1996 Saturn SL transmission problems

Filed Sep 18, 2008 · Transmission · 294,981 miles · FL

On his way to work on sept. 16, 2008, my boyfriend heard a strange sound and then lost use of 2,4,r gears. In morning rush hour traffic on us 1, he continued to work with the use of 1,3 gears. We troubleshoot online and through friends with mechanical experience and temporarily used a zip tie confirming that the defective part was the shift cable bushing. Local stores do not carry the part as it is carried by dealer only. Saturn does not sell the part without the entire assembly (manual transmission shift cable bushing with clip part # 14043) and has priced without installation at $198.00. The parts manager did not even ask me for the model, said he has plenty in stock and that there is a minimum 3 hour installation with labor priced at $95/hr. He also stated that as this is a common defect he has known of people to use zip ties and their own nut/bolt system to remedy. Upon further internet research I have found thousands of complaints for the same exact problem, some owners with unfortunate outcomes. It is a blessing that I was not driving that day with my 2 young children, as I probably would have lost control of the vehicle! It is amazing to me that saturn has been allowed to sell such dangerous vehicles with no recall! More horrifying is that I found the part at napa auto parts for $19.95 and saturn insists on selling the entire assembly taking advantage of people who just don't know better. This reeks of scam to the criminal level!!!!!!!

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Transmission · AL · crash

Dt: the contact stated the gear shifter broke. She had it repaired by a mechanic. Then, the shifter broke again. The contact's vehicle was involved in an accident as a result of the failure. The aforementioned mechanic was coming to pick up the vehicle for repairs.

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Transmission · 21,132 miles · AL · crash

Dt: the contact stated gear shifter broke. She had it repaired by a mechanic. Currently, the shifter broke again. This resulted the contact's vehicle being involved in a crash. She spoke to a mechanic. He was coming to get the vehicle and repair it. She has not spoken to saturn or general motors.

Filed Sep 18, 2005 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · TX

5 speed transmission shifter connection inside console broke off causing car to come to a full stop in the middle of the road. Could not move car at all because shifter was no longer connected to the shifter cable. Transmission remained in neutral. Part turned out to be made of plastic and cost only $10 plus tax.

Filed Sep 5, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 96,910 miles · CA

Purchased the saturn sl1 in sept 24 of 2004 with 94,32 0miles. I had the oil changed that very same day. I 've kept up on all fluids and service religiousily. At 96910 miles the car would not go into 1st, 3rd or reverse without force. On 9/10/03 I had the clutch replaced and the slave cable. Then is when it started having problems overheating, mechanic did two diffrent diagnostic test both came back with no conclusions. The car still heats up everyday ,but I have no other car to drive. There is no power in the car now and the oil is sludge filled. I've purchased temperature sending units, both o2 sensors, thermostat, coolant,clutch,relays,etc...to try to solve the problem of the over heating. Pretty much it's a matter of time before I'm like the other 1996 saturn drivers who will have to pay the $ 1000.00-2000.00 to fix my head gasket that was a known factory defect. What can we do.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Transmission · LA

I was backing out of a parking spot when my shift went loose. My car was stuck in reverse. After removing the center console it was determined that my shifter bushing holding the cable to my shifter broke off. I contacted saturn, but they informed me this part is only part of a cable kit which sells for $169. Saturn will not sell the bushing alone. The cable is currently being held on with duct tape.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Transmission · 61,998 miles · FL

Plastic bushing that connects the shift lever to the manual transmission breaks whithout any warning, and leaves you without the ability toshift.this happened while pulling onto the interstate highway and almost caused an accident.

Filed May 6, 2004 · Transmission · 96,823 miles · KY

Differential pin in automatic transmission 1996 saturn sl2 (mp7 transmission) this pin works it's way loose and puts a hole in the front pump cover which inturn leads to fluid leaking and an expensive repair. This is the second time that this has happened to me.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · MI

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

Filed Jul 6, 2003 · Seats, Transmission · 46,500 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.