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1997 Saturn SC1 problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Saturn SC1 is seat belts. It has 2.4 times the complaints of a typical SC1 model year.

Typical year2.4x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
61
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
3
Worst area
Seat belts

The worst 1997 Saturn SC1 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Saturn SC1

Seat belt 7

Recalls 3

Seat belts: front: retractorReported September 22, 1997 · 26,135 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the driver or front passenger safety belt is pulled out much faster than normal, a number of time, the lock-up feature of the retractor will not work properly.
Risk
In a rapid deceleration or vehicle crash, the occupant would not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger safety belt retractor.

Recall number 97V161000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported September 22, 1997 · 37,970 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The section of the owner's handbook titled "horizontal aim" does not specifically instruct an owner how to adjust the headlamp horizontal aim. This does not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk
A vehicle's headlamp would not be properly adjusted causing visibility problems to oncoming vehicles.
Remedy
Owners are being provided with a label with the correct information on headlamp horizontal aim to be placed over the existing text in the owner's handbook. If an owner desires, their dealer can place the sticker in the owner's handbook for them.

Recall number 97V162000 · Recall details

SeatsReported August 23, 1996 · 3,472 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The front passenger seats have less lock pawl engagement on the inboard fore/aft adjuster than specified. This does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems."
Risk
This condition could result in seat movement with a belted occupant during a moderate to severe frontal impact.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger seat inboard fore/aft adjuster.

Recall number 96V153000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1997 Saturn SC1

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Saturn SC1 3

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 1997 Saturn SC1 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 3, 2012 · Electrical, Seat belts · MO

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2009 · Electrical · 216,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Feb 13, 2009 · Seat belts · 109,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2008 · Tires · VA

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.

Filed May 17, 2007 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · AZ

We bought a used saturn 2 years ago from a dealership. Since the day we got the car home we had transmission problems. Mainly when my wife would drive it to get our small children to day care, and she would go to work. When the transmission warmed up it gave her a hard time getting it into gear. Countless times of sitting in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn the light turned red and the opposite traffic got green and started heading toward her honking, she was franticly trying to get the car into gear. Then she would have no choice but to have to injure her hand to slam it into gear to get out of the way as my little ones were crying in the back and she was shaking and upset. We have had vehicle in repair shops countless of times complaining of it, but the extended warranty refused to repair the problem because it was still drivable, according to them. Now as my wife drove our kids to the baby sitters so she could go to work the transmission snapped. About 1 week ago found out the extended warranty expired, and they refused to help. They said we should have filed a report of the problem before it expired,. We explained that we did so many times and they were denied. We have proof from dealerships, but they refused to let us fax the proof.

Filed Oct 15, 2006 · Airbags, Seat belts · 33,750 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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 forward and hit my head on the steering wheel. The seatbelt system failed to constrict my body to the car seat. The front air bag did not deploy. I suffered head, neck, and soft tissue damage to my shoulder and mid back area. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Mar 10, 2006 · Seat belts · 95,000 miles · MO

Dt*: the contact stated the passenger's seat belt retractor jammed. The vehicle was taken to a dealership and the dealer determined the retractor needed to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 97v161000 concerning the seat belts: front: retractor. The vehicle is not included in the recall due to the VIN. No repairs were made.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Engine · 75,999 miles · NH

Drove the car 2 weeks, defective crank shaft, banging in the motor, I can't drive my car. Want saturn to replace defective part.

Filed Jun 3, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · NY

1997 saturn sc2 experienced transmission failure when the spider pin broke. *mr while on an expressway an explosion occurred in the engine. The engine emitted steam and the consumer was unable to engage the gear. Under the vehicle was fluid and pieces of broken metal. The consumer was informed that the spider pin had broken and had come from the carrier jamming itself and caused immediate transmission failure. *sc

Filed Mar 13, 2005 · Seat belts · NC

1) passanger side rear seatbelt locked up and would not realease - making it impossible to use for transporting my infant son in his carseat. Drivers side rear seatbelt will not lock into place - which also makes it impossible to transport my son. Someone tried to fix the seatbelts, but had no luck. *ak 2) placed my son in the passanger side after it was "fixed" - and his carseat flipped up side down - while I was driving around a curve in the are where we live. 3) had more seatbelts given to me from a junk yard in the area. Two friends tried to install these for me, but they too could not get them to latch or lock properly. I am a single parent with one vehicle , who is unable to transport my son anywhere. My son was a preemie, and it is necessary for me to take him to multiple doctor appointments both locally and in winston- salem.

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Questions about the 1997 Saturn SC1

Is the 1997 Saturn SC1 reliable?

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SC1, 2.4 times a typical SC1 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Saturn SC1?

Seat belts, with 14 complaints. Next is electrical (12).

How many recalls does the 1997 Saturn SC1 have?

3 recalls, covering seat belts, exterior lighting and seats.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Saturn SC1 seat belts?

Yes, 1 recall: 97V161000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Saturn SC1 have the most seat belts problems?

The Saturn SC1 model years with the most seat belts complaints are 1997 (14 complaints), 1994 (12 complaints) and 1998 (10 complaints).

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