Started my car, it ran a few seconds, then died. Before I could restart it, smoke started pouring out of the steering column and I smelled an electrical fire. I didn't start it again but found help to disconnect my battery. It's on it's way to the nearby saturn dealer who refuses to provide me with a loan car. I think this is a very unusual problem, and I've driven a lot of clunkers in the past without having to deal with anything like this.
1997 Saturn SL: harsh or hard shifting
5 of the 226 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
- 20022
- 20011
- 20005
- 19982
- 19975
- 19961
- 19953
What owners say
While driving at app. 45 MPH on a city road there was a loud clunking sound in the engine followed by a continuous rattle. I pulled off the road and turned off the vehicle. The serpentine belt had come off the pulley by 3/4 inch. I proceeded to get the belt so that it would not work itself off. I promptly went to the local exxon and pulled off the belt and put the car on a lift. After inspection it was noted that the alternator bracket..an extension of the engine block, had broken off cleanly. After consulting with the mechanics there, and 2 other ase certified mechanics, it was determined that the cause was a defect in the casting of the engine block. I contacted the local saturn dealership who was of no help. I will be having the braking tig welded back on monday, then driving to the dealership with pictures and documentation asking for reimbursement of the cost.
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.
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.
While driving on rough roads or making a turn around a corner consumer heard a clunking noise or something loose. Took to dealer , and they could not remedy the problem. *ak.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Saturn SL harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 1997 Saturn SL?
5 of 226 owner complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL (2%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Saturn SL?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Saturn SL
Seat belt 18Oil consumption 7Tire blowout 7Fuel pump 6Stalling 6Adaptive cruise 5Brake failure 5Won't start 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Saturn SL?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history