NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 24 owner complaints for the 1999 Saturn SC. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (7) and air bags (4). The EPA rates it 26–29 mpg combined.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." SOME OF THE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH SEAT BELT SHOULDER GUIDE ANCHOR BOLTS THAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED AT THE CENTER PILLAR AND COULD FALL OUT, MAKING THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“PURCHASED CAR JUNE OF 2004. CAR WAS ONE DAY OLD AND THE FUSE PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEN OIL WAS HAVING TO BE ADDED. CALLED SATURN AND WAS INFORMED SATURN CARS HAVE A BEEN KNOW TO GO THROUGH OIL. CAR SEEMED TO BE RUNNING HOT ADDED COOLENT TO NOTICE THE COOLENT SEEMED TO BE THICK WITH OIL. FLUSHED SYSTEM ADDED NEW COOLENT. CAR RAN EVEN HOTTER WAS TOLD OIL IN RADIATOR, NEED TO PUT IN NEW RADIATOR. DID THIS AND PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. WAS THEN TOLD HEADS WERE CRACKED. CALLED SATURN AFTER SEEING NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON WEB SITE WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS RECALLS ON FAULTY ENGINE UP TO 1999 MODEL. AND 2000 MODEL. MY CAR YEAR WAS MISSED.”
“MY VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM PASSENGER SIDE, DRIVERS SIDE HIT CONCRETE DIVIDER, AIRBAG KNOCKED ME OUT, AFTER FRONT OF CAR HIT EMBANKMENT, THEN I WOKE UP FROM THE SMOKE, SMELL OF FIRE COMING FROM AIRBAG.”
“THE DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKED BACK AND FOURTH. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,200 | 306 |
| SC Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,400 | 329 |
| SC Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,400 | 329 |
| SC Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, DOHC · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Oct 31, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (7), air bags (4), seats (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Saturn SC at 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).