NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Saturn SC Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Saturn SC has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 33 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saturn dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Saturn SC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Saturn SC owner complaints

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Saturn SC, describing incidents dated December 18, 1996 to March 15, 2022.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 10 complaints
Seat Belts 6 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Air Bags 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Tires 3 complaints

Of the 33 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 33 complaints, owners report 1 injury and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11456745 · Filed March 15, 2022
Right front passenger seat belt male mechanism is locked up and will not extend to lock in female mechanism. Unusable.
ODI #10721642 · Filed May 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THERE WERE NUMEROUS KEYS ON THE KEY RING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *TT…
ODI #10537943 · Filed August 29, 2013
I HAVE 2 SATURNS (SC AND SL) BOTH ARE 1997'S. BOTH HAVE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE. SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING THE POWER BUT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT. BOTH CARS START WITH A JUMP AND RUN FINE IF DRIVEN OFTEN. BUT IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN A DAY, THE BATTERY…

Read all 33 complaints

GM/FMVSS 108/OWNER'S MANUAL

NHTSA #97V162000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 37,970 vehicles

Owners notified September 22, 1997 · Vehicles built July 1, 1996 – February 28, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000 (PROMPT 3). ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

GM/SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

NHTSA #97V161000 · Seat Belts — Front — Retractor · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 1997 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 26,135 vehicles

Owners notified September 22, 1997 · Vehicles built May 1, 1996 – November 30, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

Notes

GM/INTERIOR; SEATS.

NHTSA #96V153000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported August 23, 1996 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 3,472 vehicles

Owners notified August 21, 1996 · Vehicles built May 1, 1996 – July 31, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEAT MOVEMENT WITH A BELTED OCCUPANT DURING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1996. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREEDUPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Saturn SC. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

33 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Saturn SC.

Seat Belts

ODI #11456745

Incident: March 15, 2022 · Filed: March 15, 2022

Right front passenger seat belt male mechanism is locked up and will not extend to lock in female mechanism. Unusable.

Electrical System

ODI #10721642

Incident: July 10, 2014 · Filed: May 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THERE WERE NUMEROUS KEYS ON THE KEY RING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. *TT *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10537943

Incident: July 21, 2013 · Filed: August 29, 2013

I HAVE 2 SATURNS (SC AND SL) BOTH ARE 1997'S. BOTH HAVE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHERE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE. SOMETHING SEEMS TO BE DRAINING THE POWER BUT NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT. BOTH CARS START WITH A JUMP AND RUN FINE IF DRIVEN OFTEN. BUT IF THE CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN A DAY, THE BATTERY IS DRAINED.

Electrical System

ODI #10537941

Incident: August 1, 2012 · Filed: August 29, 2013

BATTERY KEPT BEING DRAINED.

Electrical System; Tires

ODI #10523331

Incident: July 4, 2013 · Filed: July 5, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 SC SATURN NORTH BOUND FL TURNPIKE WHEN THE ROAD FELT REALLY BUMPY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE ELECTRICAL (CABLES/WIRES)COMPONENTS FLEW & SPLASH AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD BLOCKING MY VIEW, "OH MY GOD" I IMMEDIATELY EDGE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION, CONTACTED GEICO ROAD SERVICE. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT ONE OF THE LEMANS TIRE (RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE) TREAD HAD COMPLETELY PEELED & BLOWN OFF. APPARENTLY, AS THE TIRE BEGAN TO FAIL THE STEEL BELTS FROM THE TIRE DESTROYED THE INNER FENDER, THE OUTER FENDER AND RIPPED OUT THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT PROVIDED POWER TO ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SUCH AS DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS ETC. IT APPEARS THAT THE PLACEMENT OF THIS WIRING HARNESS OVER THE FRONT WHEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND NOT OVER A WHEEL AND WITH NO PROTECTION. *TR

Electrical System; Tires; Engine

ODI #10523229

Incident: July 4, 2013 · Filed: July 5, 2013

I WAS DRIVING THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLE (SATURN SC1 1997) NORTH BOUND ON FL TURNPIKE WHEN THE ROAD FELT REALLY BUMPY AND SUDDENLY PIECES OF DEBRIS STARTED FLYING BY THE WINDOW AND A LARGE BUNDLE OF WIRES WAS FLAPPING ON THE HOOD, COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR; WHICH I HAD TO EASED OVER TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND CONTACTED GEICO ROAD SERVICE. APPARENTLY, THE CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WERE AS FOLLOWS: THE LEMANS/BRIDGESTONE TIRE (P195-60R15) TREAD COMPLETED PEELED OFF THE TIRE WITH SUCH FORCE..THAT IT GOT SHREDDED THE FENDER AND RIPPED OUT A LARGE BUNDLE OF ELECTRICAL CABLES THAT WAS IN THE FENDER. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED, THE WIRE CABLE RAN FROM THE FUSE BOX IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVER THE WHEEL IN THE FENDER, TO PROVIDE POWER TO VIRTUALLY EVERY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT IN THE CAR, AND WAS RIPPED OUT OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A HIGHLY HAZARDOUS & DANGEROUS INCIDENT...THE PICTURES ARE EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE! BE CAREFUL!!!! *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10514631

Crash

Incident: March 8, 2013 · Filed: June 1, 2013

I TRIED BRAKING HARD AND MY PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED AND THEN I HIT A CAR ON THE SIDE. I COULD HAVE AVOIDED IT IF MY BRAKES WEREN'T BAD. I HAD NEW BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS AND IT WAS STILL LOW. *TR

Tires

ODI #10380680

Incident: February 1, 2011 · Filed: February 9, 2011

1997 SATURN SC. CONSUMER WRITES IN FOLLOW UP TO A REQUEST FOR ADJUSTMENT ON HIS GENERAL TIRES DUE TO PREMATURE WARE *TGW THE CONSUMER WARRANTY CLAIM WAS DENIED BASED ON THE STATED POSITION THAT THE TIRES WERE OLDER THAN THE WARRANTY COVERED; 72 MONTHS. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THE TIRES WERE NEW WHEN HE PURCHASED THEM ON NOVEMBER 18, 2006. HE WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD BEEN SITTING ON THE SHELF FOR 3 YEARS. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10275494

Incident: April 4, 2006 · Filed: July 1, 2009

I BOUGHT MY SATURN SC1 SERIES 1997 AT 83,000 MILES. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HAD IT CHECKED AT AUTO ZONE, SECOND GEAR TO RATIO WAS OFF, A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, 90,000 I LOST REVERSE. I DROVE WITHOUT REVERSE FOR 2 YEARS UNTIL I COULD AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. THE TRANSMISSION GUY TOLD ME THAT THE NUT/BOLT THAT HOLDS THE GEARS TWISTED OFF CRACKED THE SHELL OF THE TRANSMISSION. NOT GOOD AT ALL, I HAD TO PUT A FULL BOTTLE OF TRANNY FLUID IN IT 2-3 TIMES A WEEK FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS. AND HAD TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF AS IT WAS A DEFECT OF THE MAKER, NOT MINE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SATURN. EVER. SAD THING IS, I'M STILL PAYING ON IT. *TR

Seat Belts

ODI #10231696

Incident: February 26, 1998 · Filed: June 20, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SC1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK FEATURE OF THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HE IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V161000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT PAID $400 TO HAVE THE RETRACTOR REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

Other Saturn SC model years

Check your 1997 Saturn SC VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saturn SC at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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