SATURN SC · model year

1996 SATURN SC

41 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996SATURNSC carries 41 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 8 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 1996 SC is engine and engine cooling with 4 filings, followed by structure:body (3) and suspension:front (2). 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 1996 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.

41
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

41 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SEATS2
SUSPENSION:REAR1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
AIR BAGS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1

Recent Complaints

20181220STRUCTURE:BODY

DRIVERS SEAT WON'T STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN I LEAN BACK WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE, WHETHER I AM IN MOTION OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF MANY CARS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. ALSO THE TRUNK LATCH IS NOT OPERABLE USING THE CABLE.

Mileage: 137,000

20181220SEATS

DRIVERS SEAT WON'T STAY IN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN I LEAN BACK WITH SLIGHT PRESSURE, WHETHER I AM IN MOTION OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH. AS A PREVIOUS OWNER OF MANY CARS, I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. ALSO THE TRUNK LATCH IS NOT OPERABLE USING THE CABLE.

Mileage: 137,000

20170128CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE AT IMPACT

Mileage: 91,831

20170128CrashSERVICE BRAKES

LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE AT IMPACT

Mileage: 91,831

20170128CrashENGINE

LIGTHLY APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP AT INTERSECTION; THOUGH I HAD FOOT PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, ENTERED INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A PASSING CAR; THIS WAS WITHIN AN HOUR OF PICKING UP THE CAR FROM GARAGE WHERE REPAIRS HAD BEEN DONE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM; AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE AT IMPACT

Mileage: 91,831

20120613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SC1 SATURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN SOUNDED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUSE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SHUT THE HORN OFF. IN ADDITION, THE HORN ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,782.

20080222ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS WHAT I PURCHASED FROM SATURN AND I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. THE MOST RECENT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER '06. AS I WAS EXASPERATED BY SATURN AND THIS VEHICLE I WAS SOLD, I SUED THE SATURN CORPORATION IN THE RICHMOND COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION FOR THE COST OF THE FOURTH HEAD GASKET. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

20080222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS WHAT I PURCHASED FROM SATURN AND I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. THE MOST RECENT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER '06. AS I WAS EXASPERATED BY SATURN AND THIS VEHICLE I WAS SOLD, I SUED THE SATURN CORPORATION IN THE RICHMOND COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION FOR THE COST OF THE FOURTH HEAD GASKET. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

20080222SEATS

AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS WHAT I PURCHASED FROM SATURN AND I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. THE MOST RECENT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER '06. AS I WAS EXASPERATED BY SATURN AND THIS VEHICLE I WAS SOLD, I SUED THE SATURN CORPORATION IN THE RICHMOND COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION FOR THE COST OF THE FOURTH HEAD GASKET. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

20080222EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 SATURN SC1 WITH 68,000 MILES, THIS CAR HAS HAD FOUR HEAD GASKETS REPLACED ORIGINATING WHEN THIS CAR WAS UNDER A YEAR OLD. IN ADDITION TO THESE REPEATED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURES MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF ALARM SYSTEMS, RADIO, ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND A DEFECTIVE FRONT SEAT. THIS IS WHAT I PURCHASED FROM SATURN AND I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION. THE MOST RECENT HEAD GASKET FAILURE OCCURRED IN NOVEMBER '06. AS I WAS EXASPERATED BY SATURN AND THIS VEHICLE I WAS SOLD, I SUED THE SATURN CORPORATION IN THE RICHMOND COUNTY SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION FOR THE COST OF THE FOURTH HEAD GASKET. *TR

Mileage: 11,000

20070620UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE DASHBOARD HAD ONE LONG CRACK AND ONE SHORT CRACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

