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 1999 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
There are pins holding together the differential in manual and standard transmissions. This pin gets worn out and falls out of place causing the differential gears to explode out of the bottom of the transmission causing chunks of metal to fall and hit the pavement leaving hazards on the road way and in the process causes total loss of control by locking up both front tires on the vehicle. I was a victim of this and almost struck a vehicle head on and in the process hit several obstacle before the vehicle cam to rest in a ditch. The vehicle is now at aamco transmission in tulsa OK. All this information about the pins are coming from them. This happens in all 1999 Saturn SL and sl2 vehicles with the standard and automatic transmissions. My vehicle is the 1999 Saturn sl2 with the sohc 5 speed transmission. If you take a look at complaints there are many bearing the same problems.
The automatic transmission failure in 5000 miles [no slipping or shuddering fluid not burnt and level has never changed] just quit like that with no warning!! My delemia help!! =I have purchased this vehicle used from the ontario Saturn the car appeared to be as new- even the complete engine compartment not 1 trace of dust and it had 40,202- miles on it = I ask how it could be so clean and new looking =reply- that the cars are maintained by there! Service dept. Car has 45,724 miles on it now and it has no reverse they want 550.00 for labor and 3400.00 for the automatic trans axle I paid $ 8798.00 5 months a go and have no idea that a economical car could be so ---- = ---- expensive!! Plus there charging 18 % on my loan so ive only paid 186.00 off the balance of the loan cant afford to fix it . Dont know how it happened but my payments are still due ! …
Tl* the contact owns 1999 Saturn sl1. The contact was driving 45 MPH when the shift cable fractured and caused the vehicle to shift into neutral. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle. On a later date, the contact applied the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle. When he returned, the emergency brake had independently disengaged. The contact discovered that the emergency brake button was defective. The contact was able to order the necessary part from the dealer to make repairs himself. The contact was concerned that had he been parked on a hill, the vehicle could potentially have rolled away. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Consumer called complaining while driving the vehicle at 30mph, starting hear a noise from under the hood. Vehicle was took immediately to the mechanic and found problem with defected front axle. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts consumer was told human error, seal wasn't packed with enough grease at the factory. Consumer felt that she should've been reimbursed for half of the out of pocket repairs which totaled $240.30. Consumer was informed that this failure is rear and happens in older model vehicles and even that is rear.
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.
My manual transmission 1999 Saturn sl2 1.8 ltr sohc was driving down the road and the shifter went limp. I was almost hit from behind. I found it was the cheap plastic shifter bushing which attaches the shift cable to the stick. I don't have the money to buy the entire cable, Saturn does not sell the bushing only, went to a junk yard and got the part for a dollar.
Clutch starts slipping suddenly. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted, and were aware of the problem, but there was nothing they could do. While in cruise control at 5mph vehicle will accelerate to 8mph.
I wish the state had more stringent lemon laws. I will have had to bring my car in for repairs 5 times now, and I feel that is ridiculous for a car ive only had for 6 months. There are problems that exist now and have reoccurred or probably will. Saturn should definitely produce but better cars if they want people to buy them... I certainly won't buy another one or any GM product. I have not contacted Saturn directly because I know that they won't do anything about it as I had dealings with another Saturn. Furthermore, bringing the car to the dealer seems to be a hassle. I have to go out of my way to get my "lemon car" fixed repeatedly for minor problems which are really annoyances. No defect mentioned in summary.
While pulling inside of the garage without warning the vehicle shifted into reverse. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle. The driver contacted a mechanic and the mechanic came over to inspected the vehicle. The mechanic informed the driver that the asm-m cable lever for the transmission needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.
Second occurrance: 7-26-99 reported trans. Bucks when accelerating. Transaxle-reset adaptives, said nothing wrong. 08- 25-99 lost reverse gear again..dealer refused to supply paperwork for work performed. Said not in computer yet. After 3 calls, mailed hand-written work-order post-marked 9-10-99. To date have not received computer printout.
Transmission complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Saturn SL, 12% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saturn SL transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 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 1999 Saturn SL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.