2001 Saturn SL transmission problems

Filed Nov 9, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 132,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 saturn sl1. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, he heard a loud noise and the vehicle started shaking excessively. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the transmission valve body was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was awaiting repairs. The current and the failure mileages were 132,000. ....updated 12/03/12 *bf updated 01/11/12

Filed May 16, 2011 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · NY

Saturn 2001 sl1, my girlfriend was driving the car and called me saying that it was knocking she only drove it around the block due to her being scared of the sounds. I then drove the car around to ensure that it was a transmission problem. The car has 97,000 miles on it and I just had the o2 sensor changed for an idle high issue. I also had to clean out the idle air control valve due to build up and faulty operation. I brought my car to aamco to ensure the transmission is taken care of properly. They have to rebuild the transmission replacing every part inside the casing. 2,480$ in the hole, so I better not have anymore issues with this car after this. Also the door lock gets stuck on the driver side, so you have to manually push over the leaver every time you exit the vehicle.

Filed Jan 4, 2009 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · NJ

Only had the car for a couple of months - started having problems with the transmission..... Kept shifting real hard from 2nd to 3rd (automatic). Took it to our mechanic and said it was out of his hands and referred us to a transmission specialist. Had the car towed to them and once he looked it over it needed a new transmission!!!! Only had 60,000 miles - go figure. Valve body!! Wrote a letter to the saturn corporate office about the problem to see what they could do and told us that we should have taken the car to a saturn service station. We already were in the process of getting it repair, costing us $ 2,000.00!!!! I feel that saturn should look into their customer's complaints and realize that there actually is a problem with this models transmission. This could lead to an injury or something more serious. I don't think saturn would like to have that on their shoulders!! The more complaints about the transmission problem the better and hopefully they will make this a recall for the safety of the consumers.

Filed Nov 7, 2008 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · IN

2001 saturn sl2 transmission will slam when placed in reverse replaced fluids and let run in reverse position with emergency brake set and backed up against a tree to try and clean valve body - no success.

Filed Sep 3, 2008 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · GA

While driving to work this morning, my gear shifter just went "loose" and the car was stuck in gear without any ability to shift. Fortunately, I wasn't hit as I was crossing the road at 6:19 in the am and I was able to pull over safely into the emergency lane. The failure was the shift cable bushing had broken. Http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_80337.html will show more detailed comments from other consumers. Shouldn't something that can cause such a loss of control be made out of something a bit more durable than plastic and also be sold as an individual part and not a $250 assembly that costs another $250 to install? The part was ordered from saturn and will be installed by a local aamcco transmission repair shop that was the closest place to my home. The incident occurred about 1 mile away from my house.

Filed Jun 25, 2008 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · NJ

Transmission.

Filed Jun 3, 2008 · Transmission · 127,000 miles · IN

My 2001 saturn sl2 recently developed a sever 'buck' in the automatic transmission when it shifts. That is, when it changes gears it either slams into the next or hesitates then slams. Reverse is the most severe as it slammed so hard that it broke the muffler from its mount at the very rear of the vehicle. The fluid has been changed ahead of schedule on the transmission, and the oils changes have also been timely. I've read on several forums that this is not only symptomatic of the make and model of my car, but predominate in quite a few of the models in the saturn family. I've since had the fluid changed to no avail of correcting the problem. The symptoms described are exactly synonymous with others posted elsewhere on electronic mediums such as here: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/saturn_trans.html. The symptoms have not resolved and it is obvious that saturn is aware of the problem but has not been compelled to perform any repair recompense to the consumer for what statistically must be a faulty part known as the power control valve. I realize that this appears to be more of a mechanical failure than a safety recall, as a transmission that goes on the mend can hardly precipitate a high-speed crash resulting in a fatality that would spur an immediate investigation. However, with reports of motorists being stranded, or the possibility of a severe 'bucking' while being tailgated, I would hope swift investigative action would be warranted prior to anymore consumers falling prey to an unstable vehicle purchase.

Filed May 2, 2008 · Transmission · 121,842 miles · NJ

Dealer has not been notified as of yet. When transmission is switched to reverse, the vehicle gives a very strong jolt backwards, like a hard-knock engaging of the gears, so strong I am afraid it could cause a whip-lash someday.

Filed Mar 24, 2008 · Transmission · 8,050 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn sl2. The contact stated that the vehicle would surge and jerk when the gears were shifted. The mechanic inspected the vehicle twice but was unable to diagnose the failure on the first occasion. On the second occasion, they stated the transmission failed and recommended a replacement. The current mileage was 102,000 and failure mileage was 8,050.

Filed Nov 27, 2007 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saturn sl2. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and slammed into gear. The dealer stated that the motor mount failed and they changed the transmission fluid. Approximately ten days later, the failure recurred. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and he stated that the lining inside the transmission separated, which allowed debris to enter the gears and valves. As of november 27, 2007, the mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 74,000.