Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1995 Saturn sl2 manual transmission shifter cable bushing failure while backing out of driveway, pushed in clutch to shift from reverse to first gear and heard a "pop". Transmission went into some gear (not first), engine stalled and gear shift lever was loose and floppy. Coasted around corner and parked next to curb. Repair not yet made. Disassembled center console to expose shifter mechanism and found bushing on lower shift cable had failed and was in 3 pieces. Contacted dealership for availability and price of bushing and was told bushing was integral to cable and entire cable must be replaced. Cost of parts $197.10 plus tax. Will probably end up drilling through the ball and bolting the cable to the shift lever although this May fatigue shifter cable and ultimately require cable replacement. …
The vehicle has caused me nothing but problems, it eats oil without any sign of where it is going. The auto belt tightener is not working and cost an arm and a leg to fix. Sunroof broke without any notice or cause, the fan switch never did operate correctly, now it is shifting real hard all the time while your driving, once it is warmed up. This vehicle is definitely a lemon. Ak scc ***dimsii ivoq posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****744336
Having a hard time getting car into gear, especially from park to drive. Finally, the service engine light went on. Took to a car service center where they connected to a diagnostic machine that resulted in a bad transmission that needs to be replaced. Car has a little over 67,500 miles. The car is a 1995 Saturn sl1.
The transmission slips between 3rd and 4th gear. When we took it to Saturn they told us there was a problem with 3rd gear and that it would cost $1600. To fix. We went for a second opinion at the hemet ca. Aamco. They veified the problem and "repaired" it for $1000. At the time it satified us as Saturn told us it would be $1600. Just to look and more if the problem was big. Unfortunately the transmission has begun to slip again. We haven't called aamco yet. We decided to contact you to see if this is an inherent problem with the Saturn vehicle! We got the impression from the aamco people that this wasn't an uncommon problem that they had run up against. I am somewhat disatisfied with the Saturn car and people as we've had to do a lot more work on the car than expected and definately more than they lead you to believe in their advertising. Shame on me for beleiving them! …
Locator switch on sunroof failed causing cables to fail and guides to break. Sunroodf is rarely used this failure should not occur. Cost of parts is way overpriced. Sunroof repair is estimated at $650.00 plus tax. Valve body assembly on transmission is failling as transmission delays and shifts hard through the gears. Part controls the flow of transmission fluid to the gears.
Transmission down shifts from high to 3rd or low. Causing high RPM at highway speed. Sometimes requires you to pull off the road and restart the engine to regain normal shift sequence. Problem has persisted for more than a year. Saturn service reps say they can not duplicate and there is no problem. Not true. Number of failures below represents year long period.
I am not the owener of this car-but went to purchase it from an individual selling this car. Car's odometer read(on feb. 20, 01) about 58,000 miles on it and owner said it was neither replaced or broken. However in 1999 the car was quoted by carfax.com that the mileage was logged at over 69,000 miles.
Transmission drops into second gear from both third and high at various speeds, causing high engine rpms and rapid speed reduction and handling difficulties controlling the vehicle when it happens on curves. Service notified numerous times, but could not find cause.
The transmission internittently fails to upshift. The speed at which this occurs is typically 25-35 MPH. We brought the car to Saturn of sterling (46980 harry byrd hwy, sterling, va 20164, [phone]) 6 times under warranty and they failed to find any.
Driver is able to move the gear shift lever in any positon without applying the brakes with or without the ignitin being on. Problem was reported to the dealership. Problem was corrected at owner's expense. Please provide any further information.
Related recalls
Power train › Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
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."
Remedy: Consumers are being asked to inspect the park lock cable. If it does not perform correctly, dealers will make the necessary adjustments.
Transmission complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1995 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1995 Saturn SL, 11% of the model year's 355 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Saturn SL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 94V-217 (pedal/hand lever(motorcycle), Nov 8, 1994). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1995 Saturn SL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.