AI Damage1999 Saturn SC: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Saturn SC filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 4 complaints (17% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 3 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.9 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 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.
My vehicle was moving on the freeway, when I was hit from passenger side, drivers side hit concrete divider, airbag knocked me out, after front of car hit embankment, then I woke up from the smoke, smell of fire coming from airbag.
Upon impact, air bags did not deploy the front driver or the front passenger air bags did not deploy. There were two occupants in the vehicle and both havd seat belts on. Pictures and police report are available. The vehicle was totaled, and one occupant sustained injuries.
Upon impact the air bags did not deployed. Resulting in minor injuries. Dealer would be notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
On may 12, 2012 I tried to start my car and it wouldn't turn over. I had it towed to the local mechanic and he replaced the ignition module (part number lx386) on my 1999 saturn sc2. Then on december 5, 2013, I was driving on the grand central parkway in nyc and my car died.
Today I went to put my 1999 5 speed saturn sc1 into reverse. When I did, I felt a pop and was stuck in reverse. After removing the console, we found that the plastic bushing holding the gearshift rod to the cable had snapped. (luckily I was in a parking lot when this occurred).
1999 saturn and I have had big problems getting the key out of the ignition. I have never had this problem with any car.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the cylinder head cracked from the engine, and needed replacement.
Consumer's seat belt latch would not unlock after her son came out of car seat and got tangled in the car seatbelt. Toddler became wrapped in the seatbelt, the latch would not work. The fire department removed the child by cutting the seat belt off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,585 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SC has 25 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 24, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- 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 1999 Saturn SC?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, seats. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (13%), seat belts (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Saturn SC?
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 1999 Saturn SC 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 1999 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 2026-11-06.