Most common 1999 Saturn SC1 problems
Share of the 21 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 1999 Saturn SC1 owners say
Seat belts
The seat belts do not retract. It takes over 10 minutes for them to retract once you unfasten them. My seat belts were replaced while under warranty and the problem was still not corrected. I was told "that is how they work". I am now having problems with them locking while driving. The locking is not triggered by anything that we have found it just won't move when you try to. You can't move unless you undo the seat belt wait for it to retract and then refasten it. When you unfasten it there is a clicking noise as it retracts. There has always been a problem with them wanting to hang up when you pull on it to put it on. This problem has existed since just a few months after I bought the car. It continued to get worse. After numerous complaints they replaced all the seat belts in the car. The situation improved slightly but then started getting worse again. …
Rear seat belt would not release, rendering passenger unprotected in case of a crash. Driver seat belt would not retract, leaving seat belt very loose, and rendering driver unprotected in the event of an accident.
Seats
I was rear-ended at 65mph on 12-19. My seat back completely reclined and pinned my 9 year old son. He was unconcious for several seconds and suffered a concussion and neck pain. I suffered neck and back injuries.
Driver seat reclined upon impact during a rear-end collision, causing injury to driver's back and neck.
Brakes
Driver attemtped to enter left lane on interstate while traveling at 65-67 MPH. While entering lane, and at diagonal, had to hit barkes suddenly due to driver in car immediately ahead of vehicle leaving right lane without notice. Hit barkes and rear right wheel "gave' and car rear end began to fishtail uncontrollably. Driver had to exit highway to ceter v-shaped median. Traveling at high, though reduced rate of speed. Car traveled down near incline into v of median center. Car hit ascending area of medianwith front (80%) left (20%) portion of vehicle. Tore off fogs lights, broke lower air dam and tore off license plate brackett while crumpling license plate. Left front tire hit inclined area of median. Vehicle flipped onto roof. Despite impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver suffered concussion, body lacerations, cervical fracture.bumper travel.
While in motion, consumer placed the vehicle in cruise control, maintaining a speed of 66 MPH. Consumer had to apply the brakes to avoid an accident. Consumer felt the brakes catch, then there was a letting go feeling. The rear of the vehicle began to fishtail from side to side. The vehicle was unresponsive to the braking efforts. Consumer tried to exit the road. The vehicle hit the rising of the median and flipped onto its roof. Consumer suffered various bodily injuries. Consumer requests the defects endured be investigated, consumer looked at the bottom of the vehicle and observed that the right rear wheel had de-beaded and had no air, this is what caused the vehicle to fishtail, tire is a Firestone lemans hr tublps 195/60r15, in the accident, the airbag failed to deploy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Saturn SC1 a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 SC1 rates average: 35% fewer complaints than a typical year of the SC1 at the same age. It is one of the best SC1 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 1999 Saturn SC1?
The seat belts — 4 complaints, 19% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › retractor. Next are the seats (4) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 1999 Saturn SC1 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 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 1999 Saturn SC1 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 61,000 miles; 33% 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.