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Research · Subcompact Cars

1998 Saturn SCRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 13 owner complaints for the 1998 Saturn SC. Most complaints involve power train (4) and engine and engine cooling (3). The EPA rates it 25–28 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
25–28mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
13
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1998 Saturn SC as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

13 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 1999 – Jun 2016
  1. Power train4
  2. Engine and engine cooling3
  3. Steering1
  4. Electrical system1
  5. Tires1
  6. Service brakes1
  7. Latches/locks/linkages1
  8. Vehicle speed control1
  9. Air bags1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each SC model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199626
199733
199813
199924
20007
200121
200238
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

4 reports
“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. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2009Power train, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10270017

Engine and engine cooling

3 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2005Engine and engine coolingODI 10130524

Steering

1 report
“CAR KEY LOCKS UP IN IGNITION, WONT TURN OR COME OUT. CABLE TO PARK MECHANISM WONT DISENGAGE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, TODAY IT TOOK 40 MINUTES OF JIGGLING STEERING WHEEL,KEY, BRAKE SHIFTER TO DISENGAGE TO GET THE CAR STARTED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2016Steering, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 10881827
All 1998 SC problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.9L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SC
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
243628$2,300317
SC
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
233427$2,400329
SC
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
233326$2,450342
SC
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,550355
  • SC
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    24 city · 36 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • SC
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • SC
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • SC
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Saturn SC as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 SC questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Saturn SC have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 1998 Saturn SC problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (4), engine and engine cooling (3), steering (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Saturn SC get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Saturn SC at 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026