MYRModel Year Report

1997 Saturn SC1

● Typical for this model
1997 Saturn SC1
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:33:15.876Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Saturn SC1 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1991: 6 complaints 1991 1992: 15 complaints 1993: 58 complaints 1993 1994: 82 complaints 1995: 59 complaints 1995 1996: 39 complaints 1997: 61 complaints 1997 1998: 39 complaints 1999: 21 complaints 1999 2000: 8 complaints 2001: 25 complaints 2001
1997: 61 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19916
199215
199358
199482
199559
199639
199761
199839
199921
20008
200125

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 7 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE WAS BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980910

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960821 — seats

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.

Campaign 96V153000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970922 — exterior lighting

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

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

Campaign 97V162000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970922 — seat belts

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 PRO

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

Campaign 97V161000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Saturn SC1 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V153000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V162000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V161000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1996 ● 1993

WORST YEARS

◆ 1994 ● 1995 ● 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Saturn SC1 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Saturn SC1 is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn SC1?

The most-reported component is seat belts:front:retractor, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Saturn SC1 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.