1995 Saturn SL: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 1, 2006 · Transmission · 172,171 miles · TX

1995 saturn sl2 manual transmission shifter cable bushing failure while backing out of driveway, pushed in clutch to shift from reverse to first gear and heard a "pop". Transmission went into some gear (not first), engine stalled and gear shift lever was loose and floppy. Coasted around corner and parked next to curb. Repair not yet made. Disassembled center console to expose shifter mechanism and found bushing on lower shift cable had failed and was in 3 pieces. Contacted dealership for availability and price of bushing and was told bushing was integral to cable and entire cable must be replaced. Cost of parts $197.10 plus tax. Will probably end up drilling through the ball and bolting the cable to the shift lever although this may fatigue shifter cable and ultimately require cable replacement. Had this happened on the highway or in traffic instead of a residential street, the result could have been catastrophic.

Filed Jun 25, 2001 · Engine · NY

Vehicle started ticking/overheating, and making noise. Vehicle stalled. Contacted dealer.

Filed May 23, 2001 · Engine · NY

While driving about 65 MPH vehicle start jerking. Then engine will suddenly stall. Sometimes engine light will come on.

Filed Jan 8, 2001 · Engine · IL

When egr vlalve fails, car stalls and takes a minute to restart. This is a common problem with saturns. It took 2 weeks to get a replacement part since they are on national backorder. Please help!

Filed Dec 5, 2000 · Engine · MI

Casting of cylinder head was cracked. This caused engine to stall out. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic that problem was a factory defect in casting of cylinder head. It needed to be replaced.

Filed Feb 18, 2000 · Engine · SC

While driving about 40 MPH consumer heard a popping noise from the engine. Then, vehicle stalled. It was towed to dealer where technician told consumer that it was due to a engine piston wearing out.

Filed Jul 26, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · NY

While driving on highway vehicle would shut down after reaching 65mph. Also, instrument lights would come on prior to shutting off. Alternator was replaced & 2 weeks later the vehicle stalled out again on the highway. Had the vehicle serviced on 27 may 1999 & no problem was found at that time.

Filed Mar 4, 1999 · Transmission · PA

The car started to make a rattling noise suddenly, over a distance of a few blocks. The noise started to get louder, turning into a grinding metal noise. The car then totally stalled out, losing all power, and luckily was able to coast off of the road due to a downhill slope. We had the car towed to houser's automotive, inc., of brookhaven, pa (610) 874-9285. The transmission had a hole in its casing about six inches in diameter and the internal transmission parts could literally be seen. When the mechanics put the saturn on the hoist, they examined the transmission and saw that a pin, or rod, about 3/4 inch thick, had broken and most of it was missing. The one end of the rod was gone, and the hole on one end of this internal component was empty, but the other end of the rod was still in place on the opposite end of the rod in this middle internal component. The transmission fluid had totally leaked out. The entire transmission had to be replaced. I saved the transmission and I also took pictures that clearly show the missing casing of the transmission. If the casing had broken on its upper side against the underbody of the car, it could have penetrated the interior of the car causing serious or fatal injury to my family. Luckily it broke through the downside of the transmission casing, facing the road and did not cause any bodily harm to anyone. The mechanics said it was definitely a defect in the transmission. It was something they had never seen happen before. Saturn has totally denied any reimbursement for the repair costs, even denying any reimbursement for the new saturn transmission that was installed, since no remanufactured transmissions were available for the saturn.

Filed Feb 22, 1999 · Engine · NY

My car had 26,653 miles on it, being only 3.5 years old, when the incident occcured, feb.10, 1999. The egr valve went, with no prior warning, and no earlier signs of failure. I was driving on an open highway, when car stalled. The "check engine light" lit. I barely got vehicle off to side of road. Restarted car long enough to get it to an open parking lot (approx 1 mile), where it coasted to a stop, and could not be restarted. Next morning, feb 11, 1999, had to have car towed to saturn of clarence for repair. Because car was off 3 yr warantee, I had to pay for all repairs, replacements, and labor. I felt this was unwaranted, as the egr should not have become defective in a vehicle, with low mileage. Heavy carbon build-up to egr valve, needing it's replacement. Throttle body had to be cleaned for same reason. Also replaced: 2 coils, and 4 plug wires. Car not running rough prior to this incident date. New information learned indicates that saturn & gm, having trouble with egr valves prematurely needing replacement due to carbon build-up. Thank you, for your time and attention. Dlk

Filed Jun 23, 1998 · Fuel system · KS

While driving 45 MPH the fuel tank collapsed, causing engine to shut down, resulting in vehicle stalling. Please provide details.

Filed May 15, 1998 · Body, Brakes · NC

Egr valve was sticking causing the ses light to illuminate and the vehicle to hesitate/stall.

Filed Mar 21, 1997 · Engine · CA

Owner indicates that the engine stalls at any given time.