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1998 Saturn SC1

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Saturn SC1 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 11 of 39 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.

  • 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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

10 reports
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97,693 miles · Jun 17, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT ST…

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DURING THE SMOG TEST, MY CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE TEMP. GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE IT WAS HOT. THE TEMP GAUGE WAS REGISTERING THAT THE CAR WAS RUNNING AT IT'S USUAL TEMPERATURE. I HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED WHEN I'M SUPPOSE TO, AND I'VE HAD THE ENGINE FLUSHED TO TRY AND KEEP IT IN GOOD MECHANICAL CONDITION. IT ALSO IS NOT STARTING AT TIMES, AND TODAY IT WAS MAKING A SLIGHT JERKING MOTION AS IF A FUEL FILTER IS CLOGGING. I'VE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, & A COUPLE OF SENSORS. PLUS, MY SEAT BELTS HAVE NEVER RETRACTED CORRECTLY AND FREQUENTLY GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274084

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkages

THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED …

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THE INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I GET THE PROPER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED, YET THE OIL IS NOW RUNNING OUT EVERYWHERE (69,000 MI.). WHY DOESN'T THE WARNING LIGHT COME ON, OR FLASH - ANYTHING TO WARN ME WHEN THE OIL DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK? I CHECKED THE OIL, 1 MINUTE LATER I DROVE 35 MILES AT A TOP SPEED OF 67. THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE WASN'T EVEN AT THE 1/2 WAY POINT, BUT WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS HOT, & THE OIL DID NOT REGISTER ON THE DIP STICK. THE ONLY INDICATOR LIGHT THAT WORKS PROPERLY IS THE LOW FUEL. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS RATTLED, & THE GLOVE BOX HANDLE JUST BROKE OFF. THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT MOST OF THE TIME, CAUSING THE STRAP & BUCKLE TO GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD SLIDE BACK WHEN ACCELERATING & FORWARD WHEN BRAKING (SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING INTO PLACE EITHER). NOW IT IS STUCK IN ONE POSITION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER ON 1 OCCASSION FOR THAT, AT LEAST 2 TIMES FOR THE INTERIOR LIGHT, 2 TIMES FOR SENSORS, & MORE. TO END THIS, I AM DISTRAUGHT AT THE MOMENT, IT APPEARS AS IF MY CAR HAS BATHED IN OIL FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ENGINE, ALL THE WAY DOWN & ALL OVER THE UNDERNEATH OF THE CAR. THE PLUG GASKET WAS MANGLED, CHANGED, & STILL DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION. MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO A JOB INTERVIEW THIS WEEK!

NHTSA ODI #10119802

47,741 miles · Nov 19, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

1998 SATURN SC2- CAM COVER LEAK- 12/13/02 SAME CAM COVER LEAK 10/26/04 PAID FOR IT TWICE... $98.86 AND 76.98. ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE- ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED- SUN ROOF MOTOR FAILED- WANTS $925.00 TO FIX- HORN HAD INTERNAL SHORT 10/26/04 $112.11, WEATHERSTRIPPING REPLACE ON DRIVERS DOOR 5/7/01, BELT TENSIONER REPLACE 12/13/…

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1998 SATURN SC2- CAM COVER LEAK- 12/13/02 SAME CAM COVER LEAK 10/26/04 PAID FOR IT TWICE... $98.86 AND 76.98. ELECTRICAL NIGHTMARE- ELECTRIC WINDOW FAILED- SUN ROOF MOTOR FAILED- WANTS $925.00 TO FIX- HORN HAD INTERNAL SHORT 10/26/04 $112.11, WEATHERSTRIPPING REPLACE ON DRIVERS DOOR 5/7/01, BELT TENSIONER REPLACE 12/13/02, IDLER PULLEY REPLACED 10/26/04. EXHAUST REPLACED 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100226

32,000 miles · Apr 2, 2004
Seat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION IT WILL TIGHTEN UP SO THAT THE PASSENGER CANNOT MOVE, AND PASSENGER PANICS. AT TIMES, WHEN PASSENGER ENTERS VEHICLE, BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT... SOMETIMES THE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED, AND THE BELT FIDDLED …

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PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION IT WILL TIGHTEN UP SO THAT THE PASSENGER CANNOT MOVE, AND PASSENGER PANICS. AT TIMES, WHEN PASSENGER ENTERS VEHICLE, BELT WILL NOT PULL OUT... SOMETIMES THE DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND CLOSED, AND THE BELT FIDDLED WITH BEFORE IT WILL PULL OUT IN ORDER TO BE USED. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE WITH UNRESTRAINED PASSENGERS. MY BROTHER AND I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW, AND WE HAVE HAD THIS IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. THE BELT WAS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NO PROBLEM WITH DRIVER SIDE BELT. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN TODAY AND WAS TOLD AGAIN THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I BEG TO DIFFER.. A BELT THAT REFUSES TO PULL OUT AND/OR TRIES TO STRANGLE MY PASSENGERS HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT!!!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10064423

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2003
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER SIDE NO LONGER WORKS, THIS ALLOWS THE BELT TO BECOME CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, DAMAGING THE STRAP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10013752

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATES DRIVER?S SIDE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WAS FIXED, IT IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN, PASSENGER SIDE HAS ALSO FAILED. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE SAFETY BELTS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR USE AN INFERIOR RETRACTOR MECHANISM, CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE RETRACTING SYSTEM FAILS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND WEAR THE BELTS, THE …

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CONSUMER STATES DRIVER?S SIDE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WAS FIXED, IT IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN, PASSENGER SIDE HAS ALSO FAILED. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE SAFETY BELTS IN THE FRONT SEAT OF THE CAR USE AN INFERIOR RETRACTOR MECHANISM, CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE RETRACTING SYSTEM FAILS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AND WEAR THE BELTS, THE BELT GETS SLAMMED IN THE DOOR AND CAUGHT IN THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. *YD

NHTSA ODI #565428

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Seat Belts

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, SEAT BELT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES BY ITSELF, IT DOES NOT STAY LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE BELT WOULD DISENGAGE WHEN STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #8001203

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2001
Seat BeltsSeats

FRONT SEAT SLIDES BACK WHEN ACCELERATING, AND SLIDES FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THEN SEAT BELTS TIGHTEN UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #880165

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Seat BeltsStructure

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO USE. MJS

NHTSA ODI #608119

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power TrainSeat Belts

SPEEDOMETER/TACHOMETER FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #606140

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.