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Vehicle safety record

1996 Saturn SC Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SC with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (7) and the body, doors & structure (5). Those complaints describe 3 crashes and 4 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1995 has 39 and the 1997 has 33.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical SC year, for its age

#117 most complained-about 1996 vehicle

Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Deaths
0

Most common 1996 Saturn SC problems

Share of all 26 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1996 Saturn SC

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Saturn SC. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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26 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SC

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Body, doors & structureSeats & seat belts

Drivers seat won't stay in upright position when I lean back with slight pressure, whether I am in motion or not. This has been an ongoing problem for about a month. As a previous owner of many cars, I have never heard of this type of problem. Also the trunk latch is not operable using the cable.

Filed Incident Structure · SeatsNHTSA 11162800
Body, doors & structureBrakesEngine & coolingCrash1 injury

Ligthly applied brake to slow down to stop at intersection; though I had foot pressing hard on brake car would not stop, entered intersection and struck a passing car; this was within an hour of picking up the car from garage where repairs had been done because of this problem; air bags did not activate at impact

Filed Incident Structure · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10948081
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 sc1 saturn. The contact stated that the horn sounded independently while the vehicle was parked overnight. The vehicle was not equipped with an anti-theft system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection who advised that the fuse would have to be removed in order to shut the horn off. In addition, the horn assembly would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was contacted and stated that the contact's vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 18,782.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10461447
Engine & coolingElectrical systemSeats & seat beltsEquipment & accessories

As the original owner of a 1996 saturn sc1 with 68,000 miles, this car has had four head gaskets replaced originating when this car was under a year old. In addition to these repeated catastrophic engine failures multiple replacements of alarm systems, radio, electrical issues and a defective front seat. This is what I purchased from saturn and I have all documentation. The most recent head gasket failure occurred in november '06. As I was exasperated by saturn and this vehicle I was sold, I sued the saturn corporation in the richmond county small claims division for the cost of the fourth head gasket. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Seats · EquipmentNHTSA 10218841
Other & unknown

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sc. The contact stated that when he purchased the vehicle, the dashboard had one long crack and one short crack. The current mileage is 42,000 and failure mileage was 33,000.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 10193796
Body, doors & structure

I drive a 1996 saturn sc-1. While trying to back out of the driveway yesterday, the gearshift went "limp" and I was unable to put the car into gear and drive. I removed the center console, and found that what I later found out to be the "shifter linkage bushing" had broken in half, and would need to be replaced. Should have been a simple fix. After two auto parts stores, the saturn dealership, and a lot of online research, I find out that saturn decided to stop making that part, and that the only way to fix the...

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problem is to replace the entire cable assembly going into the transmission. So, for a .50 Cent part, I would be forced to pay several hundred dollars to get this fixed, as replacing a bushing is something I am capable of doing at home, but cracking open the transmission is not. I am appalled that saturn doesn't make or carry the parts to replace an item on a car that is only 8 years old. I realize they still have a fix for this, but I would categorize that fix as extortion. I thought I was alo0ne with this problem, but it is well documented on the web by other saturn owners. Here is a good link to a forum discussing this: http://www.Chaosmagnet.Com/blog/archives/000112.Html I am currently using zip ties to keep the linkage in place because I refuse to pay four or five hundred dollars, (the part alone cost almost $200) to fix this. I pray there is something the nhtsa can do about this, because I can't make enough waves on my own to get anything done about this. Thank you in advance.*Ak

Filed Incident Latches / locks / linkagesNHTSA 10096345
Visibility & wipers

Windshield wipers turn "on" in the "off" position. I must turn "on" the wipers in order to turn them "off". No delay wiper speed.*Ak

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10078589
Electrical systemBody, doors & structure

While driving down the freeway on my way to work in rush hour traffic my car began to shake. As I slowed there was a tearing sound from the drivers front tire. Almost instantly parts from that part of the car, such as the fender and wheel well, began breaking off of the car. Then I felt something rip out from under the dashboard at my feet and the car began to practically steer itself, I realized that I was in trouble. I was able to get the car off the road without hurting myself or anyone else. When I got out...

