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1996 Saturn SCProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 26 owner complaints about the 1996 Saturn SC, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

61
CarFlaw IndexSolid year36% below the SC median · #6 of 10 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints268 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Saturn SC has problems

26 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling60
Electrical system50
Structure41
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Seats31
Suspension20
Power train20
Vehicle speed control20
Equipment20
8 other systems84

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

1996 Saturn SC recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other SC year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SC median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What SC owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10218841 · Feb 22, 2008 · 11,000 miles
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)
Complaint 10069499 · Jan 15, 2004 · 73,815 miles
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…
Complaint 10030438 · Jul 30, 2003 · 68,825 miles

Own a 1996 SC?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.