1996 Saturn Sc1 problems
Social links
Common 1996 Saturn Sc1 problems
The Saturn SC1 1996 has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners of this car. One of the most frequently mentioned issues is oil consumption, with many owners reporting that their vehicles consume oil excessively, sometimes even severely.
Another common problem is related to the engine's head cracking, particularly in the single cam engine models. This issue can lead to more significant engine problems and may require costly repairs.
The Saturn SC1 1996 is also known for having issues with its idle. Some owners have reported that their cars do not idle correctly while at a stop or in neutral, which can be caused by a faulty water temp sensor. This sensor is fragile and prone to cracking, but replacing it can often solve the problem.
The motor mounts and transmission mounts in the Saturn SC1 1996 tend to wear out around 150,000 miles, and replacing them can help prevent further problems. The fuel filter is located along the driver's side front fender and can be replaced in about 30 minutes with basic tools.
At around 200,000 miles, the idle pulley bearings may also go out, requiring replacement of the pulley and belt. The valve cover gasket is another common problem area, with many owners reporting that it is the only gasket to blow on their vehicles. Replacing the valve cover gasket can solve this issue.
In addition to these problems, the Saturn SC1 1996 is also known for having issues with its transmission, including hard shifts and a valve body problem that may require the expertise of an experienced mechanic to fix.
The NHTSA has received three complaints for the engine and engine cooling system in the 1996 Saturn SC1, with an average mileage of 31,860 miles. These complaints include issues with engine performance, cooling system failures, and other related problems.
Overall, the Saturn SC1 1996 has several common problems that owners should be aware of, including oil consumption, engine head cracking, idle issues, and transmission problems. Regular maintenance, including oil changes, tune-ups, and fluid checks, can help prevent some of these issues and keep the vehicle running smoothly.
How long do Saturn cars last?
Older Saturns, especially the ones that are approaching 20 years old or older, should only be expected to last for another 3-5 years at most. Saturns that are only 10-11 years old will likely be good for 5-10 more years, but they will have slightly increased maintenance costs that whole time.
Why is my Saturn SL1 not starting?
The most common reasons a Saturn SL1 won't start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Why did Saturn cars fail?
Its initial setup costs of $5 billion were soon extended as Saturn's sub-compact prices failed to cover the huge costs of a dedicated plant with massive operating costs that produced cars that shared very few parts with other GM brands. By 2000, Saturn was losing $3,000 on every car it sold.
How expensive is it to maintain a Saturn?
The annual maintenance cost of a Saturn is $553.
1996 Saturn Sc1 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saturn Sc1 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Visibility problems
- Power train problems
- Fuel system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1996 Saturn Sc1 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1996 Saturn Sc1
The NHTSA has received 40 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1996 Saturn Sc1. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1996 Saturn Sc1 vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-08-16
- VIN: 1G8ZH1276TZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: HORN STARTED BLOWING ALL BY ITSELF, I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP , THEN AN ELECTRICAL SMELL (BURNING) . MY HUSBAND DISCONNECTED THE HORN FUSE AND BATTERY , INSPECTION OF FUSE SHOWED IT HAD BLOWN . AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES WE RECONNECTED THE BATTERY ALL OK, EXCEPT HORN DOES NOT WORK NOW. THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT WITH HORN, DEALER REPAIRED LAST TIME 2-20-2010. *TR
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-12-25
- VIN: 1G8ZG1271WZ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE FAILED ON SECOND SATURN. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AND MOTOR TO FAIL BELOW BOTTOM OF THE CAR. ALSO BROKE CV JOINT TO TRANSMISSION. VERY COMMON. *TR
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-06-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH1276TZ