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of the car I could see that from the front bumper to the front of the drivers side door the car had been stripped down to the frame. The main wiring harness that runs from the battery, through the side of the car and into the dash had been ripped out and wrapped around the front axel. This has resulted in my vehicle being a total loss. The estimate for repairs is $3,600.00 And once the car is repaired there is no guarantee that there may be further damage within the electrical system of the car. The insurance company will be picking the car up from the shop tomorrow. There is no reason why the main wiring harness for a vehicle should be wired through a fiberglass fender assembly and secured to it. This is a major design problem.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10072907
Engine & cooling

Head gasket blown, head cracked, engine oil and coolant mixing. This is a well known manufacturer's defect. Saturn says they will not cover the expenses as I am out of the warranty period (6 years or 100,000 miles)

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10069499
Electrical system

The vehicle is currently experiencing horn problems. The fuse have to be removed in order for the horn to stop blowing. Currently, vehicle is being driven without the use of the horn. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified, but they insist that a recall has not been initiated. *Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10042586
Engine & cooling

June 1999 saturn sent a notice regarding the cylinder head defect that may occur. They extended warranty to 100,000 miles or 6 years. However knowing there is a defect in their workmanship, I attempted contact with less than 69,000 miles on my saturn when the cylinder head showed all the signs of a crack. This included oil in the radiator. Saturn accepts no liability for this seeing it out of the six year warranty period. However it is well within the 100,000 mile mileage period.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10030438
Transmission & drivetrain

Shift linkage bushing unavailable for replacement from manufacturer.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10025694
Engine & cooling

CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. NLM

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 786205
BrakesCrash2 injuries

During rainy weather anti-lock brakes locked up causing vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. *Tt

Filed Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 568365
Transmission & drivetrain

Apparently saturn and gm knew that the valve body assembly in this model was wrong. I have taken it to two different saturn dealers and was never told of this recurring problem. My car is in the shop for the second time to have this problem specifically adressed. The car thuds into reverse and has trouble going into gear. It also tugs when shifting. Mr

Filed Power trainNHTSA 767957
Engine & coolingAcceleration & cruise control

Vehicle would stall periodically without any type of prior warning. Vehicle has been taken to dealer on six different occasions, and dealer replaced cranked sensor/idle speed control motor, and turned screw for idle and etc. Although repairs were done, it did not remedy the problem. Also, manufacturer was contacted by dealer. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 889492
Engine & cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 737121
Seats & seat belts

Front of rear seats are high-back of seat is low-child car seats do not fit properly unless you put something under the seat to support it-which is against the law and not safe for the child-i was told by saturn they could not help me with the problem-2 men from saturn told me to put a rolled up towel under the seat to make it fit.

Filed Child seatNHTSA 713028
Acceleration & cruise control

While driving cruise control automatically took off, causing sudden acceleration up to 90 mp. ,Consumer tried taking the car out of gear, but nothing solved the problem save cutting the car off. *Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 850106
Body, doors & structure

Vehicle continually leaks water into vehicle causing damage to the electrical system as well as carpeting etc.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 543853
Brakes

Cylinder head cracked at 52000, second port developed a crack allowing oil into cooling system.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 540307
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

DURING COLLISION SEAT BACK COLLAPSED.

Filed SeatsNHTSA 523849
Equipment & accessories

A/C SYSTEM FAILED.

Filed Incident EquipmentNHTSA 521860
Brakes

GLAZED ROTORS CAUSE BRAKES TO SQUEAL.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 505886
Suspension

Vehicle has poor stability,pulling either sides due to right wheel being bent causing frame to shift, vehicle purchased in this condition on 01/03/96. *Ak

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 980442

Saturn SC: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20007720Electrical systemC
199924151Engine & coolingC
199813010Transmission & drivetrainA
199733341Electrical systemD
199626030Engine & coolingC
1995392100Seats & seat beltsD
199451181Seats & seat beltsF
199323140Seats & seat beltsC
199217211Seats & seat beltsB
All SC years

1996 Saturn SC vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 1996 Saturn SC

Does the 1996 Saturn SC have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Saturn SC right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Saturn SC?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (7), body, doors & structure (5), brakes (4).

How many complaints has the 1996 Saturn SC had?

26 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 16, 1996 and the latest on December 20, 2018. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1996 Saturn SC a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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?
What should I do if my 1996 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

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