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: 12 of 25 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.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
25 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2001
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. SHE THEN APPLIED BRAKES; BUT, IT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. APPLIED TRANSMISSION, AND TACHOMETER WENT TO 3000 RPMS. SHE THEN RELEASED TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE KEPT SPEED OF 35 MPH. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SLOWED AND ENGINE RAC…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CONSUMER TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE KEPT GOING. SHE THEN APPLIED BRAKES; BUT, IT DID NOT SLOW VEHICLE. APPLIED TRANSMISSION, AND TACHOMETER WENT TO 3000 RPMS. SHE THEN RELEASED TRANSMISSION, AND VEHICLE KEPT SPEED OF 35 MPH. SHE APPLIED BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE SLOWED AND ENGINE RACED. BUT, STOPPED AT LIGHT. SHE LET GO OF TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES, AND BY THAT TIME SHE HAD SHIFTED UP TO 3RD GEAR WITHOUT APPLYING ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE REACHED 35 MPH. AFTER 1/2 TO 3/4 MILE ENGINE STOPPED RACING, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. MILES AT INCIDENT 19800. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #893957
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2001
Suspension
VEHICLE IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED. THIS IS SECOND VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. CONTACT DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #892780
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline
IT IS A CONCERN TO ME THAT MY GAS BANGS AROUND IN TANK AND I HEAR IT. IT IS SO LOUD OF A HI T AT TIMES THAT I THINK I HAVE HIT SOMETHING. IT IS MOST NOTICABLE BETWEEN 3/4 AND 1/2 FULL. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CAR THAT YOU HEAR THE GAS IN IT LIKE THIS. SATURN TOLD ME THIS IS HOW IT IS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #741984
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2000
SeatsCrashInjury
CAR WAS STOPPED AND THEN WAS REAR ENDED BY LARGE FORD SUV. UPON INPACT DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED INTO BACK SEAT. IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A BOOK BAG ON REAR SEAT KEEPING IT FROM GOING FLAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN SHE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS THEN ABLE TO SWERVE BACK INTO HER LANE. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOS…
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CAR WAS STOPPED AND THEN WAS REAR ENDED BY LARGE FORD SUV. UPON INPACT DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED INTO BACK SEAT. IF THERE HAD NOT BEEN A BOOK BAG ON REAR SEAT KEEPING IT FROM GOING FLAT SHE WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN SHE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS THEN ABLE TO SWERVE BACK INTO HER LANE. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. ALSO WHILE LAYING FLAT, IF HIT AGAIN SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT UNDER THE SEAT BELT (AND AIR BAG) POSSIBLY BECOMING SERIOUSLY OR FATALY INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #734983
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2000
Tires
DRIVING AT 55MPH ON GOOD ROAD WARM DAY 35 MILES INTO TRIP WHEN TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON (BIG HOLE AND TEAR--MAY HAVE TORN BECAUSE I DROVE ON IT A LITTLE TO GET TO A SHOULDER).*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2V9VFB040 TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)
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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.
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.
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.
2001 Saturn SC1 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year