- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The section of the owner's handbook titled "horizontal aim" does not specifically instruct an owner how to adjust the headlamp horizontal aim. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- A vehicle's headlamp would not be properly adjusted causing visibility problems to oncoming vehicles.
- The fix
- Owners are being provided with a label with the correct information on headlamp horizontal aim to be placed over the existing text in the owner's handbook. If an owner desires, their dealer can place the sticker in the owner's handbook for them.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Saturn SC1 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SC1 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (13) and the transmission & drivetrain (11). Those complaints describe 7 crashes and 6 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in September 1997 for the headlights. For comparison, the 1996 has 39 and the 1998 has 39.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical SC1 year, for its age
#91 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 61
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Saturn SC1 problems
Share of all 61 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Saturn SC1 recalls 3
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: passenger vehicles. If the driver or front passenger safety belt is pulled out much faster than normal, a number of time, the lock-up feature of the retractor will not work properly.
- The risk
- In a rapid deceleration or vehicle crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger safety belt retractor.
- The problem
- The front passenger seats have less lock pawl engagement on the inboard fore/aft adjuster than specified. This does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "Seating systems."
- The risk
- This condition could result in seat movement with a belted occupant during a moderate to severe frontal impact.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger seat inboard fore/aft adjuster.
What owners say
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61 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SC1
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
Drivers seat slides backwards without using the "adjustment lever". Sometimes just backing up at 3-5 mph, also at hwy speeds. Also slides backwards after being adjusted by the driver-always adjusted while parked, never moving. Also, seatbelts worked fine until recall notice (99-2000/"repaired" by jim butler south county saturn, st louis, mo) then would not retract, must feed belts back into slot; will not return to dealer, as too many bad experiences w/this dealership. Approx 2002-03 (approx 80-100k miles)...
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started using 2 qts oil per month, now uses 3+ qts per month minimum. Approx 2009 started using enigine coolant excessively; must carry extra qts oil, 1 gallon engine coolant in car at all times, checking at every fuel fill-up or before leaving home. Battery dead oct 2011, replaced-still loses charge overnight;changed spark plugs, fuses, ignition-could remove key while car still running while stopped. Still sitting in driveway as cannot figure out elec problem. 206K mi. Purch 10-96 with 13 mi on it. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The contact experienced difficulty removing the key from the ignition. He made several attempts before the key released; however, the ignition switch was in the accessory position. The driver maneuvered the key in different positions for approximately five to ten minutes. Suddenly, the ignition key was removed from the designated off position. The failure occurred intermittently and without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and they...
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discovered recall number 97-c02 (ignition cylinder). The manufacturer stated that the vin was excluded from the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 216,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The front passenger seat belt retractor would not retract properly when the front seat was occupied. The seat belt is unable to be used. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a recall repair had been performed in 1997. The contact stated that no repair was made because she did not receive any paperwork showing that the seat belt was repaired. The dealer stated that they would take 10% off of the repair cost. The failure mileage was 109,000. Updated 3/19/09 *cn updated 03/23/09. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The vehicle has sears guarsdman tires. On two separate occasions, the front passenger and rear driver's side tires had a complete blow out. A third tire has a bulge that can be pushed. The failure mileage and tire size were unknown. The current mileage was 128,000. Updated 11/17/08 *bf updated 11/18/08. *Jb
We bought a used saturn 2 years ago from a dealership. Since the day we got the car home we had transmission problems. Mainly when my wife would drive it to get our small children to day care, and she would go to work. When the transmission warmed up it gave her a hard time getting it into gear. Countless times of sitting in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn the light turned red and the opposite traffic got green and started heading toward her honking, she was franticly trying to get the car...
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into gear. Then she would have no choice but to have to injure her hand to slam it into gear to get out of the way as my little ones were crying in the back and she was shaking and upset. We have had vehicle in repair shops countless of times complaining of it, but the extended warranty refused to repair the problem because it was still drivable, according to them. Now as my wife drove our kids to the baby sitters so she could go to work the transmission snapped. About 1 week ago found out the extended warranty expired, and they refused to help. They said we should have filed a report of the problem before it expired,. We explained that we did so many times and they were denied. We have proof from dealerships, but they refused to let us fax the proof. *Ak
I was involved in a rear end collision at a traffic light. My vehicle is a 1998 saturn vin[[redacted]]. I was at a complete stop when a large utility van struck my vehicle. The impact speed would be around 30mph. Upon impact, the driver seat failed - shifting me back to the rear seat and then I was jolted forward and hit my head on the steering wheel. The seatbelt system failed to constrict my body to the car seat. The front air bag did not deploy. I suffered head, neck, and soft tissue damage to my shoulder and mid back area. *Js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dt*: the contact stated the passenger's seat belt retractor jammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealership and the dealer determined the retractor needed to be replaced. There is a nhtsa recall, # 97v161000 concerning the seat belts: front: retractor. The vehicle is not included in the recall due to the vin. No repairs were made.
Drove the car 2 weeks, defective crank shaft, banging in the motor, I can't drive my car. Want saturn to replace defective part. *Jb
1997 Saturn sc2 experienced transmission failure when the spider pin broke. *Mr while on an expressway an explosion occurred in the engine. The engine emitted steam and the consumer was unable to engage the gear. Under the vehicle was fluid and pieces of broken metal. The consumer was informed that the spider pin had broken and had come from the carrier jamming itself and caused immediate transmission failure. *Sc *jb
1) Passanger side rear seatbelt locked up and would not realease - making it impossible to use for transporting my infant son in his carseat. Drivers side rear seatbelt will not lock into place - which also makes it impossible to transport my son. Someone tried to fix the seatbelts, but had no luck. *Ak 2) placed my son in the passanger side after it was "fixed" - and his carseat flipped up side down - while I was driving around a curve in the are where we live. 3) Had more seatbelts given to me from a...
