Most common 1998 Saturn SC problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SC complaints by model year
Best SC years: 2000, 1998, 2001. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
What 1998 Saturn SC owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
As I'm pulling away from a stop sign, I go to shift into 2nd gear & it's as if my manual gear shifter is not attached to anything. I am now not in any gear , unable to shift into gear, & left coasting across a 4 lane, 2 way street. Also, both front seat seatbelts only retract about half way, and it has been that way from at least 17000 miles.
Air conditioning unit stopped cooling.dealer wanted to trouble shoot@$80.00/hour. Haynes service manual said to check fuse .replaced diode @$4.00 and fixed myself. Manual transmission whining in 2nd and 3rd gear. Checked transmission dipstick and transmission fluid was low. Added fluid and anything over 1 quart poured out. Had transmission shop check it out for blown seal and they found internal metal fracture in transaxle inner case caused by shear pin movement. Saturn issued service manual notification in jan.1998. Dealer and Saturn are no help. Vehicle only warranteed 3 years or 36K even though this has been a known problem since 1997. Saturn blames owners for their bad engineering and does not stand behind their crappy vehicles
Engine & cooling
Car overheated on 4 lane highway. Had to pull over while cars were driving by. Replacement of head gasket at 101,000 miles. Car is still not working properly as head was replaced and now a ping had developed. 8jb
Air conditioning unit stopped cooling.dealer wanted to trouble shoot@$80.00/hour. Haynes service manual said to check fuse .replaced diode @$4.00 and fixed myself. Manual transmission whining in 2nd and 3rd gear. Checked transmission dipstick and transmission fluid was low. Added fluid and anything over 1 quart poured out. Had transmission shop check it out for blown seal and they found internal metal fracture in transaxle inner case caused by shear pin movement. Saturn issued service manual notification in jan.1998. Dealer and Saturn are no help. Vehicle only warranteed 3 years or 36K even though this has been a known problem since 1997. Saturn blames owners for their bad engineering and does not stand behind their crappy vehicles
1998 Saturn SC engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 36 / 28 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 23 / 34 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Saturn SC a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 SC rates better than average: 52% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SC at the same age. It is one of the best SC years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Saturn SC?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission › cooling unit and lines. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 Saturn SC have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Saturn SC. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SC?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 1998 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Saturn SC years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Saturn SC problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.