Reliability & cost of ownership
Saturn SC Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Saturn SC? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Saturn SC problems by model year
15 recall entries across 7 model years and 201 owner complaints across 8 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining model year — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 SC | Not confirmed | 38 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2001 SC | 2 | 21 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 SC | 7 | 7 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1999 SC | 1 | 24 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1998 SC | 0 | 13 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1997 SC | 3 | 33 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1996 SC | 0 | 26 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 1995 SC | 2 | 39 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Saturn SC, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- electrical system38 complaints
- engine and engine cooling31 complaints
- air bags25 complaints
- seats23 complaints
- power train14 complaints
- seat belts12 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic11 complaints
- structure11 complaints