Most common 1998 Saturn SC1 problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saturn SC1 complaints by model year
Best SC1 years: 2000, 1999, 2001. Years to avoid: 1995, 1997. Compare all years →
What 1998 Saturn SC1 owners say
Engine & cooling
During the smog test, my car overheated but the temp. Gauge did not indicate it was hot. The temp gauge was registering that the car was running at it's usual temperature. I have always gotten my oil changed when I'm suppose to, and I've had the engine flushed to try and keep it in good mechanical condition. It also is not starting at times, and today it was making a slight jerking motion as if a fuel filter is clogging. I've replaced the catalytic converter, & a couple of sensors. Plus, my seat belts have never retracted correctly and frequently get caught in the door.
At 60-65 MPH driver heard a knocking sound. The noise level increased rapidly, then, engine stalled. Vehicle was in traveling lane on the highway, consumer exited vehicle, and ran to shoulder. Vehicle was rear ended by 5-6 different vehicles. Dealer stated engine seized due to no oil in reservoir, this caused a hole in the engine block. Consumer had oil change done 200 miles prior to this incident. Please provide dollar amount of damage to vehicle.
Seat belts
Passenger side front seat belt has never worked properly. The problem is intermittent. While vehicle is in motion it will tighten up so that the passenger cannot move, and passenger panics. At times, when passenger enters vehicle, belt will not pull out... Sometimes the door has to be opened and closed, and the belt fiddled with before it will pull out in order to be used. I do not want to drive with unrestrained passengers. My brother and I have owned this vehicle since new, and we have had this in the shop several times. The belt was replaced several times, and it did not make a difference. No problem with driver side belt. I took it in again today and was told again that there was nothing wrong with it. I beg to differ.. A belt that refuses to pull out and/or tries to strangle my passengers has something wrong with it!!!
During the smog test, my car overheated but the temp. Gauge did not indicate it was hot. The temp gauge was registering that the car was running at it's usual temperature. I have always gotten my oil changed when I'm suppose to, and I've had the engine flushed to try and keep it in good mechanical condition. It also is not starting at times, and today it was making a slight jerking motion as if a fuel filter is clogging. I've replaced the catalytic converter, & a couple of sensors. Plus, my seat belts have never retracted correctly and frequently get caught in the door.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
Sun roof rails, after a great deal of research I have found the clips that the sunroof runs along to raise and return the window to its closed position, are defective. The company's answer to this problem is to sell you a very expensive replacement kit in which most of the parts are not even necessary. This is such a common problem with the clips, that there are actually company's that sell the parts around this problem that sell non defective replacement parts that permanently fix the problem.
1998 Saturn sc2- cam cover leak- 12/13/02 same cam cover leak 10/26/04 paid for it twice... $98.86 and 76.98. Electrical nightmare- electric window failed- sun roof motor failed- wants $925.00 to fix- horn had internal short 10/26/04 $112.11, weatherstripping replace on drivers door 5/7/01, belt tensioner replace 12/13/02, idler pulley replaced 10/26/04. Exhaust replaced 5/08/00 & 8/01/00 & 12/13/02.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Saturn SC1 a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 SC1 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the SC1 at the same age. 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 SC1?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the seat belts (10) and windows, wipers & sunroof (4).
How many recalls does the 1998 Saturn SC1 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Saturn SC1. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saturn SC1?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000, 1999 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1997. See the full Saturn SC1 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Saturn SC1 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 56,000 miles; 27% 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.