Total Complaints
29 filings
SATURN SC1 · model year
29 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001SATURNSC1 carries 29 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 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 2001 SC1 is vehicle speed control with 3 filings, followed by tires:sidewall (2) and power train:manual transmission (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. 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 2001 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
29 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 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.
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 H
Mileage: 77,383
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.
Mileage: 67,419
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.
Mileage: 29,000
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
THE POWER SUNROOF ON MY 2001 SATURN SC-2 WAS MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I OPENED IT AND WHEN IT WAS CLOSING. YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE SATURN DEALER CHARGED $46.00 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS THE MOTOR AND THIS WOULD COST ABOUT $380.00 TO REPLACE. I AGREED TO THE CHARGE. THEN THEY CALLED TO SAY THE NEW MOTOR DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY WANTED AN ADDITIONAL $950.00 TO REPLACE A MODULE. I TOLD THEM NOT TO DO THE WORK; THAT THE PRICE WAS TOO HIGH. THEY SAID THE CAR WAS OLD AND THIS PART ALWAYS FAILS. I ALSO REFUSED TO PAY FOR A MOTOR I DIDN'T NEED SINCE THEY MISDIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS 56,000 MILES AND I LIVE IN MICHIGAN. THE SUNROOF IS ONLY USED A FEW MONTHS A YEAR. THIS IS A FAULTY PART. IF THIS IS A PART THAT "ALWAYS FAILS" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHY HASN'T GM HAD THEM RECALLED, AND REPAIR THEM FOR FREE?
Mileage: 56,139
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC2. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,861 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,622.
Mileage: 44,861
DRIVING A 2001 SATURN SC2 RAN FRONT OF VEHICLE INTO REAR BUMPER OF A FORD TRUCK, COLLISION SPEED APPROX. 35 MPH. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON , THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND WAS KNOCKED OUT. I AM 5'7" AND WAS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION. I SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. *JB
ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2007, I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT ON NORTH AURORA ROAD IN NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. AT THAT TIME, THE CAR REVVED TO 6000 RPM AND WENT FROM 0-40 MPH. I THOUGHT THE ACCELERATOR MUST BE STUCK, SO I TRIED TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T. IT WAS NOT STUCK. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR JUST KEPT REVVING AND GOING 40 MPH. I KNEW I HAD TO GET THE CAR STOPPED OR RISK HITTING CARS AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION OR GOING THROUGH A RED LIGHT. I SAW A ROAD TO THE RIGHT AHEAD OF ME AND DECIDED THAT I HAD TO MAKE THAT TURN. I TURNED ONTO ENTERPRISE ROAD GOING 40 MPH. IT WAS THEN THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE KEY OFF TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A FOULED THROTTLE PLATE. HE "FIXED" THE PROBLEM AND I PICKED THE CAR UP. DRIVING THE CAR TO MY HOME APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AWA
Mileage: 84,000
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE STRIKING ANOTHER MOTORIST AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL MAKING AT LEAST TWO FULL REVOLUTIONS BEFORE COMING TO A REST AGAINST THE GUARD RAILS OF THE MEDIAN. THE OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF THE SCENE AFTER THE POLICE RESPONDED, BUT MY CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR AN AUTOBODY AND ENGINE REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THERE WERE 8 SEPARATE ERROR CODES IN THE COMPUTER. TWO WERE CAM SHAFT ERROR CODES, THREE TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES, A LOW COOLANT ERROR CODE AND A COMMUNICATIONS ERROR CODE. ALL TOGETHER THE MECHANIC ESTIMATED WELL OVER $1000 OF EXPENSE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THAT EXPENSE IN ADDITION TO THE AUTOBODY ESTIMATE O
Mileage: 112,000
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE ON A 3-LANE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NO LIGHTS WERE VISIBLE ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE STRIKING ANOTHER MOTORIST AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL MAKING AT LEAST TWO FULL REVOLUTIONS BEFORE COMING TO A REST AGAINST THE GUARD RAILS OF THE MEDIAN. THE OTHER MOTORIST INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF THE SCENE AFTER THE POLICE RESPONDED, BUT MY CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR AN AUTOBODY AND ENGINE REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THERE WERE 8 SEPARATE ERROR CODES IN THE COMPUTER. TWO WERE CAM SHAFT ERROR CODES, THREE TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES, A LOW COOLANT ERROR CODE AND A COMMUNICATIONS ERROR CODE. ALL TOGETHER THE MECHANIC ESTIMATED WELL OVER $1000 OF EXPENSE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. THAT EXPENSE IN ADDITION TO THE AUTOBODY ESTIMATE O
Mileage: 112,000
