Automatic Transmission problems of the 2000 Saturn SL1

My 2000 Saturn Sl1 sometimes has reverse & sometimes not & to get it to go into reverse you have to give it a lot of gas & it has went in reverse at low & high speeds. This could be dangerous.

1. I purchased my 2000 Saturn Sl1 from a used car dealer about 2 months ago. After I started the car and shifted into reverse. For a few seconds nothing happened and I thought I was either against a bump in the pavement or it was still in neutral. I gave it more gas. Suddenly, the car slammed into reverse and I nearly lost control and backed into a car. I checked the transmission fluid level to see if more was needed. It was full. A couple days late, it did it again. Now it does it about every third reverse shift. Also the service engine soon light came on. So, I checked the computer codes and they indicated a transmission problem. I got on the internet to see what had to be done to fix it. It turns out many Saturn owners are having the same problem with their transmissions. There is even a service bulletin, NHTSA item number: 612478 this is very expensive repair to the transmission to fix a valve problem. Many Saturn owners can't afford such a repair. So, they drive the car at the risk of backing into something or someone. Saturn obviously knew something was wrong a long time ago and didn't recall the vehicles.

Reverse gear had been acting funny (not going into reverse and allowing the car to slide forward before grabbing). Grinding sound was noted, took car into aaa approved facility, they could not find anything wrong. Finally reverse gear just quit (as I was trying to parallel park) and "service engine soon" light came on. This whole process took about a month from start to finish. Took it back to aaa approved facility who put in on the computer and found various codes p0300, p0732, p1599, p0732, p1599. The mileage on this car is 37,134. I bought it new in 2000. Called Saturn in stevens creek, was told that I needed to bring it to a Saturn dealership. Explained to them that the nearest one is approx. 2 hours from where I live and I was not comfortable driving a car with transmission problems that distance. (2nd into 3rd gear was now very rough shifting). Was told that was the only option. This is my only car so this was not an option at all. Checked around this area to find someone to fix it. Aamco will no longer repair transmissions in Saturn cars because they are so unreliable. Found a repair shop through word of mouth who said they will fix it for $1,700. 00. They did research and found a bulletin (# 00-t-24) which deals exactly with this problem and suggests how to fix it. In the bulletin (of which I have a copy) it states "this condition may be caused by an improperly machined surface finish on the area of the input shaft hub where the seals ride. Improper surface finish on the input shaft hub allows cross leakage between the 1st and 2nd/ rev clutches". This is the fault of Saturn and they should pay for any repairs. In addition to the $1,700. 00 for repairs, I am having to rent an economy car for a week at a cost of $163. 58. Again, this car has only 37,134 miles on it.

Without any warning, I got in my Saturn and started it and the "service engine soon" light went on. As I put it in reverse to put it in a parking space, there was no reverse movement, only reving engine. The dealer I took it to, told me this was a "known" problem (a nut gets loose and falls off, inside the transmission. I also needed a transmission service. I was suspecious at first but I was not close to home so I paid the $440. Oo. Today I find that there are identical and nearly identical complaints and that this problem is known since Apr 2000, one month after I purchased the vehicle new. This is so obvious a warranty situation and I want to be reimbursed with credit card interest !!!!!.

My 2000 Saturn Sl1 has a problem which I feel is a manufacturer's defect. When put into reverse, the car either does not shift at all, or, hesitates then shifts unexpectedly, or shifts only when gas and brake are pressed at the same time. This is a very dangerous problem that is just an accident waiting to happen.

I am the third complaint with the same problem: intermittently, when placed in park or neutral or while driving, the vehicle will rpm 3,500-4,000. I have taken to dealer and private mechanics and no answer has been given. Nothing shows on diagnostic computer. When engine revs, I will place in park, turn car off, and start again. Sometimes this does the trick. This is very dangerous as vehicle will try to drive when waiting at a stop light and foot is on the brake. Please help.

The vehicle has had a history of possible manufacturer defects within the transmission as stated in the technical service bulletin #00-t-24 issued on 04/2000. The Saturn dealer at which I purchased this vehicle will not even consider the defect, but instead wishes to charge me for a new transmission. My vehicle is not even 2 years old. I would hope that the corporation would stand behind there product, instead of trying to make up excuses.

While driving, there is a delayed engagement when changing gears which makes it hard to go into gear, the vehicle also coasts before engaging into gear, the rpm's will race all the way into the red zone going 30 mph. Nlm tt.

The shift lever, and release button was loose at purchase. When shifting the lever slides very easy pass the gear without stopping, while driving and reaching for the radio the lever was touched by wrist and slipped into neutral without even pushing the batton on the lever. The dealer has been contacted.