MYRModel Year Report

1997 Saturn SC

○ Not enough data
1997 Saturn SC
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:51:00.088Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
33
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

36% of complaints

Complaints per year

1991: 5 complaints 1991 1992: 16 complaints 1993: 23 complaints 1993 1994: 51 complaints 1995: 39 complaints 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 33 complaints 1997 33 1998: 13 complaints 1999: 24 complaints 1999 2000: 7 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 38 complaints
1991: 5 complaints 1991 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 23 complaints 1993 1994: 51 complaints 1994 1995: 39 complaints 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1996 1997: 33 complaints 1997 33 1998: 13 complaints 1998 1999: 24 complaints 1999 2000: 7 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 38 complaints 2002
1991: 5 complaints 1991 1992: 16 complaints 1992 1993: 23 complaints 1993 1994: 51 complaints 1994 1995: 39 complaints 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1996 1997: 33 complaints 1997 33 1998: 13 complaints 1998 1999: 24 complaints 1999 2000: 7 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 38 complaints 2002

1997: 33 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19915
199216
199323
199451
199539
199626
199733
199813
199924
20007
200121
200238

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

36% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing horn and alternator/generator/regulator.

Show complaint excerpts

I was driving the above mentioned vehicle (Saturn SC1 1997) north bound on fl turnpike when the road felt really bumpy and suddenly pieces of debris started flying by the window and a large bundle of wires was flapping on the hood, coming from the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-05

Also filed under Engine

Seat belts

18% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and anchorage.

DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer recently recieved recall letter 99V-280 from Saturn concerning seat belt failure, consumers child was a passenger and was killed in a vehicle collision and the consumer feels there is a possibility that the recalled component experienced...

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-11-07

Right front passenger seat belt male mechanism is locked up and will not extend to lock in female mechanism. Unusable.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-03-15

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

Show complaint excerpts

I got my 97 Saturn SC1 a year ago with 56K miles on it. The couple that had it before me took very good care of it considering the obvious lack of quality from the factory. I've put just over 21K miles on it in the last year.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-03

Tires

9% · 3 reports

Power train

9% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and seal.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1996-08-21Seats96V153000 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."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger seat inboard fore/aft adjuster.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1997-09-22Exterior lighting97V162000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1997-09-22Seat belts97V161000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger safety belt retractor.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Saturn SC — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 6 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 6 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V153000 · Seats
  • Recall 97V162000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 97V161000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1997 Saturn SC reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn SC?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Saturn SC have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.