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junk yard in the area. Two friends tried to install these for me, but they too could not get them to latch or lock properly. I am a single parent with one vehicle , who is unable to transport my son anywhere. My son was a preemie, and it is necessary for me to take him to multiple doctor appointments both locally and in winston- salem.
1) Excessive oil useage after 60,000 miles on engine. ) No warning indicator light to show oil is low and needs added; engine seizes while driving. Could have caused accident trying to get out of traffic without power.*Ak 3) engine was replaced once at 65,000 mile. Same has happened again and engine needs replaced. This engine has approx 81,000 miles. Oil was changed less than 5000 miles ago and has been regularly changed between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. No prior indication of problem. Engine just seized while driving.
Manual transmission shift linkage broke while driving. The shifter got into the linkage and then broke off. Consumer contacted the dealer, and purchased a new shifting linkage and had the defect repaired by himself. *Ak
After stopping and parking the vehicle the reverse gear would not work. This problem has happened over fifty times since july 2003. Once the vehicle cooled down the reverse gear would work properly. The dealer examined the vehicle and determined that a new transmission is needed. *La *nm
Consumer complained about a seat belt retracting problem. A recall was issued on this make, model, and year. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *Ak
While driving, the vehicle began to swerve uncontrollably, the consumer lost control of the vehicle, hit the median and the vehicle flipped over. The consumer sustained serious head injuries. *Ak *jb
Consumer stated that when he got into vehicle and tried to start it vehicle began to smoke around the dash and steering column. Vehicle filled up with smoke. Consumer took vehicle to repair shop, wa stold by technician that wiring harness had been fried. *Akthey stated that it was the main wiring harness and it would cost him 4-5 thousands dollars to repair, and more if it damaged something else.
I bought my saturn in may of 1999, at 20,000 miles. It was previously a lease vehicle. At 73,000 miles, the engine started to burn over 2.5 Quarts of oil every 3000 miles. The car was under warranty and the engine was rebuilt. At approximately 150,000 miles the engine started burning again. I have to have my oil changed every 1500 to 2000 miles now. I have been told, by multiple mechanics, that this is a common problem with the saturn sc2s. I've also had the ignition replaced. I started having problems with...
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starting it up at about 45,000 miles. Every time I started it up, it would take a while to turn over, until one morning when I tried to go to work, it wouldn't start up at all. I have also been through 3 alternators and three batteries. I have taken good care of my car and have never had these problems with cars I have had prior, that have been twice as old, and almost double the mileage. Of course, those cars were not gm products. I think I will go back to my pervious brand.*Ak
While driving, the motor mounts collapsed without warning, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle almost hitting 3 pedestrians.
Rainy days vehicle shuts down. Dealer notified. Please provide the technical diagnoses of cause leaking.*Ak
Vehicle has only 37,000 miles on it, engine is dead. Will cost over $3000 for new engine. This car has been in for numerous repairs, many problems, and most were never fixed. I approached the dealership in summer 2000 about going to arbitration re: having vehicle replaced, and they refused to provide the area representatively name and number. I got it anyway and filed a complaint. Dealer promised to rectify all issues, and repaired several problems, which have all recurred (and worse) since the warranty...
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expired. Problems have included electrical, fuse malfunctions (windows, locks, cd player, sunroof), air conditioner leakage, engine stalling, engine overheating, trunk leaking, etc. Now engine has completely frozen. I have taken good care of this car, with regular maintenance and will never buy another gm product again. *Jb
Parking brake button most of the time fails to engage. *Ak
Consumer states the power steering seal blew and leaked on to the generator. *Yd
While driving about 40 mph on highway and upon depressing brake pedal pedal went straight to floorboard, causing extended stopping distance , and resulting in vehicle veering into another lane. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealer. *Ak
Smoke started coming from vehicle while pulling out from a driveway. Dealership examined vehicle and determined ground wire for ignition had burned out and melted. *Ak consumer states that smoke originated under dash, the ignition switch failed causing ground wire to short out and melt, this is what caused the smoke, the 30 amp fuse under the hood tripped as designed, causing engine to stop. *Jb
Power steering fluid pump leaked, causing generator to become inoperable. Dealer has been contacted.*Ak consumer states the dealer paid him back $150. Pcv valve replaced. *Slc
Saturn SC1: every year compared
All SC1 years1997 Saturn SC1 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Saturn SC1 | 61 | 3 | D | |
| 1997 Saturn SL | 256 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn SC | 33 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn SW | 31 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Saturn EV1 | 4 | 5 | D | 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 SC1
Does the 1997 Saturn SC1 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1997 Saturn SC1: headlights (September 1997); retractor (September 1997); seats (August 1996). 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 SC1?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (13), transmission & drivetrain (11), electrical system (11).
How many complaints has the 1997 Saturn SC1 had?
61 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 11, 1997 and the latest on January 3, 2012. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Saturn SC1 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 30 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Saturn SC1 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 SC1 years have the most complaints?
1994 (82), 1997 (61), 1995 (59). See every Saturn SC1 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Saturn SC1 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