VehicleVerdict

2000 Saturn SC1 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2000 Saturn SC1 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other SC1 years?

SC1 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted102 complaints1991: 8 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 85 complaints1994: 102 complaints1995: 73 complaints1996: 43 complaints1997: 98 complaints1998: 58 complaints1999: 30 complaints2000: 10 complaints2001: 29 complaints
SC1 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SC1 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Saturn SC1 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags220%
Electrical System220%
Latches & Locks220%
Steering220%
Seat Belts110%
Suspension110%

Does the 2000 Saturn SC1 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V309000Fuel SystemOctober 12, 2000 · 6,092 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.

00V310000TransmissionOctober 12, 2000 · 65,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy

SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO PUSH ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WITH THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT I FELT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 31, 2005 · crash

“NONE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONNAIRE APPLIED TO MY COMPLAINT ON THE SC2. MY MAIN SAFETY CHILD ISSUE WITH THE 3RD DOOR IS THAT IT IS A TRAP WHEN SOMEONE ELSE PARKS NEXT TO YOU AND YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR! I SPECIFICALLY TOOK MY CHILD TO PURCHASE THE SL2 AND HAD IT DEMOED IN AN OPEN AREA VS A CONFINED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks

“IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE FROZE UP! UNABLE TO STEER, SHIFT GEARS OR RESTART ENGINE! UNABLE TO TOW CAR TO SATURN DEALER BECAUSE OF LOCATION. TRIED ALL RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTHING WORKS! LOCKSMITH INFORMS ME THIS IS SPECIFIC TO SATURN! ONLY POSSIBILITY THAT MIGHT WORK IS TO DRILL OUT TUMBLER IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 28, 2005

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MADE A LEFT TURN. SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND SUDDENLY THE WHEELS JERKED TO THE LEFT, SENDING HER INTO A PARKED CAR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS SUBSEQUENTLY UNRESPONSIVE TO STEERING. UPON EVALUATION BY A MECHANIC, THE FRONT LEFT SPINDLE HAD SNAPPED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 1, 2008 · crash

“THERE IS A METALLIC SOUND; A MECHANIC SAID THAT THE DRIVER- SIDE FRONT STRUT MAY BE FAULTY; THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY ACCIDENT;;MECHANIC SAID THAT THE BRAKE PADS ARE OK; THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN BRAKING AND WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS GREATER THAN 55MPH; ANOTHER MECHANIC WILL CHECK THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension

2000 Saturn SC1 — common questions

Is the 2000 Saturn SC1 reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 SC1 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (2 complaints), latches & locks (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2000 Saturn SC1 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Saturn SC1. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Saturn SC1 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SC1 years to avoid are 1994, 1997, 1993, 1995. The cleanest record among SC1 years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.