened.*Ak
The drivers side seat belt is stuck in the middle of the door it started out just getting stuck occasionally and then would move all the way back now won't move at all. Talked to 4 other saturn owners and they have the same problem. Now the passenger side seatbelt has started sticking. The engine was so messed up at about 68k they replaced the engine due to poor performance backfiring and leaking oil etc. The sunroof will not latch closed anymore. I went to open it one day and then it wont close. I wanted a...
Read the full complaint
purple saturn since they came out and I finally got one and it has been a nightmare these are just 5 of the most recent things but I have had to get a new alternator, starter and several other minor repairs. I wish I had never ever wanted saturn. I guess it is true be careful what you wish for.
Car burns oil every 500 miles. See webpage "saturnexposed.Com" to see the many other saturn owners who have the same problem. *Ak
Seatback collapsed throwing consumer into the rear seat. A recall has been issued on similar make/ model. However, this vehicle was not included due to vin. Manufacturer has been notified. *Ak *ml
Driver side seatbelt inoperative. Seatbelt will not slide to the lock position. *Yc
Vehicle involved in a rearend collision, causing vehicle to hit another vehicle at approximately 45 mph. Air bags failed to deploy. Dealer notified. *Ak
While driving in the local area vehicle was rearended, and driver's seatback collapsed. Also, driver's side air bag didn't deploy. Contacted manufacturer and was not able to help because of expired warranty. *Ak
The driver's seat fails to remain in an upright position if pressure is applied to it. The seat is not locked in to position & causes concentration problems when driving.*Ak
Fuel system/lines are designed with inadequate protection from road debris, vehicle experienced broken fuel line and leakage due to debris from tire hitting exposed line. Mjs
While driving and if pressing the accelerator for more speed, seat back rest will collapse. This has happened more than 30 times, vehicle was taken to dealersiiip, and consumer was told that there was no problem. *Ak
Part has been identified by manufacturer as may fail, has not failed in our vehicle, no recall, think it is unsafe, request nhtsa investigate for possible recall
Both driver and passenger seatbacks abruptly slipped into the reclining position upon accelerating from a stop. (It was kind of funny when it was the passenger side first, not so funny when the driver's seat started to do it.) On 12/31/98, I paid over $300 to have both seats repaired. I told the saturn dealer that this seemed highly unusual and due to a faulty part. I was assured it was normal "wear and tear." Now the same year (1994) saturns have been recalled, but my dealer said my car is not within the "vin range." I think it is highly unlikely that this is a coincidence or due to normal wear and tear. I feel I am due a complete refund on the amount paid for the repair. *Ak
Ea98017, seatback failure: the seatbacks on driver's and passenger's sides are broken. Driver's seat has reclined back several times while driving vehicle . Dealer is not aware of the problem. *Ak
When starting vehicle driver's shoulder belt would not move into place. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.*Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THOS VEHICLE. *AK
While driving driver's and passenger's seat latch locking mechanism released, causing the seat to recline backwards. Please give any further details. *Ak
Seat back latch failed causing seat to lean back too much.
Fuel tank had a concave look after putting it on rack and needed replacing. Sudden drop in gas mileage, but no leaks. Technician unable to find cause for drop in gas mileage. Reported to bureau of auto repair, investigation pending. *Ak *ml
Saturn SC: every year compared
All SC years1994 Saturn SC vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Saturn SC | 51 | 1 | F | |
| 1994 Saturn SL | 339 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1994 Saturn SC1 | 82 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Saturn SW | 30 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1994 Saturn S-Series Coupe | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1994 Saturn S-Series Wagon | 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 1994 Saturn SC
Does the 1994 Saturn SC have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1994 Saturn SC: seats (March 1999). 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 1994 Saturn SC?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (30), airbags (5), engine & cooling (5).
How many complaints has the 1994 Saturn SC had?
51 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 4, 1995 and the latest on June 4, 2015. Of these, 8 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 1994 Saturn SC a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 22 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Saturn SC 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 SC years have the most complaints?
1994 (51), 1995 (39), 2002 (38). See every Saturn SC year compared.
What should I do if my 1994 Saturn SC 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