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: 1996 SATURN SC2, WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF INTO THE ROADWAY AND BROKE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRACKETS RUSTED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWED SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM THE WEATHER. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0198-89)*JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/02/10*JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-04-30
- VIN: 1G8ZH1278TZ
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I OWN 1996 SATURN SC2 PURCHASED IN 2007,IT IS SPORTY AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. NOW HOWEVER I AM VERY UNHAPPY,THE STARTER WENT FIRST,THEM THE GENERATOR. THE OTHER DAY MY HUSBANDS SUBARU WAS DOWN WHILE RUNNING HIM FOR PARTS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING THE CAR STARTED MISSING BUCKING AND LOST POWER,I MANAGED TO GET IT HOME,I AM DISABLED MY HUSBAND IS LAID OFF & DOES ALL REPAIR WORK,HAS TRIED EVERYTHING AND IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. THE CAR HAS HAD A OIL LEAK SINCE I PURCHASED IT WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND WERE IT IS,AND IT JUST GETS WORSE. THIS IS MY SECOND SATURN,I DROVE MY FIRST AN SL1 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPAIR IT. BUT THIS CAR HAS MAJOR ISSUES AND I MUST HAVE A RELIABLE AUTO,WITH NO MONEY WHERE DO I GO? HELP SATURN KNOWS ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS,I EXPECT TO HAVE SOME REPAIRS WITH A CAR THIS OLD BUT THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-05-01
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON THE CAR MANUFACTURER SATURN BECAUSE LIKE MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND A LITTLE PLASTIC BUSHING THAT HOLDS THE SHIFTER AND TRANSMISSION CABLE HAS BROKEN INTO PIECES. SATURN SHOULD REPLACE THESE PLASTIC PIECES WITH MORE DURABLE AND RELIABLE ONES BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIPS WANT TO CHARGE OVER 300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A 30 CENT PIECE OF PLASTIC. *NM
PARKING BRAKE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-10-23
- VIN: 1G8ZG1278TZ
- Components: PARKING BRAKE
- Summary: EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE LOCK FAILURE ON HOT DAY CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL BACK SUDDENLY. REQUIRING CAR TO BE PLACED IN 1ST GEAR TO AVOID ROLL BACK. HAND BRAKE LEVER WILL NOT STAY IN PLACE WHEN TRIED TO REPLACE THE BUTTON THAT HAND SPRUNG FREE FROM THE LEAVER HOLE DUE TO HEAT OF CAR IN THE DAY IT WOULD NOT STAY PUT. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH127XTZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I PARKED MY 1996 SATURN SC2 ALONG A STREET AND WENT INTO WORK. WHEN I WAS HEADED OUT TO MY CAR A FEW HOURS LATER, I HEARD A CAR HORN THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. I SOON REALIZED THAT IT WAS MY CAR'S HORN THAT WAS SOUNDING. I ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO QUIET THE HORN BY PRESSING THE HORN BUTTONS. NOTHING HAPPENED. I OPENED THE HOOD ON THE CAR TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO STOP THE HORN FROM SOUNDING. ALTHOUGH THE HORN WAS VERY WEAK BY NOW, IT WAS STILL SOUNDING. I DROPPED THE HOOD CLOSED, AND THE HORN STOPPED. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THE HORN NOW WOULD NOT OPERATE. I LATER CHECKED THE FUSE FOR THE HORN AND DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BLOWN. I TRIED TO REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT EACH TIME I PUT A REPLACEMENT FUSE IN THE SLOT FOR THE HORN, IT IMMEDIATELY WAS BLOWN. I RESEARCHED THE SITUATION ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THE REFERENCE TO THE RECALL FOR THE HORN ASSEMBLY ON THE 1996 AND 1997 SATURNS. TO ME, THE CIRCUMSTANCES STATED ON THE RECALL ARE IDENTICAL, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT I RETURNED TO MY CAR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WERE WORKING ON A HOUSE NEARBY MY CAR SAID THE HORN HAD BEEN SOUNDING FOR SOME TIME, EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT USED IT THAT MORNING. CURRENTLY, MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION FOR PENNSYLVANIA BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY HORN ASSEMBLY. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-07-07
