NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Saturn SC Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Saturn SC has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 24 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 1999 Saturn SC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1999 Saturn SC owner complaints

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Saturn SC, describing incidents dated September 4, 1999 to October 5, 2014.

Most-cited components

Engine 7 complaints
Air Bags 4 complaints
Seats 3 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints

Of the 24 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 24 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10822401 · Filed January 26, 2016
MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE HIT CONCRETE DIVIDER, AIRBAG KNOCKED ME OUT, AFTER FRONT OF CAR HIT EMBANKMENT, THEN I WOKE UP FROM THE SMOKE, SMELL OF FIRE COMING FROM AIRBAG.
ODI #10578526 · Filed April 9, 2014
ON MAY 12, 2012 I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE (PART NUMBER LX386) ON MY 1999 SATURN SC2. THEN ON DECEMBER 5, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY IN NYC AND MY CAR DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO…
ODI #10300201 · Filed January 18, 2010
TODAY I WENT TO PUT MY 1999 5 SPEED SATURN SC1 INTO REVERSE. WHEN I DID, I FELT A POP AND WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. AFTER REMOVING THE CONSOLE, WE FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING HOLDING THE GEARSHIFT ROD TO THE CABLE HAD SNAPPED. (LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED). THIS COULD'VE BEEN A…

Read all 24 complaints

GM/FMVSS 210/SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE

NHTSA #99V280000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 1999 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 265,698 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99067/99-C-02 · Owners notified October 29, 1999 · Vehicles built April 1, 1998 – August 31, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND TORQUE OF THE SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 909067/SATURN RECALL NO. 99-C-02.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 29, 1999.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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Saturn SC. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

24 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Saturn SC.

Air Bags; Structure

ODI #10822401

Crash Fire 1 injury

Incident: October 5, 2014 · Filed: January 26, 2016

MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE HIT CONCRETE DIVIDER, AIRBAG KNOCKED ME OUT, AFTER FRONT OF CAR HIT EMBANKMENT, THEN I WOKE UP FROM THE SMOKE, SMELL OF FIRE COMING FROM AIRBAG.

Electrical System

ODI #10578526

Incident: May 12, 2012 · Filed: April 9, 2014

ON MAY 12, 2012 I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE (PART NUMBER LX386) ON MY 1999 SATURN SC2. THEN ON DECEMBER 5, 2013, I WAS DRIVING ON THE GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY IN NYC AND MY CAR DIED. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE MY WAY OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY PARKWAY. I WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND ONCE AGAIN I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION MODULE. I'M WONDERING WHY MY CAR ISN'T ON THE RECALL LIST FOR THE GM IGNITION SWITCH AS I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART TWICE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS AND I'M VERY WORRIED THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IN MY CAR WHICH COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS CRASH WHERE MY AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10300201

Incident: January 18, 2010 · Filed: January 18, 2010

TODAY I WENT TO PUT MY 1999 5 SPEED SATURN SC1 INTO REVERSE. WHEN I DID, I FELT A POP AND WAS STUCK IN REVERSE. AFTER REMOVING THE CONSOLE, WE FOUND THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING HOLDING THE GEARSHIFT ROD TO THE CABLE HAD SNAPPED. (LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS OCCURRED). THIS COULD'VE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. SATURN REFUSES TO SELL THE BUSHING BY ITSELF AND WILL ONLY SELL IT AS A PART OF A $250 GEARSHIFT CABLE KIT, EVEN THOUGH THE BUSHING IS THE ONLY BROKEN PART. THE SERVICE/PARTS EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THE BUSHING WERE MADE OF METAL AND NOT PLASTIC IT PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BROKEN. WE TEMPORARILY WIRED THE ROD TO THE CABLE TO GET HOME, BUT DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL IT IS PERMANENTLY FIXED. IT IS A RIP-OFF THAT SATURN WILL NOT SELL THE REPLACEMENT PART FOR A REASONABLE PRICE. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10235165

Incident: July 10, 2008 · Filed: July 21, 2008

1999 SATURN AND I HAVE HAD BIG PROBLEMS GETTING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANY CAR. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10132492

