7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,280
Average Mileage:
115,000 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. saturn should recall & fix (2 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
  3. stay away from dealership (1 reports)
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problem #4

Jan 092009

SL2 SL 1.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 170,000 miles

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 1-1/2 YEARS AND THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION I WILL HAVE TO INSTALL. GRANTED I PUT A USED TRANNY IN LAST TIME WHICH ONLY HAD 60K MILES ON IT. TALKING WITH SATURN AND THE SALVAGE YARDS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. LOVE THE GAS MILEAGE BUT OTHER THAN THAT IT'S A PIECE OF SH*T. CANT STOP THE VALVE COVER FROM LEAKING AND PUTTING OIL IN IT IS ANOTHER ISSUE I HAD TO REMOVE THE SPLASH BAFFLE INSIDE THE VALVE COVER TO GET OIL TO GO IN IT A ANYTHING BETTER THAN A SNAILS PACE. THIS IS MY SECOND AND LAST SATURN.

- twhite, Honesdale, PA, US

problem #3

Dec 192008

SL2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

I bought my Saturn in 2002 with 42,000 miles on it. It was the car I drove all through high school and college and then decided to move to FL. Drove it all the way to FL at 102,000 miles. No problem! On the way home for the holidays I was driving it home and started to experience a "bucking" feeling. It happened a few times then went away. 15 minutes later it started again while going 70 mph and something sounded like it "snapped". I pulled off the side of the highway to find all of my oil and transmission fluid pouring out from under my car. Not knowing what happened I had the car towed the rest of the way home. I came to find out that a bolt holding a rod running through the transmission became loose and sent the rod through the transmission putting a hole in the side of it explaining the fluids leaking on the side of the highway. I had to have the whole transmission replaced. $1,150 later I still love this car. It has been a great running car that has given me no problems. Saturns will run forever if you only take care of them! :)

- jgrilz, Wilkes-Barre, PA, US

problem #2

Mar 042007

(reported on)

SL2

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Another known factory defect the factory/dealership is unwilling to acknowledge and take care of. We have had our car serviced by the dealership since we purchased it & they have said these are known issues with Saturns but they are not covered by the factory.

- Ron K., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #1

Jul 162006

(reported on)

SL2

  • 141,000 miles

dealer diagnosis failure of malfunction

- Larry B., Little Mountain, SC, US