Saturn Sc1 2002

Model Sc1 made in 2002 by Saturn got 21 consumer complains. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and engine and engine cooling.

Model 2002

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
AIR BAGS
11/13/200748000103/01/2007
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn sc1. the vehicle was a salvaged vehicle from a certified dealer. while driving 30 mph, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a wall. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact believes it is a serious safety issue to have non-functioning air bags. the vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 48,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
05/11/200880000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2002 saturn sc1. the contact stated that when putting her key into her ignition, the steering column would suddenly lock. she tried to rock the steering back and forth and it would not unlock. the dealer was contacted and they advised her that the cylinder and the housing needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that there were no recalls for that failure. the failure mileage was approximately 80,000. tb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
05/01/20081050001
 After reading several cases of which saturn ignition locking up. so i thought i would give it a shot to file a complaint to see if many a recall will be issued. i really never had any problems with my saturn until a few months ago when i tried to start my car and the key would not turn over. i just thought it was something i was doing wrong after this happening everyday i knew something was wrong. right now i am looking into getting this fixed before i have major problems like i have read with other customers of saturn. steering wheel locking up while driving or the car not being able to be turned off. mine car is not to that point but i know if i let it go it will get to this point. the tumblers are bad in my saturn im not sure how much it will be to fix but there should def be a recall on this matter. esp if your steering wheel locks up when driving this is not save for anyone! i drive a 2002 saturn sc1. *tr
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
09/18/2008800001
 2002 saturn sc1 lost engine--oil in coolant at 80,000 miles. the mechanic that disassembled the engine stated that the camshaft journals were worn so bad that the engine could not be re-built. replaced engine 5 months ago, last week, auto transmission stopped engaging reverse gear. discussed with local saturn dealer who offered no help. this is my daughter's car. my car--2002 saturn sc2 had to have an engine overhaul at 46,000 miles due to burned valves in #2 cylinder. extended warranty covered repairs. oil consumption prior to overhaul was excessive (qt every 1000 miles--dealer said normal) my automatic transmission has an intermittent extremely rough downshift, which was reported to saturn dealers 4 times while in warranty. each time, they said they could not duplicate the problem. our family bought the car new, and recommended maintenance has been performed. at this time, i feel that saturn has some well documented problems with both the single cam and twin cam engines, as well as the automatic transmissions. *tr
02/17/200737200102/26/2003
 On 2/1/07 my car started running rough, with no ses light coming on. after a couple of weeks the ses light came on and i took the car to the dealer for repairs. a defective intake manifold gasket had caused the rough idle, and the dealer said that if i left go to long enough it could have caused the engine to seize up. my car has only 37,315 miles on it and is garaged when not in use. a new intake manifold gasket was replaced for a cost of $463.44. i do not hot rod this car or abuse it in any fashion, i am 52 years old. if i had ignored the ses light i could have had an accident if the engine would have failed in traffic. *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04/01/200660000100004/01/2004
 Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saturn sc1. while driving at any speed, the contact smelled coolant in the cab of the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the tailpipe. the dealer has not inspected the vehicle. the failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 90,000. updated 02-01-08 *bf updated 02/01/08 *tr
08/01/200675000110/31/2002
 At around 75000 miles i pulled into work, put it in park, and all of a sudden my engine started to rev, (increasing without leveling. i immediately turned off the car to stop the increased revving. i tried to turn the car on again , hoping it was a fluke. and it started again. i got it towed to the dealership, and they told me it had a vaccuum leak and had to have the intake gasket replaced. and that it was going to be extensive work to replace it. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
02/17/200737200102/26/2003
 On 2/1/07 my car started running rough, with no ses light coming on. after a couple of weeks the ses light came on and i took the car to the dealer for repairs. a defective intake manifold gasket had caused the rough idle, and the dealer said that if i left go to long enough it could have caused the engine to seize up. my car has only 37,315 miles on it and is garaged when not in use. a new intake manifold gasket was replaced for a cost of $463.44. i do not hot rod this car or abuse it in any fashion, i am 52 years old. if i had ignored the ses light i could have had an accident if the engine would have failed in traffic. *jb
