AI Damage1997 Saturn EV1: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Saturn EV1 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (100% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
These vehicles were produced with a charge port assembly that may fail during a charging event, recall issued however owner has not been able to receive new vehicle at this time, recall solution is not sufficient.
Evi vehicle is on recall because a defect in the charge port could cause to overheat (00v-069), however consumer is not happy with it. Yh
Sometimes when the heater was running, I heard a pop noise from left front area of the car. With out warning or engine lights. While charging up electrical battery vehicle caught on fire. .et.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the EV1 has 3 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saturn EV1?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (25%), overheating, coolant loss (25%), smoke, burning smell, fire (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Saturn EV1?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Saturn EV1 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.