Automatic Transmission Problems of Saturn SL2 - part 1

2001 Saturn Sl2 transmission will slam when placed in reverse replaced fluids and let run in reverse position with emergency brake set and backed up against a tree to try and clean valve body - no success.

See all problems of the 2001 Saturn SL2 🔎.

Within the past few months when I put the vehicle in reverse it jerks violently. This problem is not consistent. I attempted to have it looked at by the dealer they said they couldn't replicate the problem. Upon speaking to one of the associates at the dealer they said they think they know what it is . . . Its a common problem but wait until the car does it regularly and it will cost approx $1200 to fix. This is a known problem and Saturn/gm needs to do a recall on these transmissions.

See all problems of the 1999 Saturn SL2 🔎.

The contact owns a 2000 Saturn Sl2. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact heard a loud bang. The vehicle shook and smoke appeared under the hood. There was a lot of fluid on the ground, and the vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. He found a hole in the transmission and called the dealer and manufacturer; however, they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 07/29/08 updated 08/01/08.

See all problems of the 2000 Saturn SL2 🔎.

My 2001 Saturn Sl2 recently developed a sever 'buck' in the automatic transmission when it shifts. That is, when it changes gears it either slams into the next or hesitates then slams. Reverse is the most severe as it slammed so hard that it broke the muffler from its mount at the very rear of the vehicle. The fluid has been changed ahead of schedule on the transmission, and the oils changes have also been timely. I've read on several forums that this is not only symptomatic of the make and model of my car, but predominate in quite a few of the models in the Saturn family. I've since had the fluid changed to no avail of correcting the problem. . Read more...

Dealer has not been notified as of yet. When transmission is switched to reverse, the vehicle gives a very strong jolt backwards, like a hard-knock engaging of the gears, so strong I am afraid it could cause a whip-lash someday.

The contact owns a 2002 Saturn Sl2. While driving between 20 and 40 mph mph, the vehicle became sluggish while the contact attempted to accelerate. He had to slow the vehicle down and gradually accelerate in order to switch gears. The contact spoke with the dealer and they accused him of not following the maintenance schedule. The current mileage was 33,323 and failure mileage was 33,175. Updated 04/04/08.

See all problems of the 2002 Saturn SL2 🔎.

The contact owns a 2001 Saturn Sl2. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and slammed into gear. The dealer stated that the motor mount failed and they changed the transmission fluid. Approximately ten days later, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and he stated that the lining inside the transmission separated, which allowed debris to enter the gears and valves. As of November 27, 2007, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 74,000.

I have a 2002 Saturn Sl2 and I've had to replace my transmission twice now. I believe that the dealership in manchester, nh knowingly sold it to me like this since I had brought up a very slight speed up effect the car had to the car sales woman, and she had told me that it was because the car had a slightly more powerful engine than the 4. 0 I was used to (it had a 4. 6) and the jump was just the "extra power". I haven't even owned the car for 18 months yet. It's a piece of crap and I have a pretty bitter taste in my mouth from dealing with the car dealerships in nh and in MD. The dealership in salisbury, MD wanted to charge me $3100 for a new transmission. I noticed (after the fact) that there was some technical problems with the transmission from the beginning in all '02 s-series, but I really think that if there's so many people having issues that there should be some sort of recall on the product. It has already cost me about $5000 on top of the 9,000 that I have already spent to purchase it (cost of car plus bank interest for loan). The car is hardly worth $14,000 but I'm still upside-down on my loan so I can't get rid of the thing. I've looked into the research on the NHTSA website in hopes that it will give some insight on how to fix the problem permanently (more money down the drain) but Saturn should really be reprimanded or made to reimburse the customers somehow. Cars are really too big of a purchase for things to go this wrong.

At approx. 71,000 miles, automatic transmission began exhibiting shifting difficulties between 2nd & 3rd gears. Reputable transmission shop diagnosed problem as hydraulic leaks within transmission. Replaced seals with trans. Rebuild, replaced mlps, total repair cost over $3650. Trans. Was not abused, this was a premature trans. Failure.

Dt- was on the internet wondered if there was a recall for Saturn Sl2. There was, but it didn't include this vehicle due to VIN. When key is not in the ignition one can shift in any gear, and the vehicle will roll. It can be stolen if someone chose to push it onto a truck.

While pulling inside of the garage without warning the vehicle shifted into reverse. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle. The driver contacted a mechanic and the mechanic came over to inspected the vehicle. The mechanic informed the driver that the asm-m cable lever for the transmission needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.

Vehicle was not running properly. Taken to mechanic who told me that vehicle was 5 quarts low on transmission fluid and vehicle would have stopped running if not taken care of at that time. Although vehicle only had 35000 miles on it transmission, which had defect, had to be rebuilt for $2400+.

See all problems of the 1998 Saturn SL2 🔎.

When putting the gear shift in reverse vehicle would not move. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.

Explosion in transmission of 1999 Saturn Sl2.

After turning the vehicle on and when placing the gear in park or neutral vehicle jumped forward. Dealer examined the vehicle, and found that that valve body assembly had been replaced.

While driving 65 mph in first gear transmission shifted to fourth gear without warning, and consumer temporarily lost control of the vehicle. Consumer shifted vehicle to neutral, then back to first gear to regain control of the vehicle. Dealership mechanic tried to repair the vehicle, but was unable to resolve the problem. The occupants sustained muscles pulls, bumps, and bruises.

See all problems of the 1997 Saturn SL2 🔎.

When vehicle is engaged in reverse it makes a terrible noise. Dealer notified.

