1997 Saturn SC

33 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Mar 15, 2022Failure Mar 15, 2022Evansville, INSeat belts

   Right front passenger seat belt male mechanism is locked up and will not extend to lock in female mechanism. Unusable.

   NHTSA complaint 11456745
2. Filed May 27, 2015Failure Jul 10, 2014103,000 milesSouth Bound Brook, NJElectrical system

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THERE WERE NUMEROUS KEYS ON THE KEY RING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *TT *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10721642
3. Filed Aug 29, 2013Failure Jul 21, 2013ST. Louis, MOElectrical system

   I HAVE 2 SATURNS (SC AND SL) BOTH ARE 1997'S. BOTH HAVE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE. SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING THE POWER BUT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT. BOTH CARS START WITH A JUMP AND RUN FINE IF DRIVEN OFTEN. BUT IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN A DAY, THE BATTERY IS DRAINED.

   NHTSA complaint 10537943
4. Filed Aug 29, 2013Failure Aug 1, 2012ST. Louis, MOElectrical system

   BATTERY KEPT BEING DRAINED.

   NHTSA complaint 10537941
5. Filed Jul 5, 2013Failure Jul 4, 2013171,411 milesFL, FLElectrical system, Tires

   I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 SC SATURN NORTH BOUND FL TURNPIKE WHEN THE ROAD FELT REALLY BUMPY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL (CABLES/WIRES)COMPONENTS FLEW & SPLASH AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD BLOCKING MY VIEW, "OH MY GOD" I IMMEDIATELY EDGE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION, CONTACTED GEICO ROAD SERVICE. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT ONE OF THE LEMANS TIRE (RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE) TREAD HAD COMPLETELY PEELED & BLOWN OFF. APPARENTLY, AS THE TIRE BEGAN TO FAIL THE STEEL BELTS FROM THE TIRE DESTROYED THE INNER FENDER, THE OUTER FENDER AND RIPPED OUT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT PROVIDED POWER TO ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SUCH AS DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS ETC. IT APPEARS THAT THE PLACEMENT OF THIS WIRING HARNESS OVER THE FRONT WHEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND NOT OVER A WHEEL AND WITH NO PROTECTION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10523331
6. Filed Jul 5, 2013Failure Jul 4, 2013173,411 milesHomestead, FLElectrical system, Engine, Tires

   I WAS DRIVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE (SATURN SC1 1997) NORTH BOUND ON FL TURNPIKE WHEN THE ROAD FELT REALLY BUMPY AND SUDDENLY PIECES OF DEBRIS STARTED FLYING BY THE WINDOW AND A LARGE BUNDLE OF WIRES WAS FLAPPING ON THE HOOD, COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR; WHICH I HAD TO EASED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACTED GEICO ROAD SERVICE. APPARENTLY, THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WERE AS FOLLOWS: THE LEMANS/BRIDGESTONE TIRE (P195-60R15) TREAD COMPLETED PEELED OFF THE TIRE WITH SUCH FORCE..THAT IT GOT SHREDDED THE FENDER AND RIPPED OUT A LARGE BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL CABLES THAT WAS IN THE FENDER. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED, THE WIRE CABLE RAN FROM THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVER THE WHEEL IN THE FENDER, TO PROVIDE POWER TO VIRTUALLY EVERY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE CAR, AND WAS RIPPED OUT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A HIGHLY HAZARDOUS & DANGEROUS INCIDENT...THE PICTURES ARE EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE! BE CAREFUL!!!! *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10523229
7. Filed Jun 1, 2013Failure Mar 8, 2013115,500 milesColorado Springs, COService brakesCrash

   I TRIED BRAKING HARD AND MY PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED AND THEN I HIT A CAR ON THE SIDE. I COULD HAVE AVOIDED IT IF MY BRAKES WEREN'T BAD. I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS AND IT WAS STILL LOW. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10514631
8. Filed Feb 9, 2011Failure Feb 1, 2011Bettendorf, IATires

   1997 SATURN SC. CONSUMER WRITES IN FOLLOW UP TO A REQUEST FOR ADJUSTMENT ON HIS GENERAL TIRES DUE TO PREMATURE WARE *TGW THE CONSUMER WARRANTY CLAIM WAS DENIED BASED ON THE STATED POSITION THAT THE TIRES WERE OLDER THAN THE WARRANTY COVERED; 72 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THE TIRES WERE NEW WHEN HE PURCHASED THEM ON NOVEMBER 18, 2006. HE WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE SHELF FOR 3 YEARS. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10380680
9. Filed Jul 1, 2009Failure Apr 4, 200690,000 milesLA Follette, TNAutomatic transmission

