Within the past few months when I put the vehicle in reverse it jerks violently. This problem is not consistent. I attempted to have it looked at by the dealer they said they couldn't replicate the problem. Upon speaking to one of the associates at the dealer they said they think they know what it is ... Its a common problem but wait until the car does it regularly and it will cost approx $1200 to fix. This is a known problem and saturn/gm needs to do a recall on these transmissions.
Saturn SL jerking problems
20 of the 2,211 owner complaints about the Saturn SL describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical mileage
- 55,153
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20021
- 20013
- 20002
- 19993
- 19982
- 19971
- 19952
- 19944
- 19932
Often reported together
Stalling 3Hesitation 3Check engine light 2Transmission failure 1Tire blowout 1Slipping 1Premature wear 1Harsh shifting 1
What owners say
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.
I purchased the vehicle from a private dealer with an as-is no warranty back in august 2007. The vehicle had a little over 88,000 miles on it. Had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic and all major items appeared to be in good working order. Approximately 1 month later, the car came due for an oil change. I had the oil changed at approximately 90,000 miles. At approximately 94,000 miles, while driving on the interstate on november 21, 2007, the engine went bang. The car jerked violently and the oil light and check engine lights came on. I was going at approximately 75-80 MPH and there was no knocking heard prior to engine failure. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the interstate and noticed smoke billowing out of the engine compartment. Immediately called 9-1-1 to report my vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived and said the engine had not been on fire, but that the engine threw a rod through the block. The fire department asked about knocking prior and I told them there was none. In fact, a mechanic had just looked at it the day before. I recall that the change oil soon light had been coming on intermittently but never steady. The oil light also kept flickering but was never steady. The RPM's increased from 2500 to 3000 and returned to 2500. No previous history of problems reported by dealer. The vehicle was towed to northland community and technical college in east grand forks. The automotive mechanics looked at the engine and said it is totaled. Currently in the process of locating a new or used engine to replace.
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.
Driving on the highway with cruise control set at 65 MPH and cruise control just speed up about 10 MPH out of the blue. Causing the car to jerk and rpms to jump.
While driving at any speed vehicle jerk and vibrated uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to dealer for inspection numerous times. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
The vehicle brake rotor warp several times which caused vibration while braking. The dealer replaced the rotors. When the vehicle was moved from a stop the vehicle jerked forward. The vehicle also acts as if it want to stall when sitting idle. The dealer was unable to duplicate either concern. The radio light was inoperative therefore the dealer replaced the radio. *ak *cb
Transmision hesitates and jerks before going into any gear. Problem has existed for 3 months.dealer was notified, and found a faulty transmission valve.
Vehicle stopped moving while driving. Dealer notified and informed consumer that train axle had to be replaced. *ak vehicle would pop and jerk into gear at 40 MPH, dealer could not duplicate problem, dealer found valve body severely contaminated, torque converter metal contaminated, dealer replaced valve body and torque converter housing, replaced complete transaxle. Vibration experienced while driving over 65 MPH due to all four tires being out of balance. Consumer states there is a noise when braking.
Vehicle bucks when transmission shifts, jerks back and forth. Also, loses power when going uphill. Shifts into wrong gear while driving. Dealer cannot remedy.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles, equipped with automatic transaxles, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles were built with an improperly adjusted automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly. If improperly adjusted, it is possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed.
- Risk
- This condition increases the risk of a crash resulting from the unintended movement of parked vehicles.
- Remedy
- Saturn is asking owners and retailers to perform a functional check of the automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly operation, and if necessary, to have the cable adjusted. If owners are not comfortable performing the functional check themselves, they can have their dealer perform this inspection for them.
Recall number 00V310000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
- What is wrong
- The automatic transaxle park lock cable assembly was improperly adjusted making it possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed, or remove the ignition key with the shift lever in a position other than "park." this does not meet the requirements of fmvss 114, "theft protection."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: unintended vehicle movement can occur which could result in an accident.
- Remedy
- Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.
Recall number 94V217000 · Recall details
Power train
- What is wrong
- The transaxle valve assemblies were improperly machined. Vehicles may not properly engage in neutral or park, even though the gear selector indicates the vehicle is in neutral or park.
- Risk
- If the gear selector indicates the vehicle is in park orneutral, it could be in reverse or drive. If this happens, the car could startin reverse or drive, or might move unexpectedly, which may result in a vehiclecrash or injury to persons outside the vehicle, without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Replace the defective valve bodies.
Recall number 92V098000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saturn SL jerking
Which Saturn SL years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (4 complaints), 1999 (3 complaints) and 2001 (3 complaints).
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