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
12/01/2005500001
 Left head light has a leak or water keeps getting in and burning out the headlight bulbs. *tr
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
05/26/20071
 The 2002 saturn sc1 needed an intake manifold at 60, 000 miles because it was placed on wrong side at the factory. the mechanic at the dealership said they got alot of these complaints, should this warrant a recall.*ak
OTHER
06/04/20051
 Assistance requested regarding 2002 saturn sc-1.*mr the consumer stated he was lied to about the vehicle not being in an accident previously. *jb
12/15/20021
 Dress panel, on drivers side connected to center console falls off when driving. when it comes off it then gets jammed under the throttle. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
09/18/2008800001
 2002 saturn sc1 lost engine--oil in coolant at 80,000 miles. the mechanic that disassembled the engine stated that the camshaft journals were worn so bad that the engine could not be re-built. replaced engine 5 months ago, last week, auto transmission stopped engaging reverse gear. discussed with local saturn dealer who offered no help. this is my daughter's car. my car--2002 saturn sc2 had to have an engine overhaul at 46,000 miles due to burned valves in #2 cylinder. extended warranty covered repairs. oil consumption prior to overhaul was excessive (qt every 1000 miles--dealer said normal) my automatic transmission has an intermittent extremely rough downshift, which was reported to saturn dealers 4 times while in warranty. each time, they said they could not duplicate the problem. our family bought the car new, and recommended maintenance has been performed. at this time, i feel that saturn has some well documented problems with both the single cam and twin cam engines, as well as the automatic transmissions. *tr
SEAT BELTS - FRONT - RETRACTOR
08/09/200632000101/28/2003
 Seat belt has become torn and frayed, caused by seat belt retraction device. this problem occurs on the 2001-2002 saturn sc1. *nm
SEATS
02/11/200588000109/30/2002
 On february 11, 2005 i was involved in a motor vehicle accident. i was at a complete stop and rear ended by a person most likely going about 45 miles per hour. i own a saturn sc1 2000. my seat went forward and then completely collapsed into the back seat. this is very significant for the following reasons. my 8 year old grandson typically rides in that very spot and if he were with me he certainly would have substained heavy injuries due to my weight and the speed in which the seat slammed backwards. i also feel that my injuries where more severe as the seat did not keep me in a secure position. my greatest fear is that this may occur with vehicles of this same model and others will be greatly wounded. i sincerely appreciate any inquiries you may make on my behalf for the common good and safety of others. sincerely, pamela d. lomastro. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR
10/09/200313695109/02/2001
 On august 16, 2003 i carried the car to a midas location to have my brakes and alignment checked. upon leaving they gave me an estimate saying i needed my rotors resurfaced, rear brakes serviced, and my front brakes serviced. which came to a total of $148.21. so, therefore i called saturn, and had an appointment to have them check my brakes. on august 18, 2003 i took my car to the saturn dealership of columbus, and they resurfaced my rotors and stated that was all that was wrong. around october the brakes started squeaking again, and i called saturn again along with a complaint that they didn't fixed my sunroof completely. on october 8, 2003, the vehicle was involved in a crash. going around 30 mph. a car cut in front of my car and when the driver went to brake it wasn't in working condition, and struck the vehicle that was orignally in front. the driver sustained injuries to both wrists, head, chest, neck, and knee. *la
STEERING
05/11/200880000
 Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saturn sc1. the contact stated that when inserting the key into the ignition, the steering column would suddenly lock. she tried to rock the steering wheel back and forth but it would not unlock. the dealer was contacted and they advised her that the cylinder and the housing would need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they advised her that there were no recalls for the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
STRUCTURE
12/01/2005500001
 Left head light has a leak or water keeps getting in and burning out the headlight bulbs. *tr
SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR
09/01/2001
 Vehicle vibrates when traveling at 50 mph or higher.*ak

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
FLKISSIMMEESATURN OF ORLANDO/OSCEOLA
FLMIAMI33138TROPICAL CHEVROLET305-754-7551
FLNAPLESSATURN OF NAPLES
GACOLUMBIUS31909SATURN OF COLUMBUS
ILELMHURST60126SATURN OF ELMHURST630 279 0777
LASHREVEPORT71105SATURN OF SHREVEPORT318-798-1800
TXHURSTSATURN OF HURST