1995 Saturn SC

Routine

Owners filed 39 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats. It has been recalled 2 times.

Not among the Saturn SC years to avoid. Which Saturn SC years to avoid →

Most common 1995 Saturn SC problems

13 of the 39 complaints (33%) are about the seats.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats7
100
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner6
001
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
201
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags4
401
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes2
201
Air Bags · airbags2
100
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
000
Structure › Body › Door · body and frame1
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Filed Mar 12, 1999138,691 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(motorcycle)94V217000
Filed Nov 8, 199420,518 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 28, 2012WA

WE HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS AS OF NOW, BUT THE FRONT SEATBELTS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKING HARD. *TR

Parking Brake
Filed Dec 4, 2009165,000 milesTX

MY 95 SATURN SC1 SERIES PARKING BRAKE LEVER BUTTON POPPED. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE LEVER STOPPED WORKING. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jun 2, 2005183,822 milesAL

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SATURN SC1 COUPE. THE CONTACT SAYS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. UPON IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 15, 200448,561 milesFL

FIRST PROBLEM THE CAR OVER HEATED. WASN'T TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TREATED AS IF I MADE THE WHOLE THING UP! THEY CHECK THE CAR & TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING CHECK OUT OKAY. DIDN'T HAVE ANY FUTHER PROBLEM WITH IT OVER HEATING. THEN HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR STALLING & EVEN DYING OUT WHILE IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING! PUSHED THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AFTER IT FINALLY DIED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR & SPARK PLUGS. THEY PROCEEDED AS USUAL TO TREAT THIS AS A REALLY ODD THING TO HAPPEN! I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM & WHEN I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SATURN I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I HAVE SEVERAL PROBLEM WITH CORROSION IN THE SPARK PLUG CABLES & OTHER THINGS. ALL THIS OCCURED WITHIN A 2WEEK PERIOD. YEAH RIGHT! IAM REALLY DISAPOINTED WITH SATURN TREATING INDIVIDUALS WHO BRING IN THERE CAR FOR REPAIRS AS OF THEY ARE SURPRISED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING & NOT BEING HONEST LIKE THEY CLAIM THEY ARE!

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 7, 200368,000 milesCO

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHEN HOT, THE CAR HAS TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. HERE IS ONE WEB PAGE THAT HAS A FEW OTHERS COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. HTTP://WWW.SATURNFANS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP3?S=6CD490757521AEDF4FCEA59BE2A5C456&THREADID=17198&GOTO=NEXTNEWEST I HAVE CALLED LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND MOST HAVE SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IF IT REALLY IS COMMON WHY ISN'T SATURN DOING A RECALL OR SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THESE HEFTY REPAIR FEES? *JB

Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 2003OH

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER HEARD THE STEERING MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHICH LEAD TO DIMINISHED CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SOON AFTER, ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING AND THE STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. *JG

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jan 20, 200394,450 milesOH

FRONT DRIVERS' SIDE SEATBACK MECHANISM FAILS REPEATEDLY. 5-SPEED CAR. DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE CLUTCH AND SEATBACK COLLAPSES DUE TO THE PRESSURE, SENDING DRIVER BACK AND MOMENTARILY LOOSING CONTROL OF CLUTCH AND/OR BRAKE APPLICATION. BUILD DATE AND VIN OUTSIDE OF RECALL, BUT FAILURE HAS OCCURED AND IS VERIFIABLE.

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Dec 31, 2002SC

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING HIS GRANDFATHER IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD A EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT LOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Dec 2, 2002TN

THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBACK COLLASPED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER STATES ALMOST HAD A COLLISION AS A RESULT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Seats
Filed Nov 14, 2002IL

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS SHIFTED BACKWARD, AFFECTING CONSUMER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MR *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 16, 2002FL

DRIVING ON HWY AT 65MPH ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INDICATING ENSUING SHUTDOWN. ATTEMPTED TO MAKE EXIT BUT UPON SLOWDOWN ON RAMP ENGINE SHUTOFF.HAD TO PUSH CAR DOWN RAMP AND OFF TO THE SIDE.*AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Aug 15, 2002AZ

WHILE DRIVING AT 2-5 MP CONSUMER T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 50 MPH. VEHICLE WAS A TOTALED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

Seats
Filed Jun 26, 2002GA

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FELL REARWARD WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT FELL REARWARD, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT NO CRASH OCCURRED. THE DEALER WAS UNWILLING TO DO REPAIR UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN. *YH

