Total Complaints
50 filings
SATURN SC · model year
1995 SATURN SC
50 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995SATURNSC carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 SC is seats:front assembly:recliner with 7 filings, followed by seats (7) and vehicle speed control (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 1995 SC. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
50
Complaints
12
Crashes
0
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 7 |
| SEATS | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 1 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20120328SEAT BELTS
WE HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS AS OF NOW, BUT THE FRONT SEATBELTS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN BRAKING HARD. *TR
20091204PARKING BRAKE
MY 95 SATURN SC1 SERIES PARKING BRAKE LEVER BUTTON POPPED. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE LEVER STOPPED WORKING. *TR
Mileage: 165,000
20050602CrashAIR BAGS
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
Mileage: 183,822
20050602CrashSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
Mileage: 183,822
20040422FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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!
Mileage: 48,561
20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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!
Mileage: 48,561
20030407POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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
Mileage: 68,000
20030127AIR BAGS
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
20030127STEERING:RACK AND PINION
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
20030120SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
Mileage: 94,450
20021231SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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
20021202SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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
20021114SEATS
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS SHIFTED BACKWARD, AFFECTING CONSUMER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MR *JB
20020821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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
20020821UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
20020815CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
20020626SEATS
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
20020606SEATS
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
20011207SEATS
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
20011115LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
Compare 1995SATURNSC to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
EA11014Engineering AnalysisClosed
Electric Power Steering Failure
RQ10004Recall QueryClosed
Electric Power Steering Failure
PE09016Preliminary EvaluationClosed
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
PE08061Preliminary EvaluationClosed
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
DP08002Defect PetitionClosed
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1995 SATURN SC have?▼
The 1995 SATURN SC has 50 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 SATURN SC?▼
The most-complained component for the 1995 SATURN SC is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER with 7 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1995 SATURN SC safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.