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Engine & cooling

1998 Saturn SC1 Engine problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1998 Saturn SC1's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 33% of all its complaints, most recently on June 17, 2009. They describe 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & coolingElectrical systemSeats & seat belts

During the smog test, my car overheated but the temp. Gauge did not indicate it was hot. The temp gauge was registering that the car was running at it's usual temperature. I have always gotten my oil changed when I'm suppose to, and I've had the engine flushed to try and keep it in good mechanical condition. It also is not starting at times, and today it was making a slight jerking motion as if a fuel filter is clogging. I've replaced the catalytic converter, & a couple of sensors. Plus, my seat belts have never retracted correctly and frequently get caught in the door. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Seat beltsNHTSA 10274084
Engine & coolingElectrical systemSeats & seat beltsBody, doors & structure

The indicator lights do not work properly. I get the proper maintenance required, yet the oil is now running out everywhere (69,000 mi.). Why doesn't the warning light come on, or flash - anything to warn me when the oil doesn't even register on the dip stick? I checked the oil, 1 minute later I drove 35 miles at a top speed of 67. The temperature guage wasn't even at the 1/2 way point, but when I stopped the car I could smell the car was hot, & the oil did not register on the dip stick. The only indicator...

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light that works properly is the low fuel. The car has always rattled, & the glove box handle just broke off. The front seat belts do not retract most of the time, causing the strap & buckle to get caught in the door. The passenger seat would slide back when accelerating & forward when braking (seat belt not locking into place either). Now it is stuck in one position. I have taken it to the dealer on 1 occassion for that, at least 2 times for the interior light, 2 times for sensors, & more. To end this, I am distraught at the moment, it appears as if my car has bathed in oil from the middle of the engine, all the way down & all over the underneath of the car. The plug gasket was mangled, changed, & still did not remedy the situation. My only transportation to a job interview this week!

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Seat belts · Latches / locks / linkages · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10119802
Engine & coolingElectrical systemVisibility & wipersSeats & seat belts

1998 Saturn sc2- cam cover leak- 12/13/02 same cam cover leak 10/26/04 paid for it twice... $98.86 And 76.98. Electrical nightmare- electric window failed- sun roof motor failed- wants $925.00 To fix- horn had internal short 10/26/04 $112.11, Weatherstripping replace on drivers door 5/7/01, belt tensioner replace 12/13/02, idler pulley replaced 10/26/04. Exhaust replaced 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Visibility · Seat beltsNHTSA 10100226
Engine & cooling

I own a 1998 saturn sc2 and I have had many costly problems with it. On october 5, 2004 the engine failed because of a timing chain and now the whole engine will have to be rebuilt. Prior to this incident, the car has been consuming an enormous amount of oil. In march of 2004 I had to have the fuel injectors and o2 sensor replaced. I have had many expensive problems with this car. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10093837
Engine & cooling

The head on the engine block failed while driving on the highway. The head was full of holes, it was discovered by the dealer. Saturn refused the claim unless the vehicle was towed to another dealer. *Jb the vehicle smoked so bad that it almost caused a serious accident in which oil spilled over the highway. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10091417
Engine & coolingCrash1 injury

At 60-65 mph driver heard a knocking sound. The noise level increased rapidly, then, engine stalled. Vehicle was in traveling lane on the highway, consumer exited vehicle, and ran to shoulder. Vehicle was rear ended by 5-6 different vehicles.*Ak dealer stated engine seized due to no oil in reservoir, this caused a hole in the engine block. Consumer had oil change done 200 miles prior to this incident. Please provide dollar amount of damage to vehicle.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10040022
Engine & cooling

Consumer states that while driving check engine light comes on. Dealer notified.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10027127
Engine & cooling

Intermittent stalling whenever vehicle comes to a stop or cruises along without foot pressing on the accelerator pedal. Vehicle was inspected on one occasion, and consumer was informed that the problem could not be duplicated. *Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10019128
Engine & cooling

While driving the vehicles check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and the vehicle overheated. *Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10017973
Engine & cooling

THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10017557
Engine & cooling

Oil pressure suddenly changed and fumes came from under hood. I pulled car off interstate immediately and checked under hood. Upon checking oil, found that it was completely dry. I have kept regular maintenance on car, as can be verified by saturn. Was told that engine would have to be replaced. The car is a 1998 saturn sc2 with 91,000 miles.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10000215
Engine & cooling

Intermittent stalling whenever vehicle comes to a stop or cruises along without foot pressing on the accelerator pedal. Vehicle was inspected on one occasion, and consumer was informed that the problem could not be duplicated.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 837458
Engine & cooling

Vehicle shuts down at 65 mph resulting in no brakes, no power, no power steering.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 533079

Saturn SC1 engine complaints by year

SC1 engine problems, every year

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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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