2000 Saturn SL transmission problems

Filed Sep 12, 2014 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · NJ

Roll pin on retainer in transmission differential sheered off causing the retaining pin to wear through the bell housing and seize transmission. A roll pin is like using a rivet to hold a very important mechanical component together. This is another horrible gm design. This is an accident waiting to happen. $2300 later to replace the transmission.

Filed Sep 5, 2014 · Transmission · 44,500 miles · WI

Just wanting to let you know that when the car is moving or still, I can move the shift from d to n without having to press the button to unlock the shifter. Same can be said from n to r. I've never tried it when it's moving, but when the car is stopped, I can push it from d to r. That would be quite interesting to try if it were someone else's car. This was first noticed about a year ago.

Filed Oct 19, 2009 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · IL

My 2000 saturn sl1 sometimes has reverse & sometimes not & to get it to go into reverse you have to give it a lot of gas & it has went in reverse at low & high speeds. This could be dangerous.

Filed Oct 12, 2009 · Transmission · IN

The gear shift can be operated without the key in the ignition and not running.

Filed Jun 9, 2008 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn sl2. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact heard a loud bang. The vehicle shook and smoke appeared under the hood. There was a lot of fluid on the ground, and the vehicle had to be towed to the contact's residence. He found a hole in the transmission and called the dealer and manufacturer; however, they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 07/29/08 *bf updated 08/01/08

Filed Nov 21, 2007 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 saturn sl2. While attempting to shift gears at 10 MPH, the gears became stuck and could not shift into neutral. The failure nearly caused a crash. The dealer stated that a new transmission was needed; however, the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v310000 (power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start switch). The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 56,000. Updated 12/07/07

Filed Apr 3, 2007 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · IN

My car when put into reverse, makes a loud bang noise and slams hard into gear. I am told I need a new transmission. Many complaints on the same exact situation all over the internet.

Filed Jul 24, 2006 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · OH

1. I purchased my 2000 saturn sl1 from a used car dealer about 2 months ago. After I started the car and shifted into reverse. For a few seconds nothing happened and I thought I was either against a bump in the pavement or it was still in neutral. I gave it more gas. Suddenly, the car slammed into reverse and I nearly lost control and backed into a car. I checked the transmission fluid level to see if more was needed. It was full. A couple days late, it did it again. Now it does it about every third reverse shift. Also the service engine soon light came on. So, I checked the computer codes and they indicated a transmission problem. I got on the internet to see what had to be done to fix it. It turns out many saturn owners are having the same problem with their transmissions. There is even a service bulletin, the federal safety agency item number: 612478 this is very expensive repair to the transmission to fix a valve problem. Many saturn owners can't afford such a repair. So, they drive the car at the risk of backing into something or someone. Saturn obviously knew something was wrong a long time ago and didn't recall the vehicles.

Filed Dec 20, 2005 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · PA

I am the third complaint with the same problem: intermittently, when placed in park or neutral or while driving, the vehicle will RPM 3,500-4,000. I have taken to dealer and private mechanics and no answer has been given. Nothing shows on diagnostic computer. When engine revs, I will place in park, turn car off, and start again. Sometimes this does the trick. This is very dangerous as vehicle will try to drive when waiting at a stop light and foot is on the brake. Please help.

Filed Aug 7, 2005 · Transmission · 37,100 miles · CA

Reverse gear had been acting funny (not going into reverse and allowing the car to slide forward before grabbing). Grinding sound was noted, took car into aaa approved facility, they could not find anything wrong. Finally reverse gear just quit (as I was trying to parallel park) and "service engine soon" light came on. This whole process took about a month from start to finish. Took it back to aaa approved facility who put in on the computer and found various codes p0300, p0732, p1599, p0732, p1599. The mileage on this car is 37,134. I bought it new in 2000. Called saturn in stevens creek, was told that I needed to bring it to a saturn dealership. Explained to them that the nearest one is approx. 2 hours from where I live and I was not comfortable driving a car with transmission problems that distance.(2nd into 3rd gear was now very rough shifting). Was told that was the only option. This is my only car so this was not an option at all. Checked around this area to find someone to fix it. Aamco will no longer repair transmissions in saturn cars because they are so unreliable. Found a repair shop through word of mouth who said they will fix it for $1,700.00. They did research and found a bulletin (# 00-t-24) which deals exactly with this problem and suggests how to fix it. In the bulletin (of which I have a copy) it states "this condition may be caused by an improperly machined surface finish on the area of the input shaft hub where the seals ride. Improper surface finish on the input shaft hub allows cross leakage between the 1st and 2nd/ rev clutches". This is the fault of saturn and they should pay for any repairs. In addition to the $1,700.00 for repairs, I am having to rent an economy car for a week at a cost of $163.58. Again, this car has only 37,134 miles on it.