1994 Saturn SC1

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.

1994 SATURN SC2 WITH RPM SURGING, TRANSMISSION REPAIR. CUSTOMER STATES THAT WHEN THE RPM'S SURGED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CUSTOMER ALSO STATES THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS LOOSE, WHICH MADE ALL MOUNTS AND BRACKETS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIATOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALTERNATOR, STARTER, BATTERY FIRST GEAR WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IN 1994 SATURN SC2 WHEN RIGHT REAR WHEEL SNAPPED OFF. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND IT ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. DAUGHTER WAS AIR LIFTED TO UNITED METHODIST HOSPITAL DES MOINES IA. WITH BRAIN CONCUSSION, FACIAL CUTS WHICH REQUIRED PLASTIC SURGERY THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT, PARTLY COLLAPSED LUNG, INJURED SPLEEN, BROKEN LEG. WILL REQUIRE MORE PLASTIC SURGERY. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE CAR. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WHEEL DEFINITELY POSSIBLE FAILURE WITH THE AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE PASSIVE SHOULDER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS FAILED. IT NO LONGER MOVES FOWARD TO ALLOW EASY ACCESS INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS RESULTS IN PASSENGER HAVING TO MANUALLY DISENGAGE THE SHOULD BELT AND REMEMBER TO RE-ENGAGE IT FOR SAFETY. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN A BASIC SAFETY SYSTEM FAILS. I WOULD LIKE MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR AT NO CHARGE.

I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, WHICH SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE ANY ONE DIES. THE SPRING THAT RETURNS THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO THE "SHUT" POSITION BREAKS. THEN HANDLE DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS' CLOSED POSITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT LOCK. ALTERNATIVELY, IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND THE OUTSIDE HANDLE IS VIBRATED OR LIFTED, THE DOOR CANNOT BE UNLOCKED. IT IS VERY POSSIBLE TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR, WHICH COULD BE FATAL IN AN ACCIDENT, FIRE OR CRASH. *NM

1994 SC2 SATURN. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE TWO PARTS, AND THE UPPER PART MOVES WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR. THE LAP BELT IS SEPARATE AND YOU LATCH THIS MANUALLY. THE PROBLEM IS THE UPPER PART HAS STOPPED WORKING IT WILL NOT MOVE. *LA

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL RETRACT AND TIGHTEN SEVERELY. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE DRIVER BEING TRAPPED IN THE SEAT, AND SUSTAINING BRUISES.*AK

ENGINE MOTOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

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

DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RECLINE BY ITSELF WHILE DRVING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE SEAT GEAR TEETH ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY. *JG

TREAD WAS GOOD BUT CAME OFF TIRE. RIPPED MY FRONT FENDER AND PART OF MY FRONT BUMPER. *AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)

WHEN CONSUMER TRAVELING AT A SUDDEN STOP SEATBELT OPENS UP. *AK

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS A DEFECT, WHEN DRIVER BARELY LEANS OR PRESSES IT, THE SEATS RECLINED BACKWARDS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK *SLC

BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA, DOT EMCBCHJ208, P195/60R15. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON SATURN, SL, 1994, WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO SHAKE, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD SOUND, AND MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF.*AK (BRIDGESTONE TIRES.) CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS ABOUT 45,000 MILES ON TIRE, THE TREAD CAME OFF TEARING A HOLE IN THE FRONT LEFT FENDER.*JB

TRACK WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT IN 1999. SAME DEFECT OCCURRED AGAIN IN 2001- I WAS MADE TO PAY FOR IT SATURN CITING THAT A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON THIS RECALL HAD EXPIRED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING WAIT ON SEATBACK IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY RECLINE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY. CONSUMER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL ON 99 V 045 000. DEALER SAID THIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A GATED ENTRANCE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH WHEN STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SMOKE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE WHICH CAUSED A FIRE AND DESTROYED MOST OF COMPONENTS WITHIN COLUMN. INSURANCE COMPANY (STANLEY INSURANCE) WAS SENDING AN ADJUSTER TO EXAMINE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MECHANISM FAILS TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AS DESIGNED. *MJS