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SATURN GENERALLY AND SATURN (GALLES) OF ALBUQUERQUE, NM SPECIFICALLY. 3 SEPARATE TIMES THEY HAVE WRECKED MY ENGINE! THIS HAS BEEN DUE TO OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VALVE GASKET COVER IS WARPED. THIS HAS YET TO HAVE BEEN CORRECTED PROPERLY BY SATURN. I HAVE NOW TAKEN IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO IS ABLE TO FIX IT CORRECTLY. IT HAS NOT CAUSED A SAFETY ISUUE...YET.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-11
- VIN: 1G8ZH1272TZ
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AFTER ABOUT 70,000 MI I NOTICED TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AFTER IT HEATED UP (ABOUT 50+ MI ON FWY). A TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT SATURNS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE "VALVE BODY". I HAD IT REPLACED AND IT COST ABOUT $350. ABOUT 20,000 MI LATER I STARTED HAVING THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. IT WASN'T THAT BAD AT FIRST SO I DID NOT HAVE IT LOOKED AT UNTIL RECENTLY (MI AT 150,000) I TOOK IT TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP IN PALMDALE, CA. IN TALKING WITH THE SERVICE REP I WAS TOLD THAT SATURN HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD REPAIR TECHNICIANS TO REPLACE THE UPPER PORTION OF THE VALVE BODY AND THEN THEY FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM SO NOW THEY ARE RECOMMENDING TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE VALVE BODY, WHICH I HAD DONE AT A COST OF ABOUT $1,100. SATURN KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, I KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IF I WAS MAKING A THREE POINT TURN AND COULD NOT GET IT INTO REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC (I CAN THINK OF SEVERAL OTHER SAFETY RELATED EXAMPLES). MY QUESTION IS THIS, WHY HAS THIS PROBLEM NOT HAD A SAFETY RELATED RECALL? IS THERE SOME WAY I COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE APPROXIMATELY $1500 I HAVE HAD TO SPEND ON REPAIRS? THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G8ZH528XTZ
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CONCERNS OF POSSIBLE CRACKING IN CYLINDER HEAD. *MR SATURN REPAIRED THE PART BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR COST DUE TO THE VEHICLE EXCEEDING THE WARRANTY. *SCC *JB
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-09-07
- VIN: 1G8ZG1279TZ
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: AS WITH COMPLAINT 828481, MY VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULDN'T RUN UNTIL I FILLED THE GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK HAD IMPLODED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE - AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY -9/8/98) AND AGAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 63,000 MILES (TANK REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - 9/20/2001). BOTH TIMES, I WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND BOTH TIMES I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE FIRST TIME, THE POLICE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HAD ME TOWED TO A GAS STATION - THE SECOND TIME, THE POLICE BROUGHT A FIVE GALLON CAN AND POURED IT INTO MY GAS TANK. *AK
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-06-19
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT STARTED TO RAIN....TOOK TO SATURN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CABLES...THEY THEN TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $954.00 TO FIX, THE SUNROOF HAS BARELY BEEN USED ON THIS CAR, AS I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER AND WOULD KNOW, IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT IT WOULD BREAK AFTER ONLY A FEW USES, SEEMS MORE LIKE A DEFECTIVE PART. BECAUSE THE SUNROOF IS STUCK PARTIALLY OPEN IT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO THE SLIDER, AND I HAVE TO PUSH IT DOWN EVERY TIME I GET INTO OR OUT OF THE CAR.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-07-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH1272TZ
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT A PISTON ROD BROKE AND WENT THROUGH THE ENGINE, A LARGE HOLE WAS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *AK *SCC *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-09
- VIN: 1G8ZH1273TZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE BATTERY CABLES INSULATIONS SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT RUBBED ON THE BATTERY BRACKET AND ENGINE. *AK *PH *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-04-15
