Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 Saturn SC. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR
- Summary
- 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.
GM/FMVSS 108/OWNER'S MANUAL
- Summary
- 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.
GM/INTERIOR; SEATS.
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (33)
33 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 33 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 10 | 30.3% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 18.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 15.2% |
| Air bags | 3 | 9.1% |
| Power train | 3 | 9.1% |
| Tires | 3 | 9.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 6.1% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 6.1% |
| Visibility | 2 | 6.1% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
How 1997 compares with other SC years
Best and worst SC years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 23 | 1 |
| 1994 | 51 | 1 |
| 1995 | 39 | 2 |
| 1996 | 26 | 0 |
| 1997 | 33 | 3 |
| 1998 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 24 | 1 |
| 2000 | 7 | 7 |
| 2001 | 21 | 2 |
| 2002 | 38 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 317 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 28 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 36 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 356 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 SC for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 Saturn SC FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Saturn SC have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 97V161000 (seat belt), 97V162000 (lighting), 96V153000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Saturn SC problems?
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (10), Seat belts (6), Engine and engine cooling (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Saturn SC get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 24 city, 36 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 SC compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2002 Saturn SC model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (7) and the 1994 the most (51). The 1997 drew 33. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.