Table 1 shows seven common power train related problems of the 1998 Saturn SL1. The number one most common problem is related to the clutch (two problems). The second most common problem is related to the automatic transmission (two problems).
Clutch was in perfect conditions, faliure was in the pressure plate that operates the clutch. Parts department told me that this was not un-common for manual transmitions on Sl1 from 96-99 and when new parts were purchased at the dealer, there had been a design change which increased the total cost Read details...
While driving, the engine stalled. The dealer replaced the crankshaft senor and coolant temperature sensor, however the engine stalled again. The power steering and ignition switch needed to be replaced. The gear did not shift properly, mainly in first gear. Read details...
My wife's '98 Saturn Sl1 has approximately 80,000 miles on it. About a week ago, she was no longer able to shift out of 1st gear. After taking the center console out, I noticed that a rubber grommet that attached the shift rod to the shift cables had rotted and broken in half. Read details...