Seats
Filed Jun 6, 2002ID

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS WILL FALL BACKWARDS, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Seats
Filed Dec 7, 2001VA

RECALL 99V045000; DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SEATS WILL SUDDENLY SLIDE BACK WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS WAS SAME PROBLEM AS INDICATED IN RECALL; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *YD

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 10, 2001VA

DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. SATURN DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS. SHOULDN'T THEY BE RECALLED AS A SAFETY CONCERN? *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe and Cap
Filed Sep 21, 2000CA

FUEL COVER LATCH WAS MADE OUT PLASTIC. WHEN CONSUMER GOES TO GET GASOLINE CAP FLIES OPEN. SHE CRAZY GLUED THE LATCH. SHE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK THE OWNER REQUESTS THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC FUEL COVER LATCH BY A METAL COVER LATCH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *YH

Seats
Filed Aug 16, 2000WA

A CAMPAIGN HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. SEE 99V045000. BECAUSE MY VEHICLE'S VIN DOES NOT CORRELATE WITH THE COMPANY'S PROBLEM AREA, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ASSIST. THE FACT REMAINS, THE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN ARE IDENTICAL TO MINE. IT IS APPARENT THE PROBLEM IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN SATURN IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. CAN YOU HELP??

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jul 26, 2000IL

WHILE DRIVING RECLINING MECHANISM ON DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED, CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE BACDKWARDS. *AK WHEN SEAT COLLAPSE CONSUMER LOSE CONTROL OF THE GAS, BRAKE PEDALS AND CLEAR SIGHT OF THE ROAD. *YH

SeatsCrash
Filed Nov 26, 1999MA

CONSUMER WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN ANOTHER VECHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF HIM. WHEN HE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES THE FRONT DRIVER 'S SEAT BROKE. THE BOLT CAME APART FROM THE SEAT, WENT INTO A RECLINING POSITION, AND HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Oct 21, 1999NY

DRIVERS SIDE BUCKET SEAT LATCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE, CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. NLM

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Oct 13, 1999WI

THE PAINT ON MY HOOD IS EXCESSIVELY CHIPPING AWAY. I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF MY CAR SO I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THIS IS HAPPENING!. ALSO, MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS AND CAUSES MY CAR SEAT TO GET SOAKED.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Jun 17, 1999CA

SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DURING REAR END COLLISION CAUSING INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER) MJS

Seats
Filed May 27, 1999GA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 9, 1998KY

GOING 35MPH ON WET PAVEMENT. APPLIED BRAKES & SLID INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE 2ND TIME, HIT A DEER AT 70MPH & AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ONCE AGAIN. MANUFACTURER WAS GOING TO HAVE IT INSPECTED,BUT SO FAR NO ONE SHOWED UP. *AK

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jul 9, 1998NJ

THE SEATBACK ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BROKEN. WHEN SITTING IN THE SEAT, THE SEAT RECLINES WITHOUT APPLICATION. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jun 23, 1998OH

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Oct 31, 1997WA

ABS BRAKES LOCKE DUP TWICE, ONCE RESULTING IN A CRASH. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 3, 1996PA

WITH ABS BRAKES; WHEN BRAKING ON CURVE ON WET ROAD SURFACE, OWNER LOST CONTROL WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 18, 1996NJ

VEHICLE WAS HIT HEAD- ON. SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK, SO HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD THEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 30, 1996CA

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. TT

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jan 4, 1996CO

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE DIDN'T DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED EA95-003 CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. TT

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 11, 1995CA

SUNVISOR FAILED. *DSH

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Aug 27, 1995NJ

BRAKES GRINDING.

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jul 20, 1995FL

REAR BACK WINDOW BEHIND PASSENGER'S SEAT SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TT

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 28, 1995FL

WHEN DRIVING CRUISE CONTROL AUTOMATICALLY COME ON AND CUT CAR OFF. TT

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 21, 1995CA

PASSENGER DOOR STICKS. *TT

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 12, 1995CA

CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED AND IS BELEIVED TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TT

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 14, 1995NJ

WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, VEHICLE SPEEDS INCREASE. TT

All 39 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200238020Routine
200121210Routine
20007700Routine
199924110Routine
199813000Routine
199733311Fatalities reported
199626000Routine
1995 — this page39200Routine
199451111Fatalities reported
199323100Routine
199216210Routine
19915100Routine

Compare every SC year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 12, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.