The 1997 Saturn Sc1 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 67,577 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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 COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence
A VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS TO ONCOMING VEHICLES.
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 THE STICKER IN THE OWNER'S HANDBOOK FOR THEM.
SEAT BELTS97V1610001997-09-2226,135 affected
Defect
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 PROPERLY.
Consequence
IN A RAPID DECELERATION OR VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR.
SEATS96V1530001996-08-233,472 affected
Defect
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."
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SEAT MOVEMENT WITH A BELTED OCCUPANT DURING A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL IMPACT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT INBOARD FORE/AFT ADJUSTER.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
2crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
4
1crashes
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
3
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
2
Total complaints98
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The front passenger seat belt retractor would not retract properly when the front seat was occupied. The seat belt is unable to be used. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that a recall repair had been performed in 1997. The contact stated…”
“Drivers seat slides backwards without using the "adjustment lever". Sometimes just backing up at 3-5 mph, also at hwy speeds. Also slides backwards after being adjusted by the driver-always adjusted while parked, never moving. Also, seatbelts worked fine until recall notice (99-2000/"repaired" by…”
“Drivers seat slides backwards without using the "adjustment lever". Sometimes just backing up at 3-5 mph, also at hwy speeds. Also slides backwards after being adjusted by the driver-always adjusted while parked, never moving. Also, seatbelts worked fine until recall notice (99-2000/"repaired" by…”
“Drivers seat slides backwards without using the "adjustment lever". Sometimes just backing up at 3-5 mph, also at hwy speeds. Also slides backwards after being adjusted by the driver-always adjusted while parked, never moving. Also, seatbelts worked fine until recall notice (99-2000/"repaired" by…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The vehicle has sears guarsdman tires. On two separate occasions, the front passenger and rear driver's side tires had a complete blow out. A third tire has a bulge that can be pushed. The failure mileage and tire size were unknown. The current mileage was…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 saturn sc2. The contact experienced difficulty removing the key from the ignition. He made several attempts before the key released; however, the ignition switch was in the accessory position. The driver maneuvered the key in different positions for approximately five to…”
“I was involved in a rear end collision at a traffic light. My vehicle is a 1998 saturn vin[xxx]. I was at a complete stop when a large utility van struck my vehicle. The impact speed would be around 30mph. Upon impact, the driver seat failed - shifting me back to the rear seat and then I was…”
“I was involved in a rear end collision at a traffic light. My vehicle is a 1998 saturn vin[xxx]. I was at a complete stop when a large utility van struck my vehicle. The impact speed would be around 30mph. Upon impact, the driver seat failed - shifting me back to the rear seat and then I was…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Saturn Sc1 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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