1997 Saturn SC
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 27 of 94 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 65 in 1996 to 94 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,500 | 2,150–2,500 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,250–2,500 | 2,150–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 25–28 | 25–29 | 25–28 | 25–28 | 26–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–24 / 31–36 | 21–25 / 31–36 | 21–24 / 31–36 | 21–24 / 31–36 | 22–25 / 32–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–355 | 306–355 | 317–355 | 317–355 | 306–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 98 | 65 | 94 | 52 | 45 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 13 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Saturn SC have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Saturn SC?
Airbags & Restraints: 27 of 94 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Saturn SC get?
EPA rates it 25–28 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Saturn SC?
EPA estimates $2,250–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 355 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 11 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · Campaign 97V161000 · Sep 30, 1997
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 97V162000 · Sep 30, 1997
Defect: 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.
SEATS · Campaign 96V153000 · Aug 27, 1996
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.