Saturn SC1 Complaints

413 consumer complaints on file.

#10471472August 19, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT WITH HORN, DEALER REPAIRED LAST TIME 2-20-2010. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10455985April 21, 2012
TIRES, TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
IN 2007, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND OTHER OWNERS OF MY CAR'S MODEL, I PURCHASED NEW MICHELIN HYDROEDGE TIRES. UPON RECENT INSPECTION AND ROTATION AT A SERVICE CENTER, IT WAS NOTED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES WERE DRY-ROTTING AT THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE TREADS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT "MICHELINS DO THAT." THE TIRES ARE 4 1/2 YEARS OLD, HAVE BEEN DRIVEN 23,000 MILES WITH VERY LITTLE TREAD WEAR (9/32" LEFT) AND ARE NOT HOUSED INSIDE A GARAGE WHERE OZONE COULD AFFECT THEM. I DRIVE 10 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH WORK DAY. I ALSO DO NOT LIVE IN AN URBAN AREA. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF DRY ROT LEADING TO BLOWOUTS, OFTEN WITH RELATED ACCIDENTS. IN MANY INSTANCES MICHELIN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SITED EVERYTHING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REACTIONS TO POTHOLE AND CURB HITS BY DRIVERS SOMETIMES DENYING A CLAIM BEFORE RECEIVING THE CUSTOMER'S DOCUMENTATION. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS TO IGNORE ANYMORE. JUST BECAUSE MANY OF US HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE TIRES CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DOESN'T MEAN THIS IS NOT SERIOUS. HOW MANY OCCURRENCES DOES THE NHTSA NEED BEFORE IT ACTS PROACTIVELY TO END THIS SAFETY RISK? I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT SPEAKS FOR CONSUMERS WHO FILED PREVIOUSLY, OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT FILED AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL A HIGH-PROFILE FIERY CRASH BRINGS LIGHT TO THIS ISSUE (AS SEEMS TOO OFTEN TO BE THE CASE IN OUR SOCIETY.) MICHELIN HAS HAD A FEW MAJOR TIRE RECALLS, ONE JUST RECENTLY, SO THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE DRY ROT COMPLAINTS. INVESTIGATE NOW SO WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM THE NHTSA, AN ENTITY THAT IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10442293January 3, 2012
SEAT BELTS, SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 JIM BUTLER SOUTH COUNTY SATURN, ST LOUIS, MO) THEN WOULD NOT RETRACT, MUST FEED BELTS BACK INTO SLOT; WILL NOT RETURN TO DEALER, AS TOO MANY BAD EXPERIENCES W/THIS DEALERSHIP. APPROX 2002-03 (APPROX 80-100K MILES) STARTED USING 2 QTS OIL PER MONTH, NOW USES 3+ QTS PER MONTH MINIMUM. APPROX 2009 STARTED USING ENIGINE COOLANT EXCESSIVELY; MUST CARRY EXTRA QTS OIL, 1 GALLON ENGINE COOLANT IN CAR AT ALL TIMES, CHECKING AT EVERY FUEL FILL-UP OR BEFORE LEAVING HOME. BATTERY DEAD OCT 2011, REPLACED-STILL LOSES CHARGE OVERNIGHT;CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, FUSES, IGNITION-COULD REMOVE KEY WHILE CAR STILL RUNNING WHILE STOPPED. STILL SITTING IN DRIVEWAY AS CANNOT FIGURE OUT ELEC PROBLEM. 206K MI. PURCH 10-96 WITH 13 MI ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10402460May 23, 2011
SEATS
1993 SATURN SC2 FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND ALMOST INJURING PASSENGER IN THE CAR. SEAT WILL NO LONGER STAY FORWARD WHICH RESULTS IN SEAT GOING BACK A SOON AS YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10372479December 27, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON SECOND SATURN. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AND MOTOR TO FAIL BELOW BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO BROKE CV JOINT TO TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354319September 7, 2010
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC2 EQUIPPED WITH SIGMA SUPREME TIRES. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. SHE DID NOT WANT TO PROVIDE AN APPROXIMATE SPEED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67,419. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345635July 27, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC2. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, SHE NOTICED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOOSE. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AUGUST 2003, JUNE 2004 AND AUGUST 2006. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER WOULD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,579.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10345468July 23, 2010
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1996 SATURN SC2, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF INTO THE ROADWAY AND BROKE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRACKETS RUSTED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0198-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/02/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10311599February 17, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE ACCELERATES WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR OR NOT, WHETHER PRESSING ON THE BRAKE OR NOT. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS AND WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A FIX FOR IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10308353February 10, 2010
