Three problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1996 Saturn SL1. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Unsatisfactory responses from Saturn customer service; repairs that should be covered per Californias lemon law for our 1996 Saturn Sl1 with only 46k miles. Rote to gm & Saturn ceo's. They lie and do not stand behind their crappy product. We will never buy american again!per my recent conversations with Saturn customer service, there has been absolutely no effort of goodwill to reimburse and fix the below aforementioned mechanical problems from the inferior materials used in building our Saturn vehicle. The failures we need reimbursement for are: 1. Starter replacement: $211. 08 + 45. 17 = $256. 25; we were broken down and had to get fixed immediately at a pep boys shop, 2. New interstate battery: $108. 15; we were broken down and had to get fixed immediately at a chevron shop, 3. Transmission gasket parts and labor: $ ~150. (tbd); already paid and in Saturn database; trans. Seized up now and needs $3000 work; Saturn won't pay for repairs, 4. Alternator parts and labor: $176. 61; we were broken down and had to get fixed immediately at a pep boys shop, the work that needs to be done at Saturn now is: 5. Radiator parts and labor (Saturn work order estimate so# 123412): $417. 16 6. Oil gasket parts and labor (Saturn work order estimate so# 126859): $ tbd 7. Repeat transmission service and gasket parts and labor (Saturn work order estimate so# 126859): $ tbd, this has already been done 18 months ago and is leaking again! also complete rebuild/ $3000. 8. Front passenger seat reclining mechanism needs repair.
1996 Saturn Sl1's have a problem referred to as "delayed engagement in reverse. When you put the car in reverse it will not move, causing potential problems. This is due to the valve body on the transmission wearing excessively, allowing automatic transmission fluid to flow around a poppet before engaging. Saturn is aware of this problem and so are the transmission repair places. Saturn refuses to acknowledge this problem though they have issued a service bulletin for the problem and at about $1000 per repair per vehicle Saturn has a vested interest in not acknowledging the problem.
Automatic transmission while engaged in drive rolls back on an incline, dealer said that is normal. Tt.