The most-reported SC run is 1G8ZE1287VZ (1997 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.3× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 24% of reports; 1997 is the worst model year at 1.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for SC model years 1995–2001.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saturn SC has 130 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every SC complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G8ZE1287VZ•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZF1284SZ•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G8ZE1282TZ•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZY12732Z•••••• | 2002 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G8ZF128XSZ•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| 1G8ZE1289SZ•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZF1286VZ•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZE128XTZ•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZF1282SZ•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZE1284VZ•••••• | 1997 | 1 | — | |
| 1G8ZF1284TZ•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G8ZF1285SZ•••••• | 1995 | — | — |
Each of the other 118 SC runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saturn SC the gap between build years is 1.4×: a 1997 car draws 1.4 complaints per run, a 2000 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 30 | 27 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 17 | 14 | 2 | |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 18 | 17 | 4 | |
| 1998 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 1997 | 26 | 19 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 20 | 15 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 32 | 24 | 7 |
Heaviest year here is 1997 at 1.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2000 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 24% of everything Saturn SC owners report: Electrical System, 33 of 158 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | 2 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Seats | 6 | — | |
| Air Bags | 12 | 1 | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 6 | — | |
| Steering | 2 | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Saturn SC; the 6 below cover build years 1999 to 2001. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 00V310000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch | 2000–2001 |
| 00V309000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 2000–2001 |
| 99V280000 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 1999–2000 |
| 99V232000 | Structure:body:bumpers | 2000 |
| 99V231000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components | 2000 |
| 99V230000 | Unknown Or Other | 2000 |
How serious were they
Of the 158 reports on the Saturn SC, 16.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Saturn SC | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 158 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 26 (16.5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 4 (2.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 184% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saturn SC share of that is 158 complaints over 130 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Saturn SC VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 158 NHTSA complaints from 130 SC runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which SC production run has the most complaints?
1G8ZE1287VZ, a 1997 build, with 4 complaints. The typical SC run has 1.2.
Which SC years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1997 is heaviest at 1.4 complaints per run and 2000 lightest at 1.
How many SC complaints involve a crash?
16.5% of 158 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.
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