Model year record

1997 Saturn SC1

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 98 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
Seat belts: front: retractor895,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine737,100 mi
Power train: automatic transmission546,000 mi
Air bags: frontal4
Power train: manual transmission475,000 mi
Visibility: windshield4
Electrical system337,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner237,100 mi
Seat belts: front233,750 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Structure: body: trunk lid237,100 mi
Unknown or other2
Vehicle speed control2
Air bags1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module133,750 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1172,000 mi
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats: front assembly: recliner133,750 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Structure: body: door1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 1996 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 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.