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1994 Saturn SC1Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 82 owner complaints about the 1994 Saturn SC1, most often about the seats. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

42
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.4× the SC1 median · #1 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8217 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem32Seats

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 24, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Saturn SC1 has problems

82 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
Seats328
Engine and engine cooling130
Seat belts121
Service brakes, hydraulic101
Vehicle speed control70
Electrical system41
Power train30
Exterior lighting30
Latches/locks/linkages30
6 other systems113

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

1 recall

1994 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

Seats

Recall 99V-045 · Mar 12, 1999 · 138,691 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

1994 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Saturn SC1, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRUISE CONTROL FAILURESEA95003 · closed May 31, 1996
    No recall
  2. SEAT BACK FAILURESEA98017 · closed Mar 16, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-045
  3. CRUISE CONTROL FAILUREPE94079 · closed Feb 24, 1995
    No recall
  4. FRONT SEAT BACK CAN RECLINE OR COLLAPSERQ00005 · closed Aug 19, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-045
In owners' words

What SC1 owners report

Recent seats complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

RECLINER MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. MECHANISM DOES NOT HOLD IN PLACE, AND WHEN THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING, SEAT WILL FALL BACK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Complaint 8013833 · Jul 15, 2002
DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RECLINE BY ITSELF WHILE DRVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE SEAT GEAR TEETH ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY. *JG
Complaint 8012474 · Jun 24, 2002
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS A DEFECT, WHEN DRIVER BARELY LEANS OR PRESSES IT, THE SEATS RECLINED BACKWARDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK *SLC
Complaint 898390 · Oct 29, 2001

Own a 1994 SC1?

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