ENGINE THREW A ROD. IT DESTROYED THE ENGINE AND WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. ENGINE FAILURE WAS INSTANTANEOUS, ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, GOING AT REGULAR SPEED OF OTHER VEHICLES.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY SATURN IN DOWNTOWN DAYTON, OH WHEN WHEEL HUB/AXLE BROKE, CAUSING LEFT REAR WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE TO SPIN INTO A STREET SIGN. IT WAS A COLD CLOUDY DAY, BUT IT WAS LIGHT, AND THERE WAS NO MOISTURE. THE ROAD WAS BUMPY AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT A WHEEL BREAKING OFF. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO SATURN, WHO BROUGHT ENGINEERS HERE TO HASTILY DETERMINE (WITHOUT EVEN SPEAKING WITH ME) THAT I DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE CURB, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK OFF (WHICH COULDN'T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH). *AK

WHEN HIT FROM REAR IN A LOW IMPACT CRASH SEAT TRACKS AND ANCHOR RECLINEING MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

1994 SATURN SC-2 WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT APPROX 40 MPH WHILE SATURN WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINERS FAILED TO SECURE OCCUPANTS. SEATS RECLINED TO THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION UPON IMPACT. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF CLEARWATER THAT THE RECLINING MECHANISMS FAILED. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR STATING MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FAILED SEAT RECLINER RECALL.*AK

NO SUMMARY

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE IT BEGAN TO STALL WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO MOVE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. AFTER VEHICLE STALLED, IT WOULD JUMP FORWARD ON ITS ON IMPACT, AND THEN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND HELD FOR A WEEK. BUT PROBLEM HAS STARTED TO OCCUR. *AK

TRANSMISSIONS DOES NOT GO INT0 REVERSE WHEN ENGAGED. CAR STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GIVES A HARD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN FINALLY ENGAGED

I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS "ON" AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS? MY VEHICHLE HAS FAILED INSPECTION SOLELY DUE TO THE INDICATOR LIGHT. WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU GIVE ME ON A RESONABLE COST FOR REPAIR? COULD THIS BE A DEFECT? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? I HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO INSTALL AN ON/OFF SWITCH, HOWEVER I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!! LISA WILLAN. *AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT DOES NOT OPEN AND THE HIGH BEAM DOES NOT WORK. YH

RECLINER MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LAY DOWN FLAT. SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SEAT. RECALL ISSUED FOR DIFFERENT MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *ML

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY SATURN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN TO FALL REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY SLIP WHAT FELT LIKE A FEW "NOTCHES" AND I WOULD RIGHT IT AND GO ON. HOWEVER, SOON IT BEGAN TO GET WORSE AND FINALLY IT WOULD HARDLY STAY UPRIGHT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HUMBLE, TEXAS. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD A RECALL ON THESE SEATS. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER TELLING ME THIS, THEY RETURNED AND TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE MODEL OF MY CAR THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME ALMOST $200.00. IN ORDER TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO PLACE A LAWN CHAIR FROM MY TRUNK IN THE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR (WEDGING IT IN AND PROPING OTHER ITEMS UNDER IT) TO KEEP MY SEAT FROM FALLING BACK UNTIL I COULD GET HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME MY HUSBAND USED A BIG BOLT AND RIGGED THE SEAT WHERE IT NOW STAYS UPRIGHT. HOWEVER, NOW THE SEAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED AND, IN ORDER FOR US BOTH TO SIT IN IT, IT HAS TO STAY LEANED BACK TO AN UNCOMFORTALBE ANGLE FOR ME. AT FIRST I JUST LET THIS GO AS I DID NOT THINK THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT I COULD DO. HOWEVER, A FRIEND SUGGESTED THAT I WRITE TO YOU REGARDING THIS SITUATION. ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED (PARTICULARLY BY MY ACHING BACK). *AK

THE TWO METAL ARMSTHAT SUPPORT THE SUNROOF ARE RUSTED ON THE INSIDE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS FULLY RECLINED. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT RELEASED FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

DRIVERS SEAT FAILS TO REMAIN IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. SEAT NOT LOCKED IN POSITION. LIES ON REAR SEAT.

