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.
1996 Saturn SL transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 37 of 37, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Manual transmission will not shift into gear, at times it must be shoved to go in to and out of reverse, first, and third gears. This problem is becoming worse and is at least remotely dangerous because it can take as much as 30 seconds or so to shift gears. This problem does not seem to be affected by any external source.
Manual transmission pops out of gear and grinds. Sometimes you can't get it into gear. All componets of the clutch are fine.
In attempting to shift car--fortunately while parked--the gear shift suddenly went loose in my hand. Disassembly reveals that the coupling at the base of the gear stick has a plastic clip which has broken. A call to saturn of honolulu produced the response that they were familiar with the problem as they have been "getting quite a few of those lately". The fix requires new "cables" as the plastic clip which broke is an integral part of the "cable"--which looks more like a bar translating the force of gear stick forward to the engine compartment. I am concerned that if this is happening to many vehicles as he stated it could repeat even after the cables are replaced. If this failure were to occur in traffic or on a hill it could leave the driver in the wrong gear or worse not in any gear and present a safety issue. I have digital pictures of the broken piece which I will be happy to e-mail.
Engine cut off, engine surged,tachometer bouces,replaced valve guides at 60000 miles, compresion still not correct, ck engine light always comes on, burns oil, 2 qts more than specs say. Seat belt light stays on even when in use.
After driving for a long period of time the vehicle slams into reverse when shifted into reverse, the dealer was unable to duplicate or repair the problem. Nlm
At 32,000 mile vehicle will not shift into reverse. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
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.
Squealing noise from engine area in rainy weather, dealer replaced the engine drive belt due to it being dry and cracked.
Suspected odometer roll back
Odometer failed.
Speedometer cable and plug failed.
Transaxle assembly failed. Qcaw
Car with warranty of 36,000 miles. Dealer would not honor warranty. What is normal life of a clutch in this type of car?
Head gasket cracked.
Transmission failed.
Speedometer failed.
Odometer failed.
Speedometer cable never failed to work, however noise was reported, and the dealer decided to replace the unit.
Transmission filter failed.
Transmission failed.
Speedometer cable failed.
Transmission heat gasket failed.
Odometer failed.
The clutch pedal detached due to a missing retainer clip. Could have caused loss of vehicle control.
Automatic transmission while engaged in drive rolls back on an incline, dealer said that is normal. Tt
Car will not hold in fifth gear when putting it in fifth gear it slips out . Tt
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Saturn SL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history