Saturn EV1 complaints by model year
1999 Saturn EV1 recalls (4)
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Vehicle description: electric passenger vehicles and pickup trucks containing a nickel metal hydride (nimh) battery pack. These vehicles contain software within the battery pack module intended to disable the vehicle from being driven if the electrical resistance with the battery pack exceeds a prescribed value.
Remedy: Dealers will install revised software in the battery pack module.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Cable/cord › Onboard
Vehicle description: generation ii electric vehicles. Some replacement charger receptacle assemblies used for warranty repairs were built with internal component variation. This variation can generate arcing during the charge cycle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the serial number on the charge receptacle and, if necessary, replace the charge receptacle assembly.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Vehicle description: electric vehicles. These vehicles were produced with wheel speed circuitry in the brake torque control module (btcm) which can cease to operate properly.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the btcm, the ballscrew assemblies in the brake pressure modulator valve, and install new software.
Interior lighting
Vehicle description: certain generation ii electric vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 101, "controls and displays." these vehicles were produced with a courtesy lamp control circuit in the right-hand junction block which can fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-hand junction block.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Saturn EV1:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 1999 Saturn EV1 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1999 Saturn EV1, the most recent from November 13, 2000 (12v/24v/48v battery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.