no report yet
Front: retractor
Risk. IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
1997 Saturn SC1Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 1997 Saturn SC1, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 3, 2012. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Saturn SC1 has problems
61 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Seat belts2 crash/fire/injury
12Power train1 crash/fire/injury
12Electrical system
11Engine and engine cooling
7Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
6Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
6Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
4Steering
3Equipment
126 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 14 | 2 |
| Power train | 12 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 7 | 3 |
| Air bags | 6 | 4 |
| Visibility | 6 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 |
| 6 other systems | 12 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 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
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEAT MOVEMENT WITH A BELTED OCCUPANT DURING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.
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
1997 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
In owners' words
What SC1 owners report
Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY VEHICLE IS A 1998 SATURN VIN[XXX]. 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…
Own a 1997 SC1?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.