Does the 2001 Saturn SC have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Saturn SC, the most recent reported on October 12, 2000 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saturn SC?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (5 complaints), followed by air bags (4).

How many 2001 Saturn SC complaints mention a crash or fire?

3 of 21 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Saturn SC recalls and problems

2 recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Saturn SC.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Saturn SC recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 00V309000 · reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 6,092 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles were built with an inadequate vent valve weld on the top portion of the fuel tank.
The risk: Fuel spillage could occur during refueling or if the vehicle were involved in a rollover. If an ignition source were present, a fire could occur.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle to ensure the fuel tank vent valve is properly welded. If necessary, dealers will replace the fuel tank assembly.

Power train: automatic transmission, park/neutral start interlock switch

NHTSA campaign 00V310000 · reported October 12, 2000 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 65,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.
The risk: This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
The fix: Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Electrical system5
Air bags4
Engine and engine cooling4
Steering3
Equipment2
Tires2
Engine1
Exterior lighting1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel/propulsion system1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 8, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system
Vehicle leaks fuel when filled with gasoline at pump. If operator fills vehicle till the pump stops vehicle will leak fuel after roughly 15 seconds of pump stopping. The vehicle will only drip a small puddle of fuel. Vehicle could leak more if vehicle is at an incline or rolled. This has occurred at multiple pump at…

Mar 29, 2017 · Air bags · 160,000 miles
AIR BAGS, NAME UNKNOWN, OPENED AFTER HITTING A CURB IN A PARKING LOT, APPROX. LESS THAN10MPH. NO DENTS, NO DAMAGE, I WAS BRUISED BUT I'M OK, IS MY AIR BAGS A RECALL, SHOULD AIR BAGS POP OUT AFTER BUMPING A CURB, THANK GOODNESS I DIDN'T HAVE MY GRANDCHILD WITH ME, OR ANY BODY!! CAN YOU LET ME KNOW WHY THIS WOULD…

Nov 17, 2014 · Engine · 100,000 miles
2001 SATURN SC WITH FAULTY IGNITION. KEY BINDS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IT ALSO FALLS OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WHEN DRIVING. KEY HAS BEEN GRINDING DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY CYLINDER. THIS IS A HAZARD AND DANGER TO ANYONE WHO DRIVES THIS VEHICLE. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT HAS NOT…

Aug 7, 2014 · Electrical system · 185,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SC. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO THE ON POSITION PROPERLY. IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START, THE CONTACT HAD TO TAMPER WITH THE KEY AND IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD EJECT FROM THE IGNITION WHILE DRIVING…

Aug 6, 2014 · Electrical system · 135,000 miles · fire reported
WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING TESTED IN THE SHOP, A FUSE WAS REPLACED. A FIRE STARTED IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SATURNS. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP CHECKED WITH A GENERAL MOTORS WHO VERIFIED THAT IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR SATURNS TO CATCH ON FIRE.

SC model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	7	7	2	0
2001	2	21	3	1
2002	0	38	7	2

Across all years, the 2002 SC has the most complaints (38). All Saturn SC years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Saturn SC have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Saturn SC, the most recent reported on October 12, 2000 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saturn SC?: Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (5 complaints), followed by air bags (4).
How many 2001 Saturn SC complaints mention a crash or fire?: 3 of 21 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 8, 2022.