The 1993 Saturn Sc1 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 367,292 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 85 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seats. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE GENERATOR ELECTRICAL WIRING IS NOT PROTECTED AGAINST EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW WHICH MAY BE CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE GENERATOR.
Consequence
SHOULD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OCCUR IN THEGENERATOR, THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, ENOUGH HEAT COULD BE GENERATED TO IGNITE SURROUNDINGMATERIALS. IF THIS OCCURS, AN UNDERHOOD FIRE COULD RESULT WITH OR WITHOUT THEENGINE RUNNING AND WITHOUT PRIOR…
Remedy
THE GENERATOR WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH ONE THAT WILL OPEN AS A FUSE WOULD UNDER CERTAIN EXCESSIVE CURRENT FLOW CONDITIONS.
THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL AT THE STARTER SOLENOID MAY BE FORMED INCORRECTLY. INCORRECTLY FORMED TERMINALS CAN CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING AND CAUSE AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BATTERY CABLE ANDTHE STARTER HOUSING CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL SO THAT IT DOES NOT CONTACT THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING.
Complaints by component
SEATS
6
2crashes2injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
6
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
4
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
SEAT BELTS
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
2crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
3
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints85
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1993 saturn sc2 front seat back recliner mechanism failed causing seat back to recline suddenly and almost injuring passenger in the car. Seat will no longer stay forward which results in seat going back a soon as you press gas pedal. *tr”
“Consumer was driving at approximately 25 mph and suddenly the lights went dim and smoke began coming from the front of the vehicle. The service manager told consumer that there was a fire coming from the engine compartment, and the wire that connected to the alternator melted. *ak”
“Consumer complained about multiple failures. The trunk failed to close on its own. While driving the trunk would open and would not close, and will not lock. Also, consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. The brakes grabbed slowly and caused loss of braking power. Consumer took…”
“Consumer complained about multiple failures. The trunk failed to close on its own. While driving the trunk would open and would not close, and will not lock. Also, consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. The brakes grabbed slowly and caused loss of braking power. Consumer took…”
“Vehicle was stopped when rear ended by vehicle traveling approx. 25 mph. Seat back collapsed on driver's side to 45 degree angle.body shop unable to repair to original condition without replacement.”
“The battery cable failed which caused the consumer to replace the battery every year. A recall was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall. *ak the saturn dealer refused to fix the battery cable. Recall# 93v094000. *scc *jb”
“Consumer states this is third time has change automatic transmision . Dealer has been notified. And problem is reocuuring. Mr”
“Due to plastic door skin (outer paneling ) opening the door in a low speed car accident in addition to passive seat belt falure (intermittently worked)I was ejected from car and left paralyzed. Automatic door locking was rejected by saturn due to cost leaving safety out of concern. *jb”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA95003 Opened 1995-02-24 · closed 1996-05-31
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES
THIS INVESTIGATION DOCUMENTED HTE FUNCTIONAL ABERATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBJECT CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.MOST OF THE MALFUNCTIONS INVOLVED FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO PROPERLY REGULATE VEHICLE SPEED WHEN ENGAGED, FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE, OR SELF-DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SYSTEM. THESE…
InvestigationPE94079 Opened 1994-11-07 · closed 1995-02-24
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1993 Saturn Sc1 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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