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1993 Saturn SC1Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 58 owner complaints about the 1993 Saturn SC1, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

47
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the SC1 median · #3 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints5819 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem12Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 23, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Saturn SC1 has problems

58 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
Service brakes, hydraulic124
Seats123
Electrical system91
Engine and engine cooling90
Seat belts61
Power train50
Vehicle speed control42
Air bags32
Structure31
8 other systems111

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

2 recalls

1993 Saturn SC1 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 93V-132 · Aug 10, 1993 · 352,833 vehicles

Risk. SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

12v/24v/48v battery: cables

Recall 93V-094 · May 25, 1993 · 14,459 vehicles

Risk. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saturn.

Best & worst years

1993 vs. every other SC1 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 SC1 median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Saturn SC1, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
In owners' words

What SC1 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE FAILURES. THE TRUNK FAILED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING THE TRUNK WOULD OPEN AND WOULD NOT CLOSE, AND WILL NOT LOCK. ALSO, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES GRABBED SLOWLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER TOOK…
Complaint 10094725 · Sep 30, 2004
BRAKE PEDAL FADEED, RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, ABS BRAKE SYSTEM, REPLACED FRONT PAD AND TURNED ROTOR PRIOR TO EXPERIENCE. TT
Complaint 967240 · Jun 19, 1995
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, T BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER. *AK
Complaint 836525 · Apr 6, 1999

Own a 1993 SC1?

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