Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 82 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seats. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
82 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
SeatsCrash
1994 SATURN SC-2 WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT APPROX 40 MPH WHILE SATURN WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINERS FAILED TO SECURE OCCUPANTS. SEATS RECLINED TO THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION UPON IMPACT. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF CLEARWATER THAT THE RECLINING MECHANISMS FAILED. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR …
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1994 SATURN SC-2 WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT APPROX 40 MPH WHILE SATURN WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT RECLINERS FAILED TO SECURE OCCUPANTS. SEATS RECLINED TO THE FULLY RECLINED POSITION UPON IMPACT. I WAS TOLD BY SATURN OF CLEARWATER THAT THE RECLINING MECHANISMS FAILED. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR STATING MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE FAILED SEAT RECLINER RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #732405
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2000
Seats
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #732384
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE IT BEGAN TO STALL WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO MOVE VEHICLE BACKWARDS. AFTER VEHICLE STALLED, IT WOULD JUMP FORWARD ON ITS ON IMPACT, AND THEN REVERSE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, AND HELD FOR A WEEK. BUT PROBLEM HAS STARTED TO OCCUR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #868153
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSIONS DOES NOT GO INT0 REVERSE WHEN ENGAGED. CAR STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN GIVES A HARD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN FINALLY ENGAGED
NHTSA ODI #728385
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2000
Air Bags
I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS "ON" AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS? MY VEHICHLE HAS FAILED INSPECTION SOLELY DUE TO THE INDICATOR LIGHT. WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU GIVE ME ON A RESONABLE COST FOR REPAIR? …
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I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED REGARDING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINS "ON" AT ALL TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS? MY VEHICHLE HAS FAILED INSPECTION SOLELY DUE TO THE INDICATOR LIGHT. WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU GIVE ME ON A RESONABLE COST FOR REPAIR? COULD THIS BE A DEFECT? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? I HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO INSTALL AN ON/OFF SWITCH, HOWEVER I WOULD RATHER HAVE THE PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU COULD GIVE ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!!! LISA WILLAN. *AK
THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT DOES NOT OPEN AND THE HIGH BEAM DOES NOT WORK. YH
NHTSA ODI #552188
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2000
Seats
RECLINER MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO LAY DOWN FLAT. SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SEAT. RECALL ISSUED FOR DIFFERENT MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861066
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Seats
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT MOVED BACK UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860964
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2000
Seats
ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY SATURN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN TO FALL REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY SLIP WHAT FELT LIKE A FEW "NOTCHES" AND I WOULD RIGHT IT AND GO ON. HOWEVER, SOON IT BEGAN TO GET WORSE AND FINALLY IT WOULD HARDLY STAY UPRIGHT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HUMBLE, TEXAS…
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ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING MY SATURN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BEGAN TO FALL REARWARD WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY SLIP WHAT FELT LIKE A FEW "NOTCHES" AND I WOULD RIGHT IT AND GO ON. HOWEVER, SOON IT BEGAN TO GET WORSE AND FINALLY IT WOULD HARDLY STAY UPRIGHT AT ALL. I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN HUMBLE, TEXAS. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAD HAD A RECALL ON THESE SEATS. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER TELLING ME THIS, THEY RETURNED AND TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE MODEL OF MY CAR THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGING ME ALMOST $200.00. IN ORDER TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP I HAD TO PLACE A LAWN CHAIR FROM MY TRUNK IN THE BACKSEAT OF MY CAR (WEDGING IT IN AND PROPING OTHER ITEMS UNDER IT) TO KEEP MY SEAT FROM FALLING BACK UNTIL I COULD GET HOME. WHEN I GOT HOME MY HUSBAND USED A BIG BOLT AND RIGGED THE SEAT WHERE IT NOW STAYS UPRIGHT. HOWEVER, NOW THE SEAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED AND, IN ORDER FOR US BOTH TO SIT IN IT, IT HAS TO STAY LEANED BACK TO AN UNCOMFORTALBE ANGLE FOR ME. AT FIRST I JUST LET THIS GO AS I DID NOT THINK THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT I COULD DO. HOWEVER, A FRIEND SUGGESTED THAT I WRITE TO YOU REGARDING THIS SITUATION. ANY ASSISTANCE THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD BE DEEPLY APPRECIATED (PARTICULARLY BY MY ACHING BACK). *AK
NHTSA ODI #721435
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Visibility
THE TWO METAL ARMSTHAT SUPPORT THE SUNROOF ARE RUSTED ON THE INSIDE. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER GEAR TEETH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY THROUGH REPEATED USE, AND COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO SLIP PARTIALLY REARWARD WHEN FORCE IS APPLIED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, IT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISMS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
RQ00005 · Front Seat Back Can Recline Or Collapse
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Aug 19, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
No summary supplied.
EA98017 · Seat Back Failures
Opened Jul 31, 1998 · Closed Mar 16, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
IN ITS LETTER DATED MARCH 5, 1999, GENERAL MOTORS STATED THAT IT WILL RECALL 136,300 MODEL YEAR 1994 AND 1995 SATURN VEHICLE (ALL MODELS) BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1994 AND AUGUST 1994.DURING THIS PERIOD, SATURN'S SEAT SUPPLIER MANUFACTURED RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WHICH WERE OUT OF DESIGN SPECIFICATION, ALLOWING THE FRONT SEAT BACKS TO RECLINE OR COLLAPSE INADVERTENTLY.TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, SATURN DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK RECLINER ASSEMBLIES.SEE NHTSA'S SAFETY RECALL FILL 99V-045 FOR DETAILS.
EA95003 · Cruise Control Failures
Opened Feb 24, 1995 · Closed May 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM. THESE PROBLEMS WERE INVESTIGATED AND STEPS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REMEDY THEIR OCCURRENCES.SERVICE PROCEDURES WERE ISSUED FOR VEHICLES IN USE, AND A DESIGN MODIFICATION MADE FOR NEW VEHICLES.NO CONFIRMED ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE UPON COMMAND WERE IDENTIFIED.IMPROVED QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES AND DESIGN MODIFICATIONSIN THE SYSTEM WERE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE A MORE CONSISTENT LEVEL OF SYSTEM PERFORMANCE.THE DETAILS OF THESE FINDINGS AND THE RESULTING CONCLUSIONS ARE CONTAINED INTHE SUBJECT ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AT EHIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE94079 · Cruise Control Failure
Opened Nov 7, 1994 · Closed Feb 24, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
1994 Saturn SC1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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