Model year record

1997 Saturn SC

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 44 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V162000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
37,970
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-22
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECTION OF THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK TITLED "HORIZONTAL AIM" DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY INSTRUCT AN OWNER HOW TO ADJUST THE HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION ON HEADLAMP HORIZONTAL AIM TO BE PLACED OVER THE EXISTING TEXT IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN PLACE THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK FOR THEM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V161000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
26,135
Reported to NHTSA
1997-09-22
Owners notified
1997-09-22

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT IS PULLED OUT MUCH FASTER THAN NORMAL, A NUMBER OF TIME, THE LOCK-UP FEATURE OF THE RETRACTOR WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V153000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,472
Reported to NHTSA
1996-08-23
Owners notified
1996-08-21

Defect description

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS HAVE LESS LOCK PAWL ENGAGEMENT ON THE INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER THAN SPECIFIED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEAT MOVEMENT WITH A BELTED OCCUPANT DURING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system5171,411 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine31 mi
Seat belts3
Tires3171,411 mi
Air bags: frontal2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator216,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2
Power train: automatic transmission290,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery116,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1100,105 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module116,000 mi
Engine1173,411 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor180,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1150,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: retractor180,000 mi
Seats1
Service brakes1115,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: door1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.