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I OWN A 96 SATURN SC2. I PURCHASED IT IN APRIL OF 2000, WITH 43,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SINCE THEN, I HAVE DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES, NOTICING A SIGNIFICANT OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL USE APPROXIMATELY A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. AROUND TOWN, I CAN SQUEEZE OUT MORE, AROUND NEEDING ONE QUART EVERY 1,000 MILES. I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS, AND FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I MYSELF WORK ON CARS ALL THE TIME AND KNOW TO CHECK AND ADD OIL (MUCH CHEAPER THAN AN OVERHAUL). HOWEVER, FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO SO AND ONLY CHANGE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES MAY WELL END UP STRANDED. THIS SEEMS TO DEFINITELY BE A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE WITH SATURN THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. TS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-07-28
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZH1272TZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RUNNING AND ENGINE WAS COLD, IT HAD ONLY BEEN BACKED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. IT HAD BEEN SITTING APPROX 10 MINNUTES BEFORE IT BURST INTO FLAMES.*AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-08-20
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZH1276TZ
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: NOTIFIED SATURN - NO RESPONSE!!! CAR SLID ON OIL SLICK ROAD, HIT GUARDRAIL. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH1271TZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER MOIST CONDITIONS HORN WILL SUDDENLY GO OFF, AND CONSUMER HAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY IN ORDER TO STOP HORN FROM OPERATING. CONSUMER STATED THAT IT WAS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 98V307000, HOWEVER MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 4 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, LESS THAN A YEAR LATER, THE BATTERY FAILED AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED, THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR. *SLC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-12-15
- VIN: 168ZH1270TZ
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING HORN ACTIVATED ON IT OWN FOR LONG TIME. THEN, WHEN STOPPING HORN WAS NOT WORKING, AND HAD TO BE FIXED. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1G8ZH1275TZ
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DO THE AIRBAGS HAVE TO BE REINSTALLED AFTER DEPLOYMENT? THIS VEHICLE WAS REBUILT BY MY EMPLOYER LESS THE AIR BAGS? PLEASE, PLEASE CALL ME AT HOME OR E-MAIL WITH YOUR RESPONSE AND ANY DOCUMENTATION OR REFERENCE MATERIAL I CAN USE TO CORRECT THIS MATTER.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH1271T2
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING. *ET
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-01-01
- VIN: 1G8ZH1271T2
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN WHILE DRIVING. *ET
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-12-18
- VIN: 1G8ZH1279T2
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THROTTLE STICKS UNLESS RELEASED BY USING THE BRAKE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT NOTHING MAJOR WAS WRONG EXCEPT CARBON BUILD UP. THE LAST TIME WAS IN DEC. 1999, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1996 Saturn Sc1 problems:
Saturn S-Series Questions - What are some problems that occur with ...
Feb 1, 2007 ... The main problem is oil consumption, they all do it and sometimes it's severe. The single cam engine have issues with head cracking but it's ...
1996 Saturn SC1 - 96 saturn wont start
Nov 11, 2010 ... 96 saturnsc1 wont start i think i have it narrowed down to being the park neutral safety switch or the ignition switch but even taking the ...
Who has a Saturn w/more than 75K on it? Does it leak oil ...
I can't have a single frickin' day without something in my GFs' life going wrong! :| About three weeks ago, her car (96 Saturn SC1) was making a ...
Saturn SC1 Problems and Complaints - 14 Issues
Top Saturn SC1 Problems · Check Engine Light Due to Gas Cap Issue · Stalling/Charge Light Illumination Due to Failed Alternator · Front Struts May Wear at 75,000 ...
Saturn S-Series common problems/failures | EricTheCarGuy
Mar 13, 2014 ... -Failed Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor and/or connector: This one is universal, and the single biggest cause of problems with these cars.
Other years of Saturn Sc1
Are you having problems with your 1996 Saturn Sc1?
Leave your review of 1996 Saturn Sc1