Automatic Transmission Problems of Saturn SL1

Saturn 2001 Sl1, my girlfriend was driving the car and called me saying that it was knocking she only drove it around the block due to her being scared of the sounds. I then drove the car around to ensure that it was a transmission problem. The car has 97,000 miles on it and I just had the O2 sensor changed for an idle high issue. I also had to clean out the idle air control valve due to build up and faulty operation. I brought my car to aamco to ensure the transmission is taken care of properly. They have to rebuild the transmission replacing every part inside the casing. 2,480$ in the hole, so I better not have anymore issues with this car after this. Also the door lock gets stuck on the driver side, so you have to manually push over the leaver every time you exit the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2001 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.

See all problems of the 2000 Saturn SL1 🔎.

One evening last week I noticed that when I would shift gears after being parked, it felt like something dropped under my car. The same night, I would be driving about 35-40 miles and hour in the 1-2 rpm range, all of a sudden the gauge would quickly jump to 3 rpms and then drop back down. It did this consistently every 2-3 minutes. I took my car to a local transmission shop the next morning because I felt that it was a serious problem. The body valve was damaged which was the main problem. That was replaced along with a few other parts. When I was paying ($2895) the man that had been helping me informed me that his shop had encountered many transmission problems with my model car (2002 Saturn Sl1) and that they checked in to any kind of recall or bulletins. He said that he felt that gm would be issuing a bulletin relatively soon. I did my own research and found multiple complaints about Saturn transmission problems, in particular the body valve. When my father originally purchased the new vehicle, he had complained about the shifting of the car and gone to the Saturn dealership to complain a few times, and he was told, "OH, that's just the way car is. " I feel that this car had a transmission problem in the beginning that was brushed under the rug, and has created a almost $3000 problem.

See all problems of the 2002 Saturn SL1 🔎.

I have a 2002 Sl1 (auto transmission)with over 150,000 miles on it. The transmission had started clunking when engaged in reverse and also when shifting between other gears. I decided to have my transmission rebuilt. I have had my car at a transmission shop for over a month now. The mechanics replaced my valve box and still am having the same issues. My mechanics is at a loss right now. I have read alot of blogs on the internet about the Saturn transmissions and believe I am not going to get my car fixed by my current mechanic nor anyone else.

Transmission.

Only had the car for a couple of months - started having problems with the transmission. . . . . Kept shifting real hard from 2nd to 3rd (automatic). Took it to our mechanic and said it was out of his hands and referred us to a transmission specialist. Had the car towed to them and once he looked it over it needed a new transmission!!!! only had 60,000 miles - go figure. Valve body!! wrote a letter to the Saturn corporate office about the problem to see what they could do and told us that we should have taken the car to a Saturn service station. We already were in the process of getting it repair, costing us $ 2,000. 00!!!! I feel that Saturn should look into their customer's complaints and realize that there actually is a problem with this models transmission. This could lead to an injury or something more serious. I don't think Saturn would like to have that on their shoulders!! the more complaints about the transmission problem the better and hopefully they will make this a recall for the safety of the consumers.

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.

I was driving going about 55 when the car started to loose power I pushed on the gas and it went up to 5 rpm before kicking in the transmission then it kept doing that where the rmp had to go way up before kicking. I took it to the service department to have it look at but they could not find anything wrong. However it took them three times to find out about my brake problems.

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.

The transmission started going out on my 2001 Saturn Sl1 (automatic), which only has 53,000 miles on it. A Saturn service agent accidentally (I think) told me that the valve body "tends to go out" in that model. A local transmission specialist has verified that, and is repeatedly repairing transmissions on this model.

While driving 50 mph vehicle stalled. Driver tried to restart the vehicle and was not able to do so. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection, and mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced.

This is regarded to the valve body issue that is common in Saturns. I have a 2002 Sl1 with 50,000 miles on it and must need to be replaced after doing research online I have found that there is hundreds of people with the same problem. Why has Saturn not done anything to fix this problem, or offer to help pay for the cost of repairs?.

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 !!!!!.

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.

See all problems of the 1998 Saturn SL1 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Saturn SL1 🔎.

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.

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.

While driving at 10 mph and coming to a halt the computer shut down and nothing in the car worked. Dealer contacted two times in the same day with the same problem and attempted to remedy the problem. Consumer drove the car away with no guarantee the problem would not reoccur. Consumer is not satisfied with the situation. Several repairs of due to loss of power, however vehicle still experiences problems. Transmission experienced problems during shifting, found scuffed valves, replaced valves that were binding.

Automatic transmission while engaged in drive rolls back on an incline, dealer said that is normal. Tt.

Automatic transmission not able to shift into low gear while descending steep grade/mountain roads. Brakes are scorched due to excessive pedal application, and controlling vehicle is with difficulty. Please describe details.