Total Complaints
10 filings
SATURN SC1 · model year
10 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2000SATURNSC1 carries 10 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 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 2000 SC1 is air bags:frontal with 2 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition (2) and latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (1). 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. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2000 SC1. 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.
Total Complaints
10 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
IGNITION STUCK AND CANNOT START OR STEER CAR. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
IGNITION STUCK AND CANNOT START OR STEER CAR. *TR
Mileage: 150,000
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE WHEELS JERKED TO THE LEFT, SENDING HER INTO A PARKED CAR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNRESPONSIVE TO STEERING. UPON EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT LEFT SPINDLE HAD SNAPPED AND ALSO IN THE PROCESS HAD BROKEN THE LEFT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN NO UNDUE STRESS ON THE SPINDLE; IT JUST FAILED OUTRIGHT WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AT A SHOP 1 WEEK PRIOR. *TR
Mileage: 74,000
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE WHEELS JERKED TO THE LEFT, SENDING HER INTO A PARKED CAR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNRESPONSIVE TO STEERING. UPON EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT LEFT SPINDLE HAD SNAPPED AND ALSO IN THE PROCESS HAD BROKEN THE LEFT SIDE TIE ROD. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED. THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN NO UNDUE STRESS ON THE SPINDLE; IT JUST FAILED OUTRIGHT WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR HAD BEEN SERVICED AND HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AT A SHOP 1 WEEK PRIOR. *TR
Mileage: 74,000
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WITH THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT I FELT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVERS SEAT WENT INTO THE FULL RECLINE POSITION BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT. I CONSIDER BOTH OF THESE FAILURES. *NM
Mileage: 46,000
IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE FROZE UP! UNABLE TO STEER, SHIFT GEARS OR RESTART ENGINE! UNABLE TO TOW CAR TO SATURN DEALER BECAUSE OF LOCATION. TRIED ALL RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTHING WORKS! LOCKSMITH INFORMS ME THIS IS SPECIFIC TO SATURN! ONLY POSSIBILITY THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DRILL OUT TUMBLER IN IGNITION LOCK! SATURN REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH REQUEST FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCY PROCEDURES! SATURN HQ CAN NOT BE CONTACTED BY CUSTOMER!! CAR HAS ONLY 32,000 MILES & WARRANTY NO LONGER COVERS THIS! SEARCHED INTERNET CONSUMERS AFFAIRS & FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH SAME THING! OTHERS HAD DAMAGE & INJURIES & EVEN HAD CARS TOTALED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING!!! I WAS INFORMED BY PHONE FROM SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THIS WAS COMPANY "PRIVILEGED INFORMATION" & SATURN REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH MY REQUEST!! OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!! THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED CASE!!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN!! THANK GOD MY CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME--THE OTHERS WERE NOT SO LUCKY! ONE GOT WRAPPED A
Mileage: 32,000
WHEN DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED, "FROM A FAST STOP, ECT..." AND PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT FROM THE BODY. THE BELT IS FED FROM THE ROOF OF THE CAR THOUGH A LOOP ATTACHED ON THE HEAD RESTRAINT, WHEN MINIMAL PRESSURE IS PUT ON THE BELT IT TWIST'S THE HEAD RESTRAINT TO A BREAKING/ BENDING POSITION AND ALLOWS WAY TOO MUCH SLACK IN THE BELT. MY CONCERN IS THAT IN EVEN A MODERATE FRONTAL COLLISION WITH NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE HEAD RESTRAINT WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE THE PERSON OCCUPYING THAT SEAT TO STRIKE THE INTERIOR. OR IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT THE PERSON NOT BEING PROPERLY RESTRAINED WITH POSSIBLE AIRBAG INJURY. *JB
Mileage: 57,000
THERE IS A METALLIC SOUND; A MECHANIC SAID THAT THE DRIVER- SIDE FRONT STRUT MAY BE FAULTY; THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT;;MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKE PADS ARE OK; THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AND WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55MPH; ANOTHER MECHANIC WILL CHECK THE ROTORS AND FRONT BALL JOINTS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE IS THAT IT SPINS WOBBLY AND THE SURFACE OF THE TIRE IS UNEVEN. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND BALANCED WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THE STRUT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE TIRE DAMAGE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON A 2-LANE HIGHWAY TRAVELLING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ANTELOPE RAN OUT IN FRONT OF US. MY HUSBAND TRIED TO AVOID HITTING THE ANIMAL AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE ENDED UP AIRBORN AND DROVE OFF A 30 FOOT EMBANKMENT. THE CAR LANDED NOSE FIRST ON THE GROUND. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THANKFULLY, EVERYONE ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED, THIS ALL AFTER ONLY OWNING THE VEHICLE TWO WEEKS. I FEEL THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR LOW IMPACT IN FRONTAL CRASHES. IF HITTING SOLID GROUND NOSE FIRST AT 65 MPH ISN'T LOW IMPACT, I WOULD HATE TO SEE WHAT IS! *AK
NONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE APPLIED TO MY COMPLAINT ON THE SC2. MY MAIN SAFETY CHILD ISSUE WITH THE 3RD DOOR IS THAT IT IS A TRAP WHEN SOMEONE ELSE PARKS NEXT TO YOU AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR! I SPECIFICALLY TOOK MY CHILD TO PURCHASE THE SL2 AND HAD IT DEMOED IN AN OPEN AREA VS A CONFINED AREA WHICH DID NOT MAKE MY PROBLEM ARISE TILL I HAD THE CAR IN A TRAPPED CONFINED AREA AND COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND 3RD DOOR TO GET OUT!*AK
Electric Power Steering Failure
Electric Power Steering Failure
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES STICK UNLATCHED
TIMING CHAIN BREAKS, ENGINE STALL
TIMING CHAIN FAILURE-STALL
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.