NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Saturn SC Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Saturn SC has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 21 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 2001 Saturn SC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2001 Saturn SC owner complaints

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saturn SC, describing incidents dated February 22, 2001 to April 16, 2022.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 5 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Air Bags 4 complaints
Steering 3 complaints
Equipment 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints

Of the 21 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 21 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11483581 · Filed September 8, 2022
Vehicle leaks fuel when filled with gasoline at pump. If operator fills vehicle till the pump stops vehicle will leak fuel after roughly 15 seconds of pump stopping. The vehicle will only drip a small puddle of fuel. Vehicle could leak more if vehicle is at an incline or rolled. This has occurred at…
ODI #10969433 · Filed March 29, 2017
AIR BAGS, NAME UNKNOWN, OPENED AFTER HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT, APPROX. LESS THAN10MPH. NO DENTS, NO DAMAGE, I WAS BRUISED BUT I'M OK, IS MY AIR BAGS A RECALL, SHOULD AIR BAGS POP OUT AFTER BUMPING A CURB, THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T HAVE MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME, OR ANY BODY!! CAN YOU LET ME KNOW…
ODI #10658524 · Filed November 17, 2014
2001 SATURN SC WITH FAULTY IGNITION. KEY BINDS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT ALSO FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN DRIVING. KEY HAS BEEN GRINDING DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CYLINDER. THIS IS A HAZARD AND DANGER TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO…

Read all 21 complaints

GM/FMVSS 114/PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY

NHTSA #00V310000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 65,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00082 · Owners notified October 6, 2000 · Vehicles built March 1, 2000 – July 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Manufacturer remedy

SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 6, 2000.OWNERS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECALL SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

GM/FMVSS 301/VENT VALVE WELD

NHTSA #00V309000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 6,092 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00081 · Owners notified October 6, 2000 · Vehicles built March 1, 2000 – July 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 6, 2000.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. 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 2001 Saturn SC. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

21 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Saturn SC.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11483581

Incident: April 16, 2022 · Filed: September 8, 2022

Vehicle leaks fuel when filled with gasoline at pump. If operator fills vehicle till the pump stops vehicle will leak fuel after roughly 15 seconds of pump stopping. The vehicle will only drip a small puddle of fuel. Vehicle could leak more if vehicle is at an incline or rolled. This has occurred at multiple pump at stations of differing brands. Over the span of weeks.

Air Bags

ODI #10969433

Incident: January 9, 2017 · Filed: March 29, 2017

AIR BAGS, NAME UNKNOWN, OPENED AFTER HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT, APPROX. LESS THAN10MPH. NO DENTS, NO DAMAGE, I WAS BRUISED BUT I'M OK, IS MY AIR BAGS A RECALL, SHOULD AIR BAGS POP OUT AFTER BUMPING A CURB, THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T HAVE MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME, OR ANY BODY!! CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN, THANK YOU. UPDATED 08/28/2017*JS

Steering; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10658524

Incident: January 1, 2014 · Filed: November 17, 2014

2001 SATURN SC WITH FAULTY IGNITION. KEY BINDS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT ALSO FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN DRIVING. KEY HAS BEEN GRINDING DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CYLINDER. THIS IS A HAZARD AND DANGER TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY RECALLED. I WANTED A CASE OPENED AND TOLD THEM IF ANYTHING HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE DESIGN I WILL SEEK RESTITUTION. THE SR. ADVISOR WAS NOT HELPFUL AND TRIED TO DISMISS ME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. GM IS NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES OR THEIR CUSTOMERS. POOR DESIGN, POOR QUALITY, POOR SUPPORT = BODILY HARM, MORE LAWSUITS AND NO MORE CUSTOMERS! *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10619560

Incident: August 6, 2014 · Filed: August 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION PROPERLY. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAMPER WITH THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10619445

Fire

Incident: July 24, 2014 · Filed: August 6, 2014

WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING TESTED IN THE SHOP, A FUSE WAS REPLACED. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP CHECKED WITH A GENERAL MOTORS WHO VERIFIED THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR SATURNS TO CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10301763

Incident: May 13, 2004 · Filed: January 21, 2010

2001 SATURN SC1 HAS MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMPS. CURRENTLY DOES NOT POSE A PROBLEM BUT MAY LIMIT THE OUTPUT OF LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SATURN MECHANICS THAT IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, YET DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. *TR

Structure; Equipment

ODI #10291916

Incident: October 17, 2009 · Filed: November 12, 2009

KEY SWITCH NO LONGER WORKS ON MY 2001 SATURN SC2. DEALER WANTS $400 TO FIX BECAUSE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. . MY KEY STILL WORKS ON THE DOORS AND TRUNK. I HAVE A '53 CHEVROLET WITH THE ORIGINAL KEY AND IT STILL WORKS. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL SATURNS. *TR

Steering; Unknown or Other

ODI #10227607

Crash

Incident: April 30, 2008 · Filed: May 13, 2008

MY DAUGHTER KATIE WAS DRIVING HER CAR AROUND A CURVED EXIT RAMP WHEN THE STEERING SEEMED TO FAIL. THE CAR VEERED WILDLY BACK AND FORTH, AND THE BRAKES WERE UNRESPONSIVE AS WELL. SHE MADE MINOR CORRECTIONS TO THE STEERING UNTIL IT FINALLY BEGAN TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THEN A FOX RAN ACROSS THE ROAD, SHE JERKED REFLEXIVELY, AND THE CAR VEERED INTO A DITCH AND ROLLED. LUCKILY SHE WAS UNINJURED EXCEPT FOR SCRAPES, HOWEVER THE CAR WAS TOTALED - WINDSHIELD SMASHED, ROOF SMASHED, PASSENGER SIDE SMASHED, AND SO ON. HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS INJURY. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10199770

Incident: July 1, 2003 · Filed: August 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC1. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE INCREASED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE BECAUSE THE CONTACT TRADED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10156502

Crash 1 injury

Incident: April 28, 2006 · Filed: May 1, 2006

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, REAR-ENDING A NON-MOVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON IMPACT (STRAIGHT-ON AND CENTER). AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURY. VEHICLE DAMAGE INCLUDED FRONT BUMPER & HOOD. *NM

Other Saturn SC model years

Check your 2001 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.

Check a Saturn VIN