Crash 1 injury

Incident: August 5, 2005 · Filed: August 11, 2005

DT:THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SC1. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 5, 2005 WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE FRONT DRIVER OR THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE AND BOTH HAVD SEAT BELTS ON. PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT ARE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND ONE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10128938

Incident: July 7, 2005 · Filed: July 15, 2005

PURCHASED CAR JUNE OF 2004. CAR WAS ONE DAY OLD AND THE FUSE PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN OIL WAS HAVING TO BE ADDED. CALLED SATURN AND WAS INFORMED SATURN CARS HAVE A BEEN KNOW TO GO THROUGH OIL. CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING HOT ADDED COOLENT TO NOTICE THE COOLENT SEEMED TO BE THICK WITH OIL. FLUSHED SYSTEM ADDED NEW COOLENT. CAR RAN EVEN HOTTER WAS TOLD OIL IN RADIATOR, NEED TO PUT IN NEW RADIATOR. DID THIS AND PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WAS THEN TOLD HEADS WERE CRACKED. CALLED SATURN AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON WEB SITE WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS RECALLS ON FAULTY ENGINE UP TO 1999 MODEL. AND 2000 MODEL. MY CAR YEAR WAS MISSED.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10090121

Incident: August 31, 2004 · Filed: September 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED FROM THE ENGINE, AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK *NM

Seat Belts

ODI #10087317

Incident: August 5, 2004 · Filed: August 5, 2004

CONSUMER'S SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NOT UNLOCK AFTER HER SON CAME OUT OF CAR SEAT AND GOT TANGLED IN THE CAR SEATBELT. TODDLER BECAME WRAPPED IN THE SEATBELT, THE LATCH WOULD NOT WORK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REMOVED THE CHILD BY CUTTING THE SEAT BELT OFF.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10072775

Incident: May 1, 2003 · Filed: May 17, 2004

VEHICLES STARTED CONSUMING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AROUND MARCH 2003. REPORTED TO DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT. I HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES.ON APRIL 18TH 2003 THE DEALER DISCOVERED AND HAD TO REPLACE LEAKING VALVE SEALS, CARBONED PISTON RINGS AND CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS. IN DEC. 2003 THE VEHICLE BEGAN MIXING OIL & COOLANT. DEALER REPLACED CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD COSTING OVER $2000.00. THIS VEHICLE IS A LEMON AND SHOULD NOT HAVE NEEDED 2 MAJOR ENGINE REPAIRS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10065991

Incident: November 28, 2003 · Filed: April 12, 2004

I CALLED SATURN TO SAY MY LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP. SATURN SUGGESTED A PRESSURE TEST. "SATURN STATES PRESSURE TESTED COOLING SYSTEM/NO EXTERNAL LEAKS FOUND/REMOVED CAM COVER AND FOUND A CRACK IN CYLINDER HEAD AT CAM#5 JOURNAL, CAUSING OIL AND COOLANT TO MIX TOGETHER/NEEDS NEW CYLINDER HEAD,THERMOSTAT,WATER PUMP,FLUSH OF COOLING SYSTEM AND OIL & FILTER." THE SERVICE INVOICE STATES "NO OIL CHANGE PER CUSTOMER REQUEST" . I WAS NEVER ASKED IF I WANTED AN OIL CHANGE ON 11/28; THE FACT IS I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AT SATURN 11/18!!!! PRIOR TO MY TRIP.(I ALSO ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OVER WELL DUE TO THE UPCOMING TRIP-WHY WASN'T THIS PROBLEM FOUND THEN?-THEIR RESPONSE-WE WEREN'T LOOKING FOR THAT. TEN DAYS LATER IT JUST APEARS!!!??? I ASKED THEM TO CHANGE THIS INVOICE TO NOTE THIS ERROR, THIS WAS NOT DONE. I'VE SINCE TAKEN MY CAR TO 3 THREE PRIVATE GARAGES, ALL SAID THIS SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. 2 SAID TO GET RID OF THE CAR. A 3RD SAID HE'D FIX IT FOR CONSIDERABLY LESS, BUT SAID SATURN SHOULD BE THE ONE TAKING CARE OF THIS.THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN IN A ROW, I DOUBT I WOULD EVER BUY ANOTHER.*AK

Other Saturn SC model years

Check your 1999 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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