I HAVE A 2001 SATURN SC-2 COUPE THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2001. I HAVE ROUTINELY CHANGED THE OIL AND DONE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAS ~75,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TIMING CHAIN RECENTLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND LEARNED THE TIMING CHAIN DID NOT BREAK BUT BECAME LOOSE. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED SATURN ENGINEERS DESIGNED THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUN THE OIL PUMP. THEREFORE, WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN BECAME LOOSE ON MY SATURN,THE OIL PUMP FAILED TO MAINTAIN OIL PRESSURE ON THAT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND SUBSEQUENTLY SHEARED OFF A BEARING THAT TRANSFERS POWER FROM THE CAM SHAFT TO THE PISTONS. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS OCCURRED AS A DIRECT RESULT FROM THE TIMING CHAIN FAILING TO DELIVER POWER TO THE OIL PUMP. I AM LEFT WITH REPLACING THE ENGINE. I AM AWARE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT SATURN RELEASED IN 2003 THAT DIRECTLY INVOLVED PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMING CHAIN AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. I DON'T UNDERST
Mileage: 76,000
I OWN A 2001 SATURN SC2 WITH 84000 MILES. A GEAR IN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL HAS WORN A HOLE THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE BELL HOUSING CAUSING A MAJOR LEAK. I HAVE CONTACTED 5 TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN MY LOCAL AREA AND ALL HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM NUMEROUS TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD ITS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT COVER THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE ONLY WORKED ON THIS ONE DAY AND EVERY SHOP THAT WORKS ON TRANSMISSIONS KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. SATURN SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE AFTER DOING A WHAT LITTLE RESEARCH MY SELF THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AS A MINIMUM THEY SHOULD AT LEAST RELEASE A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. ANY HELP OR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JB
Mileage: 84,000
2001 SATURN SC2 BOUGHT 2/04 20,000 ORGINAL MILES ....... SUPORTING DOCUMENTS STATE THE CAR WAS SITTING AND NOT DRIVEN PRIOR TO PURCHASING. AS OF OCT 2004 AND 30,000 MILES THERE HAS BEEN A LEAK IN EXHAUST, CHECKED WITH SATURN DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW RESONATOR AND PIPE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME APPROX. $400 TO FIX, 2ND PROBLEM IS THAT MY IDLER PULLEY IS BAD AND IN THE PROCESS DISTROYING THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT APPROX. $200 TO REPAIR. I FEEL GM (SATURN) NEED TO OWN UP TO THESE COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THERE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THEM UNDER RECALL. THE NHTSA HAS A SERVICE BULLENTIN ON THE EXHAUST PROBLEM THAT JUST CAME OUT OCT. 2004 BULLENTIN #040605010 (SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR REPLACEMENT OF RESONATOR AND INTERMEDIATE PIPE) I ALSO FEEL A CAR THAT HAS 33,300 MILES SHOULDNT NEED ALL OF THIS KIND OF WORK DONE TO IT WHEN THESE KIND OF ISSUES USUALLY HAPPEN AROUND 60-70,000 MILES ON ANY OTHER NORMAL CAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT, THIS IS MY FIRST ESPECIALLY WITH THIS LOW OF MI
Mileage: 33,300
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE STEERING COLUMN WAS TOO LOOSE. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MANUFACTURED BOLT THAT WAS LOOSE. IT COULD NOT BE TIGHTENED, IT HAD TO BE CUT OFF AND REPLACED. CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEREFORE, IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK
I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM THE MEDFORD SATURN DEALERSHIP, A 2001 SATURN SC2. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ONLY PUT SLIGHTLY LESS THEN 20,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY SUN ROOF THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD IS BROKEN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART OF THE PLASTIC GLIDERS. I TOOK MY CAR TO SATURN AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THEIR DEFECT AND WANTED OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND TOLD ME I HAD OTHER THINGS WRONG WITH THE CAR THAT THEY WOULD FIX FOR ANOTHER 995.00 DOLLARS. OH, AND IF I WANTED MY SUN ROOF FIXED THEY WOULD GIVE ME A DEAL BUT ONLY IF I HAD THIS OTHER SUPPOSED WORK DONE THEIR AT THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN MEDFORD, OREGON. I WAS VERY UPSET AND THE MANAGER WOULD NOT SPEAK TO ME. THEN THEY REFUSED TO GIVE ME A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THE SUNROOF AND OTHER SUPPOSED PROBLEMS. I WAS THEN TOLD TO CALL A SPECIAL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY WOULD HELP. UPON CALLING THIS NUMBER I WAS TOLD I SHOULD HAVE
Mileage: 51,000
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION FAILED AND FLUID LEAKED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Mileage: 38,000
THE VEHICLE HAD 7 DIFFERENT INTERNAL LEAKS IN THE PASSENGER CABIN FROM THE WINDOWS, SUNROOF, ETC. WHICH RESULTED IN SERIOUS RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERIOR 3 TIMES AND THE HEADLINER TWICE. CONSUMER STATED THAT MOLD "SPORES" HAD FORMED IN THE VEHICLE. *AK *CB *JB **CONSUMER REQUESTS CALL BACK FROM AN ODI INVESTIGATOR**
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WAS NOT DESIGNED PROPERLY. *JB
WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING CONSUMER CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION, AND VEHICLE WOULD STILL BE RUNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION HEADLIGHTS SHORT OUT, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *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.