Mileage: 33,000

20041025LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

I DRIVE A 1996 SATURN SC-1. WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY YESTERDAY, THE GEARSHIFT WENT "LIMP" AND I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND DRIVE. I REMOVED THE CENTER CONSOLE, AND FOUND THAT WHAT I LATER FOUND OUT TO BE THE "SHIFTER LINKAGE BUSHING" HAD BROKEN IN HALF, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE FIX. AFTER TWO AUTO PARTS STORES, THE SATURN DEALERSHIP, AND A LOT OF ONLINE RESEARCH, I FIND OUT THAT SATURN DECIDED TO STOP MAKING THAT PART, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CABLE ASSEMBLY GOING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. SO, FOR A .50 CENT PART, I WOULD BE FORCED TO PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO GET THIS FIXED, AS REPLACING A BUSHING IS SOMETHING I AM CAPABLE OF DOING AT HOME, BUT CRACKING OPEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT. I AM APPALLED THAT SATURN DOESN'T MAKE OR CARRY THE PARTS TO REPLACE AN ITEM ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. I REALIZE THEY STILL HAVE A FIX FOR THIS, BUT I WOULD CATEGORIZE THAT FIX AS EXTORTI

Mileage: 105,000

20040622VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN "ON" IN THE "OFF" POSITION. I MUST TURN "ON" THE WIPERS IN ORDER TO TURN THEM "OFF". NO DELAY WIPER SPEED.*AK

Mileage: 888,900

20040520ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING RIP OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AT MY FEET AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PRACTICALLY STEER ITSELF, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE CAR HAD BEEN STRIPPED DOWN TO THE FRAME. THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS FROM THE BATTERY, THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INTO THE DASH HAD BEEN RIPPED OUT AND WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT AXEL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING A TOTAL LOSS. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $3,600.00 AND ONCE THE CAR IS REPAIRED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER DAMAGE WITHIN THE ELECTR

Mileage: 80,200

20040520STRUCTURE:BODY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING RIP OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AT MY FEET AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PRACTICALLY STEER ITSELF, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE CAR HAD BEEN STRIPPED DOWN TO THE FRAME. THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS FROM THE BATTERY, THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INTO THE DASH HAD BEEN RIPPED OUT AND WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT AXEL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING A TOTAL LOSS. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $3,600.00 AND ONCE THE CAR IS REPAIRED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER DAMAGE WITHIN THE ELECTR

Mileage: 80,200

20040520ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. AS I SLOWED THERE WAS A TEARING SOUND FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE. ALMOST INSTANTLY PARTS FROM THAT PART OF THE CAR, SUCH AS THE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL, BEGAN BREAKING OFF OF THE CAR. THEN I FELT SOMETHING RIP OUT FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD AT MY FEET AND THE CAR BEGAN TO PRACTICALLY STEER ITSELF, I REALIZED THAT I WAS IN TROUBLE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT HURTING MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I COULD SEE THAT FROM THE FRONT BUMPER TO THE FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THE CAR HAD BEEN STRIPPED DOWN TO THE FRAME. THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT RUNS FROM THE BATTERY, THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND INTO THE DASH HAD BEEN RIPPED OUT AND WRAPPED AROUND THE FRONT AXEL. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY VEHICLE BEING A TOTAL LOSS. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS IS $3,600.00 AND ONCE THE CAR IS REPAIRED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THERE MAY BE FURTHER DAMAGE WITHIN THE ELECTR

Mileage: 80,200

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HEAD GASKET BLOWN, HEAD CRACKED, ENGINE OIL AND COOLANT MIXING. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. SATURN SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER THE EXPENSES AS I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD (6 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES)

Mileage: 73,815

20031008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING HORN PROBLEMS. THE FUSE HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP BLOWING. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF THE HORN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THEY INSIST THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED. *AK

20030730ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

JUNE 1999 SATURN SENT A NOTICE REGARDING THE CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT THAT MAY OCCUR. THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES OR 6 YEARS. HOWEVER KNOWING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP, I ATTEMPTED CONTACT WITH LESS THAN 69,000 MILES ON MY SATURN WHEN THE CYLINDER HEAD SHOWED ALL THE SIGNS OF A CRACK. THIS INCLUDED OIL IN THE RADIATOR. SATURN ACCEPTS NO LIABILITY FOR THIS SEEING IT OUT OF THE SIX YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER IT IS WELL WITHIN THE 100,000 MILE MILEAGE PERIOD.

Mileage: 68,825

20030709POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

SHIFT LINKAGE BUSHING UNAVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT FROM MANUFACTURER.*AK

Mileage: 71,290

Compare 1996SATURNSC to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 SATURN SC have?
The 1996 SATURN SC has 41 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 SATURN SC?
The most-complained component for the 1996 SATURN SC is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1996 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.