25 of the
286 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL are about the
transmission — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
118,075 miles.
B
25
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Automatic Transmission
1144.0%
Manual Transmission
936.0%
Floor Shift Assembly
28.0%
Power Train
14.0%
Cooling Unit AND Lines
14.0%
Column Shift Assembly
14.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Saturn SL year
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN HE SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR AND THE SHIFTER CABLE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SHIFTER LEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD TO REPLACE TWO SHIFTER CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 7/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF A SMALL PLASTIC BUSHING USED TO JOIN THE SHIFTING LEVER TO THE SHIFTING CABLE IN A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE BUSHING FAILED, THE SHIFTING CABLE FELL OFF THE SHIFTING LEVER WHICH LEFT THE CONSUMER UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE HE WAS STOPPED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BROKEN BUSHING, BUT INSTEAD REPLACED THE ENTIRE CABLE AS WELL AS AN ADJOINING CABLE. UPDATED 08/06/12
NHTSA complaint #10463438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 143,125 milesNaprville, IL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1997 SATURN SL, 4 DOOR SEDAN, MANUAL TRANSAXLE, 143000 MILES AT A PARKING LOT: SHIFTER CABLE PLASTIC BUSHING BROKE LOCKING MY TRANSAXLE IN REVERSE. PROBLEM FIXED WITH AN AFTERMARKET KIT SOLD BY NAPA AUTO STORES.
NHTSA complaint #10284235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesBellton, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SATURN SL1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THE SHIFT LEVER CABLE FRACTURED; THUS DISABLING THE VEHICLE FROM SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. GEAR FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102000.
NHTSA complaint #10281665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesLong Beach, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
DRIVING ALONG COMMUNITY ROAD AND MANUAL SHIFT LINKAGE BECAME INOPERATIVE. FAILURE WAS TOTAL, SHIFTING WAS IMPOSSIBLE, WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SATURN USED A PLASTIC PUSH-IN BUTTON TO RETAIN THE SHIFT MECHANISM TO THE EYELET OF THE SHIFT CABLE........A PLASTIC BUSHING FOR A PART OF THE CAR THAT IS CRITICAL! A REPLACEMENT WAS BUSHING FABRICATED OUT OF SUITABLE MATERIAL AND A TAPPED HOLE, AND BOLT, WAS ADDED TO THE SHIFTER ROD SO THAT COMPLETE FAILURE IS NOT POSSIBLE. TOO BAD DETROIT ENGINEERS SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO SOCIETY, THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN SUCH DANGER WITH SUCH A POOR DESIGN OF A CRITICAL PART.
NHTSA complaint #10273865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesCharlotte, NC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON 13SEP2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 1400HRS I WAS OPERATING MY 1997 SATURN SL2 (MANUAL) AT LOW SPEED IN MY DRIVEWAY; WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ENGAGE IN GEAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I DISCOVERED THAT MY SHIFTING CABLE LINKAGE HAD BECOME DISENGAGED (SPECIFICALLY THE SHIFTING ROD AND THE PLASTIC BALL-JOINT COVER). AFTER ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE THE PART VIA LOCAL AUTO PART MERCHANTS I CONTACTED A LOCAL SATURN DEALERSHIP. I SPOKE TO A MEMBER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE SHIFTING ROD ASSEMBLY, AND CONCURRENT DAMAGE TO THE PLASTIC BALL-JOINT COVER WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. WHEN ASKED HOW MUCH IT WAS TO BUY THE PLASTIC BALL-JOINT COVER THE SERVICE EMPLOYEE INFORMED ME IT WOULD COST $195.00; BECAUSE ONE HAS TO BUY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY AND NOT JUST THE PLASTIC BALL-JOINT COVER. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10242685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,075 milesCardiff BY THE SEA, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 SL1 AND ON THE 3RD DAY OF OWNING IT THE SHIFTER BROKE CAUSING IT TO GO LIMP. AT THE TIME I WAS ON THE 101 FREEWAY STUCK IN TRAFFIC WITH MY THREE CHILDREN. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOWED IT TO HIS SHOP FOR REPAIRS. AFTER MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIR, HE DID A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK. THIS WAS WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE OIL HAD WATER MIXED IN WITH IT CAUSING A WHITE SMOKE ESCAPING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I'M CERTAIN THIS PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND MOST LIKELY WAS THE REASON FOR SELLING. AFTER READING THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS FROM CAR SURVEY, I BELIEVE SATURN ENGINEERED THIS VEHICLE "BY DESIGN" WITH THESE PROBLEMS AS A FORECAST FOR REVENUE.
