Summary
The Saturn SC has 6 recalls spanning the 1992-2002 production run, with the most serious being a 2002 model year brake pedal defect where the rubber pad can separate from the pedal arm during braking, leaving the driver pressing against bare metal with reduced braking feel and control.
The 1992 model year has a separate powertrain concern where the gear selector on automatic transmission vehicles can display PARK or NEUTRAL while the transmission is actually in REVERSE or DRIVE, meaning the engine can start and the vehicle can move in an unintended direction. On 1994 models, the front seat back recliner gear teeth can wear down over time and cause the seat to slip rearward under load, and if the wear progresses far enough, the seat back can fully recline while the vehicle is moving, which can cause the driver to lose control. The 1995 model year has an ignition interlock issue where it may be possible to remove the key while the transmission is not in PARK, allowing the vehicle to roll. A similar locking system concern affects 2000 models, where an improperly adjusted park lock cable can allow the transmission to be shifted out of PARK even after the key is removed. On 1997 models, the ignition cylinder can allow the key to be removed while the engine is still running, requiring the key to be reinserted in order to shut the engine off.