   I BOUGHT MY SATURN SC1 SERIES 1997 AT 83,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HAD IT CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE, SECOND GEAR TO RATIO WAS OFF, A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, 90,000 I LOST REVERSE. I DROVE WITHOUT REVERSE FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION GUY TOLD ME THAT THE NUT/BOLT THAT HOLDS THE GEARS TWISTED OFF CRACKED THE SHELL OF THE TRANSMISSION. NOT GOOD AT ALL, I HAD TO PUT A FULL BOTTLE OF TRANNY FLUID IN IT 2-3 TIMES A WEEK FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. AND HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF AS IT WAS A DEFECT OF THE MAKER, NOT MINE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN. EVER. SAD THING IS, I'M STILL PAYING ON IT. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10275494
10. Filed Jun 20, 2008Failure Feb 26, 199880,000 milesOdessa, TXRetractor

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK FEATURE OF THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V161000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT PAID $400 TO HAVE THE RETRACTOR REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10231696
11. Filed Apr 13, 2008Failure Feb 25, 2008114,297 milesYpsilanti, MIAlternator/generator/regulator

    WHEN THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD START TO STALL, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD DIM AND THE ELECTRONIC DASH WOULD GO OUT AND THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY STALL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START ON ITS OWN AND WOULD HAVE TO BE JUMPED OFF. IF THIS HAPPENED WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, YOU COULD WAIT AN HOUR AND THE CAR WOULD START AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. WHEN YOU TOOK OFF AGAIN THE SAME THINGS WOULD START UP AGAIN WITH THE STALLING AND THE NO STARTS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10224370
12. Filed Dec 16, 2004Failure Aug 10, 2004100,105 milesConcord, NCControl module

    WHEN KEY IS IN IGNITION AND STARTED AND STILL IN PARK THE SHIFT LOCK MECHANISM WILL NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. ALSO WHEN I SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN KEY TO OFF POSITION THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION LEAVING THE CAR SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEFT.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10103068
13. Filed Nov 17, 2004Failure Oct 15, 200480,000 milesVista, CACatalytic convertor

    WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE BECAME SQUARELY. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, SPILLING OIL ALL OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE AND GOT OIL ALL OVER THE TIRES. IT BLEW OUT 4 QUARTS OF OIL VERY RAPIDLY, CAUSING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO SWIRL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH OIL SMOKE, MAKING VISIBILITY VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD THAT WENT ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE MIDDLE OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. IT ONLY EFFECTED THE OIL. THIS DEFECT WAS NEXT TO THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. THE CASTING DID NOT LOOK LIKE VERY GOOD QUALITY. IT WAS NOT REINFORCED AS IT SHOULD BE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10101232
14. Filed Nov 2, 2004Failure Nov 1, 2004South River, NJFrontal1 injured

    WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10099237
15. Filed Oct 15, 2004Failure Oct 14, 200416,000 milesAnaheim, CAAlternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery, Module

    VEHICLE TO DATE IS ON IT'S 3RD BATTERY & ALTERNATOR WITH ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FLAW W/BATTERY/ALTERNATOR. BATTERY/ALTERNATOR 1ST REPLACED JULY - AUG 2002 APPROX 16,000 MILES, SECOND REPLACEMENT OCT 2004 BATTERY & ALTERNATOR 32,000 APPROX MILES. BATTERY PRORATED/REPLACED ALTERNATOR - OWNER MUST PAY FOR FULL REPAIRS. ALSO, IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND REPAIRED ONCE.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10095808
16. Filed Apr 3, 2004Failure Apr 2, 20041 milesRockford, ILEngine

    I GOT MY 97 SATURN SC1 A YEAR AGO WITH 56K MILES ON IT. THE COUPLE THAT HAD IT BEFORE ME TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT CONSIDERING THE OBVIOUS LACK OF QUALITY FROM THE FACTORY. I'VE PUT JUST OVER 21K MILES ON IT IN THE LAST YEAR. EVERY 500-1000 MILES IT BURNS A QUART OF OIL. THIS MEANS THAT EVERY 3000 MILES I HAVE TO GIVE IT TWO OIL CHANGES, ONE THE NORMAL WAY, AND ONE EVERY TIME I FILL IT WITH GAS. THE JOKE HAS BECOME "FILL THE OIL AND CHECK THE GAS." *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10064451
17. Filed Jun 9, 2003150,000 milesYonkers, NYTail lightsFire

    WHILE DRIVING AT 25/30 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED FROM THE REAR TAIL LIGHT.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10022646
18. Filed Sep 28, 2001Failure Sep 1, 2001Chino Hill, CAHorn, Headlights, Automatic transmission

    VEHICLE STALLS WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. ALSO, THERE IS NO HORN, AND HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON . *AK

    NHTSA complaint 897082
19. Filed Sep 14, 2001Failure Aug 31, 2001Chino Hill, CAHorn

    WHEN CONSUMER PUSHES HORN BUTTON (S) THERE IS NO SOUND. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 896364
20. Filed Jun 19, 2001Failure Jun 14, 2001Columbus, OHLinkagesCrash

    THREADS STRIPPED BETWEEN THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TIE ROD ON DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT SPEED IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY. DEALER IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 747076