NHTSA complaint #10223752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,075 milesCardiff BY THE SEA, CA1 injured
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 SL1 AND ON THE 3RD DAY OF OWNING IT THE SHIFTER BROKE CAUSING IT TO GO LIMP. AT THE TIME I WAS ON THE 101 FREEWAY STUCK IN TRAFFIC WITH MY THREE CHILDREN. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE TOWED IT TO HIS SHOP FOR REPAIRS. AFTER MAKING THE NECESSARY REPAIR, HE DID A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK. THIS WAS WHEN HE DISCOVERED THE OIL HAD WATER MIXED IN WITH IT CAUSING A WHITE SMOKE ESCAPING FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I'M CERTAIN THIS PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND MOST LIKELY WAS THE REASON FOR SELLING. AFTER READING THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS FROM CARSURVEY, (COMPLAINTS LISTED BELOW) I BELIEVE SATURN ENGINEERED THIS VEHICLE "BY DESIGN" WITH THESE PROBLEMS FORECASTING THEIR REVENUE.
NHTSA complaint #10223750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,409 milesNEW Orleans, LA2 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. *AK THE OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED MUSCLES PULLS, BUMPS, AND BRUISES.
NHTSA complaint #10050158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,328 milesCastro Valley, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING, THE SHIFTED CABLE BUSHING (WHICH IS MADE OF PLASTIC) BROKE PREVENTING THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #566856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Hills, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #8004668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islit, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE. AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WAS THE FORWARD GEARS WHICH FAILED AND WERE NOT WORKING. DEALSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #898687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Islip, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AND WAS MERGING INTO TRAFFIC WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN GEAR AND FAILED TO CHANGE.*AK CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO PURCHASING VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A CLUNK NOISE WHEN CHANGED GEARS INTO REVERSE, ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERABLE, ALSO THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ENGINE MOUNTS WERE REPLACED,BRAKES WERE REPLACED, SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, ENGINE OVERHEATS.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #898710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olympia, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
LEAK DISCOVERED WHEN GETTING OIL CHANGED. TOOK IT TO DEALER, ADVISED NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, REPLACED SHIFT GEAR.. 5 MONTHS LATER LEAKS AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #717177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN FIRST GEAR FOR BRAKING ON STEEP MOUNTAIN GRADES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN FIRST GEAR FOR BRAKING ON STEEP MOUNTAIN GRADES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT LOCK IN FIRST GEAR FOR BRAKING ON STEEP MOUNTAIN GRADES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ONGOING PROBEM WITH TRANSMISSION NOT CHANGING GEARS PROPERLY ON ANY SPEED, AND SLOW RESPONDING FROM A STOP POSITION/TAKE OFF, HESITATION. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO THE FLOOR BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE, AND WILL BE TRADING IT IN WITHIN A FEW MONT ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE PASSING IT ON .
NHTSA complaint #850779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE SENDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #606609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaumont, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION--BUSHING WENT OUT. SPARK MISFIRE--COMPUTER MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #609776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, MO
POWER TRAIN
I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS LATENT DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION THAT HAS NOT BEEN DETECTED.
NHTSA complaint #709162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPAIR ON THREE OCCASIONS, VALVE BODY, CONNECTOR AND GASKET, FAILURES CAUSING SLIPPING. MJS
NHTSA complaint #607972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn Hills, MI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
THE E- CLIP ON STICK SHIFT THAT HOLDS THE SHIFT CABLE KEEPS DISMOUNTING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO BE PUT INTO GEAR. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #836899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sonora, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS NO POWER, THE GAS LEVEL IS VERY POOR ON A HILL, SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO UP HILL AT ALL, LOSING RPMS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #833565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #602568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.