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED CAUSING SEAT BACK TO RECLINE SUDDENLY AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DISASSEMBLY OF THE SEAT AND INSPECTION OF THE RECLINER MECHANISM REVEALED A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH MAKES SUDDEN FAILURE OF THIS MECHANISM HIGHLY LIKELY. FOR THE RECLINER TO HOLD THE SEAT BACK IN POSITION, TWO INTERNAL OPERATING LEVERS MUST REMAIN ALIGNED IN THE SAME PLANE. THESE ARE HELD IN ALIGNMENT BY A VERY THIN METAL PLATE (ABOUT 1MM THICK). THIS PLATE WAS BENT CAUSING THE INTERNAL OPERATING LEVERS TO MISALIGN AND THE SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE. DUE TO THE THINNESS AND LACK OF STRENGTH OF THE ALIGNMENT PLATE, THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY LIKELY. YOUR DATABASE SHOWS AT LEAST TWO OTHER SIMILAR FAILURES IN 1993 SATURNS. ALSO NOTE NHTSA ORDERED A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 1994 SATURNS. THE FAILED SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY NHTSA PERSONNEL. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER 1993 SATURNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295916December 15, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE MY GRANDSON WAS DRIVING MY 1998 SATURN SC2, ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CAR ON THE DRIVERS' SIDE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10274084June 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND TODAY IT WAS MAKING A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION AS IF A FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGING. I'VE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & A COUPLE OF SENSORS. PLUS, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE NEVER RETRACTED CORRECTLY AND FREQUENTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267543May 2, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN 1996 SATURN SC2 PURCHASED IN 2007,IT IS SPORTY AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. NOW HOWEVER I AM VERY UNHAPPY,THE STARTER WENT FIRST,THEM THE GENERATOR. THE OTHER DAY MY HUSBANDS SUBARU WAS DOWN WHILE RUNNING HIM FOR PARTS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR STARTED MISSING BUCKING AND LOST POWER,I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME,I AM DISABLED MY HUSBAND IS LAID OFF & DOES ALL REPAIR WORK,HAS TRIED EVERYTHING AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. THE CAR HAS HAD A OIL LEAK SINCE I PURCHASED IT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND WERE IT IS,AND IT JUST GETS WORSE. THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN,I DROVE MY FIRST AN SL1 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPAIR IT. BUT THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND I MUST HAVE A RELIABLE AUTO,WITH NO MONEY WHERE DO I GO? HELP SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS,I EXPECT TO HAVE SOME REPAIRS WITH A CAR THIS OLD BUT THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264979April 11, 2009
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF RAILS, AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THE CLIPS THAT THE SUNROOF RUNS ALONG TO RAISE AND RETURN THE WINDOW TO ITS CLOSED POSITION, ARE DEFECTIVE. THE COMPANY'S ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM IS TO SELL YOU A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT KIT IN WHICH MOST OF THE PARTS ARE NOT EVEN NECESSARY. THIS IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CLIPS, THAT THERE ARE ACTUALLY COMPANY'S THAT SELL THE PARTS AROUND THIS PROBLEM THAT SELL NON DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264892April 10, 2009
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE, JUST BROKE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SATURN SC2. THE PLASTIC BALL THAT HOLDS THE CABLE IN THE SHIFT LEVER COMMONLY BREAKS. INSTEAD OF SELLING A DEVICE TO REPAIR THE CABLE, THE REQUIRE YOU TO BUY THE ENTIRE CABLE THAT COSTS AROUND $500.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261315March 9, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE KEY RELEASED; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE DRIVER MANEUVERED THE KEY IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE TO TEN MINUTES. SUDDENLY, THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE DESIGNATED OFF POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY DISCOVERED RECALL NUMBER 97-C02 (IGNITION CYLINDER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 216,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258552February 13, 2009
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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 THAT NO REPAIR WAS MADE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PAPERWORK SHOWING THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD TAKE 10% OFF OF THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN UPDATED 03/23/09. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248407November 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IGNITION STUCK AND CANNOT START OR STEER CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244124October 1, 2008
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC2. THE VEHICLE HAS SEARS GUARSDMAN TIRES. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES HAD A COMPLETE BLOW OUT. A THIRD TIRE HAS A BULGE THAT CAN BE PUSHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234341July 15, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
I HEAR A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SUNROOF NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME OVER $1000. I TOLD THEM NO BECAUSE I THINK IT SHOULD BE FREE SINCE A LOT OF SATURN OWNERS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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