While shifting in reverse the vehicle became inoperative. Consumer applied the accelerator pedal and the vehicle failed to move. Consume rwas unable to turn of the windshield wiper. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, an d mechanic determined that transmission and windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced.

Transmission was defective, when shifting it down shifted and changed gears on its own. Manufacturer to date has offered no assistance.

1999 Saturn Sl2 with 30,500 miles transmission exploded.

We brought our Saturn into the oakland, CA dealer for a transmission diagnosis. Automatic transmission has developed some leaks and clutch / gear assembly problems. Initial quote from the dealer service manager for repair is $2600. 00+. Extended warranty expired 12/31/02, and the car is currently at the 94,904 mile mark. At the 91,328 mileage mark, the dealer performed an "87,000 mile" service, not a "90,000 mile" service. Why didn't the service advisor inform my daughter that the "90,000 mile" service was due, which included a transmission service? from my perspective this appears to be a case of this dealership not training their service advisors properly to advise a customer regarding routine maintenance. The car is currently at the 94,904 mile mark, and it seems reasonable that if the dealer had performed the "90,000 mile" service when the car was at the 91,328 mileage mark and inspected the transmission these problems would have been identified and repaired while the car still under warranty. Saturn has issued at least one dozen service bulletins regarding maintenance of this transmission several targeted to the specific issue of transmission leaks and repairs. Does this Saturn dealer have a pattern of not informing female customers about recommended maintenance? is this an issue at other Saturn dealers? is this a case of gender bias since the male service advisor did not communicate the factory recommendations to a female customer? maintenance work by the Saturn oakland (CA)dealer:fuel pump replaced, water pump replaced, window mechanisms replaced, drive belt replaced, idler pulley replaced, motor mounts replaced, alternator replaced, the power steering pump replaced. We don't understand how they could have inspected/diagnosed/repaired all these items and not have included the transmission maintenance at key mileage milestones.

While driving transmission failed with no warning. While driving, the vehicle all of a sudden overheated and stalled. The consumers mechanic told her the intake manifold was severely damaged.

I have had trouble with this car since new delay and hard shifts into reverse always, and forward gears quite frequently had Saturn service dept check and they show no codes.

Transmision hesitates and jerks before going into any gear. Problem has existed for 3 months. Dealer was notified, and found a faulty transmission valve.

I have only had this car 11 months. It only has 42, almost 43,000 miles on it and the transmission needs to be replaced. I dont understand that. I need some help getting my car repaired or replaced. I came to a complete stop and put the car in reverse to park. It wouldnt go into reverse. I took it to the dealer the following morning and they told me that I need a new transmission but couldnt explain how or why it happened. Help!! please!!ak.

Valve body in automatic transmission needs to be replaced. Vehicle cannot be put into reverse. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

Failure of reverse and 2nd gear consistent with sb612478, dated 4/2000. 2nd gear faded effectiveness over time, while reverse gear disappeared suddenly on 11/1/01. Examination by mechanic found the gear ring for reverse (which also holds 2nd gear) had disintegrated spraying debris throught the rest of the transmission. Manufacturer was aware of defect while vehicle was still under warranty, and vehicle had been serviced by dealer subsequent to the 4/00 bulletin. This information was not presented by Saturn to the customer, and Saturn has tried to claim the service bulletin means nothing. Dealer/Saturn corporate require examintion by their representative (dealer) prior to remedy, yet they will not do it without requiring labor be paid upfront. I purchased a 2nd Saturn in June 2001, a 2001 l200, that is also having 2nd gear difficulty at only 9000 miles. My trust in Saturn is in shambles -- I have been driving this vehicle for a year and half since this bulletin under the assumption that the vehicle was safe to drive, only to learn that information had been hidden relating to my vehicle. I purchased my second Saturn based on this false trust, and I feel cheated. I expect Saturn to remedy the defect, promtly and at their cost.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Caution: Saturn automatic transmision may be dangerous if it hesitates and clunks into gear or downshifts inappropriately. Saturn's computer diagnostic system may not detect dangerous transmission control condition. Saturn corp. Policy on paying dealer for diagnostic work for warranty items may discourage dealer from further investigating possibly dangerous conditions.

Consumer was traveling 55mph on wet roads vehicle downshifted into low gear at highway speed. Consumer lost control and crashed into a concrete bridge which guided him to a stop. Twice vehicle was in shop for clunking, and twice with downshifting added. Vehicle in a repair shop to see what damage has been done. The consumer says the dealer should have addressed the symptems of potentially dangerous transmission problem during the 4 service periods. The vehicle was a total loss. The consumer was sekking financial reimbersement for the loss and expenses.

After driving approximately 5 miles, when I stop and put car in reverse, it hesitates then abruptly shifts into reverse. I have checked technical service bulletins and found TSB#96-t-38a in regards to harsh engagement into reverse on the Saturns. This sounds exactly like my problem.

See all problems of the 1996 Saturn SL2 🔎.

At 32,000 mile vehicle will not shift into reverse. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

No summary.

Second occurrance: 7-26-99 reported trans. Bucks when accelerating. Transaxle-reset adaptives, said nothing wrong. 08- 25-99 lost reverse gear again. . Dealer refused to supply paperwork for work performed. Said not in computer yet. After 3 calls, mailed hand-written work-order post-marked 9-10-99. To date have not received computer printout.

The vehicle stalled intermittently while driving. The cam switch was replaced twice, the idle control was adjusted and the throttle was replaced yet the problem recurred. The vehicle lunged forward when the vehicle was shifted in reverse. The transmission was replaced.