WHEN ANY KIND OF PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE BACK REST, IT COLLPASES TO THE REAR. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED WHEN CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN.DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL DUE TO VIN. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSED ENGINE TO BLOW UP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE BECOMING INOPERATIVE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO SEA T BELT WHICH IS LOCKED IN THE TRACK. ALSO THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE MOTOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BUY A NEW MOTOR MOUNT THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ORIGINAL MOTOR MOUNT DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THEY HAD REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER DESIGN WHICH WOULD ENTAIL A DIFFERENT SET-UP. TO REPLACE THIS PART IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. ABOUT $150.00 FOR THE PART NOT INSTALLED. THE AVERAGE PRICE OF MOST MOUNTS IS LESS THAN $50.00. I THINK SINCE IT WAS SATURN'S BAD DESIGN, THE CUSTORMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DEFECT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT THE E-MAIL ADDRESS OR FAX # SINCE I TRAVEL FOR MY COMPANY AND AM NOT AT HOME ON A REGULAR TIME BASIS. THANK YOU CHRISTOPHER ENGLE. *AK

BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS WILL UNEXPECTEDLY COLLAPSE INTO THE RECLINING POSITION

ONGOING INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE, CAUSING PEDAL TO GO DOWN TO FLOOR. THIS CONDITION CAUSED VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IN WHICH CONSUMER RECEIVED MAJOR INJURIES. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK

REAR-END COLLISION, I WAS STOPPED, PERSON HIT ME GOING 30-40 M.P.H. MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD ME IN MY SEAT. THE SEAT BELT TRACK WAS INOP. AND I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TO SATURN AND THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. I COULDN'T AFFORD THE $450 REPAIR. ALSO, IN THE CRASH, BOTH FRONT SEATS WERE FORCED REARWARD AND LANDED ON THE BACK SEATS. FORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE BACK SEAT PASSENGERS IN THE CAR AT THAT TIME OR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HAVE CONTACTED SATURN AND THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT THEY SAY THAT THE SEATS ARE DESIGNED TO DO THAT IN A COLLISION. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THIS HAPPENS IN MOST CARS. I'M GREATLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WHO OWN SATURNS AND PUT THEIR CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEATS AND DON'T KNOW THAT THIS HAPPENS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO IMPROVE THIS SITUATION AT THIS POINT BUT I DO FEEL THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY AWARE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HAVING BACK SEAT PASSENGERS. SATURN CLAIMS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. COULD YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH ME ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING SEATS IN COLLISIONS IN VEHICLES, SATURNS ESPECIALLY? I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE TO OFFER.

PE98017, SEATBACK FAILURE; WHEN ACCELERATING, EVEN A LITTLE, THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK RECLINES. OWNER WILL BE CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE SEAT. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. OWNER EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT IN MARCH OF 96. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED DURING VEHICLE COLLISION.

SEAT BACK COLLAPSES CONTINUOUSLY.

BOTH SEATS FAILED WITH LITTLE USE. RECLINE WITH NO SUPPORT.

DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES AUTOMATICALLY UNDER ACCELERATION OR ANYTIME DRIVER LEANS BACK TOO HARD. ALSO PASSIVE RESTRAINT IS STUCK FORWARD.

TIMING CHAIN FAILED

DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES AUTOMATICALLY UNDER ACCELERATION. ALSO PASSIVE RESTRAIN TIS STUCK FORWARD, NO SHOULDER HARNESS.

IN 25 MPH IMPACT THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARD WHICH CAUSED INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANT. DEALER BLAMED THE IMPACT AS THE REASON FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO FALL BACKWARD. *AK