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 1996 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Unsatisfactory responses from Saturn customer service; repairs that should be covered per california s lemon law for our 1996 Saturn sl1 with only 46K miles. Rote to GM & Saturn ceo's. They lie and do not stand behind their crappy product. We will never buy American again!per my recent conversations with Saturn customer service, there has been absolutely no effort of goodwill to reimburse and fix the below aforementioned mechanical problems from the inferior materials used in building our Saturn vehicle. The failures we need reimbursement for are: 1.starter replacement: $211.08 + 45.17 = $256.25; we were broken down and had to get fixed immediately at a pep boys shop, 2.new interstate battery: $108.15; we were broken down and had to get fixed immediately at a chevron shop, 3.transmission gasket parts and labor: $ ~150. (tbd); already paid and in Saturn database; trans. …
Dt: the contact stated gear shifter broke. She had it repaired by a mechanic. Currently, the shifter broke again. This resulted the contact's vehicle being involved in a crash. She spoke to a mechanic. He was coming to get the vehicle and repair it. She has not spoken to Saturn or general motors.
On his way to work on sept. 16, 2008, my boyfriend heard a strange sound and then lost use of 2,4,r gears. In morning rush hour traffic on us 1, he continued to work with the use of 1,3 gears. We troubleshoot online and through friends with mechanical experience and temporarily used a zip tie confirming that the defective part was the shift cable bushing. Local stores do not carry the part as it is carried by dealer only. Saturn does not sell the part without the entire assembly (manual transmission shift cable bushing with clip part # 14043) and has priced without installation at $198.00. The parts manager did not even ask me for the model, said he has plenty in stock and that there is a minimum 3 hour installation with labor priced at $95/hr. He also stated that as this is a common defect he has known of people to use zip ties and their own nut/bolt system to remedy. …
Purchased the Saturn sl1 in sept 24 of 2004 with 94,32 0miles. I had the oil changed that very same day. I 've kept up on all fluids and service religiousily. At 96910 miles the car would not go into 1st, 3rd or reverse without force. On 9/10/03 I had the clutch replaced and the slave cable. Then is when it started having problems overheating, mechanic did two diffrent diagnostic test both came back with no conclusions. The car still heats up everyday ,but I have no other car to drive. There is no power in the car now and the oil is sludge filled. I've purchased temperature sending units, both o2 sensors, thermostat, coolant,clutch,relays,etc...to try to solve the problem of the over heating. Pretty much it's a matter of time before I'm like the other 1996 Saturn drivers who will have to pay the $ 1000.00-2000.00 to fix my head gasket that was a known factory defect. What can we do.
1996 Saturn sl1's have a problem referred to as "delayed engagement in reverse. When you put the car in reverse it will not move, causing potential problems. This is due to the valve body on the transmission wearing excessively, allowing automatic transmission fluid to flow around a poppet before engaging. Saturn is aware of this problem and so are the transmission repair places. Saturn refuses to acknowledge this problem though they have issued a service bulletin for the problem and at about $1000 per repair per vehicle Saturn has a vested interest in not acknowledging the problem.
Plastic bushing that connects the shift lever to the manual transmission breaks whithout any warning, and leaves you without the ability toshift.this happened while pulling onto the interstate highway and almost caused an accident.
5 speed transmission shifter connection inside console broke off causing car to come to a full stop in the middle of the road. Could not move car at all because shifter was no longer connected to the shifter cable. Transmission remained in neutral. Part turned out to be made of plastic and cost only $10 plus tax.
Dt: the contact stated the gear shifter broke. She had it repaired by a mechanic. Then, the shifter broke again. The contact's vehicle was involved in an accident as a result of the failure. The aforementioned mechanic was coming to pick up the vehicle for repairs.
Differential pin in automatic transmission 1996 Saturn sl2 (mp7 transmission) this pin works it's way loose and puts a hole in the front pump cover which inturn leads to fluid leaking and an expensive repair. This is the second time that this has happened to me.
In attempting to shift car--fortunately while parked--the gear shift suddenly went loose in my hand. Disassembly reveals that the coupling at the base of the gear stick has a plastic clip which has broken. A call to Saturn of honolulu produced the response that they were familiar with the problem as they have been "getting quite a few of those lately". The fix requires new "cables" as the plastic clip which broke is an integral part of the "cable"--which looks more like a bar translating the force of gear stick forward to the engine compartment. I am concerned that if this is happening to many vehicles as he stated it could repeat even after the cables are replaced. If this failure were to occur in traffic or on a hill it could leave the driver in the wrong gear or worse not in any gear and present a safety issue. …
Transmission complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Saturn SL, 13% of the model year's 287 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Saturn SL transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1996 Saturn SL, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Saturn SL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 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.