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 2001 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2001 Saturn sl2 recently developed a sever 'buck' in the automatic transmission when it shifts. That is, when it changes gears it either slams into the next or hesitates then slams. Reverse is the most severe as it slammed so hard that it broke the muffler from its mount at the very rear of the vehicle. The fluid has been changed ahead of schedule on the transmission, and the oils changes have also been timely. I've read on several forums that this is not only symptomatic of the make and model of my car, but predominate in quite a few of the models in the Saturn family. I've since had the fluid changed to no avail of correcting the problem. The symptoms described are exactly synonymous with others posted elsewhere on electronic mediums such as here: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/saturn_trans.html. …
Only had the car for a couple of months - started having problems with the transmission..... Kept shifting real hard from 2nd to 3rd (automatic). Took it to our mechanic and said it was out of his hands and referred us to a transmission specialist. Had the car towed to them and once he looked it over it needed a new transmission!!!! Only had 60,000 miles - go figure. Valve body!! Wrote a letter to the Saturn corporate office about the problem to see what they could do and told us that we should have taken the car to a Saturn service station. We already were in the process of getting it repair, costing us $ 2,000.00!!!! I feel that Saturn should look into their customer's complaints and realize that there actually is a problem with this models transmission. This could lead to an injury or something more serious. I don't think Saturn would like to have that on their shoulders!! …
While driving to work this morning, my gear shifter just went "loose" and the car was stuck in gear without any ability to shift. Fortunately, I wasn't hit as I was crossing the road at 6:19 in the am and I was able to pull over safely into the emergency lane. The failure was the shift cable bushing had broken. Http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_80337.html will show more detailed comments from other consumers. Shouldn't something that can cause such a loss of control be made out of something a bit more durable than plastic and also be sold as an individual part and not a $250 assembly that costs another $250 to install? The part was ordered from Saturn and will be installed by a local aamcco transmission repair shop that was the closest place to my home. The incident occurred about 1 mile away from my house.
Saturn 2001 sl1, my girlfriend was driving the car and called me saying that it was knocking she only drove it around the block due to her being scared of the sounds. I then drove the car around to ensure that it was a transmission problem. The car has 97,000 miles on it and I just had the o2 sensor changed for an idle high issue. I also had to clean out the idle air control valve due to build up and faulty operation. I brought my car to aamco to ensure the transmission is taken care of properly. They have to rebuild the transmission replacing every part inside the casing. 2,480$ in the hole, so I better not have anymore issues with this car after this. Also the door lock gets stuck on the driver side, so you have to manually push over the leaver every time you exit the vehicle.
Tl 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Saturn sl1. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, he heard a loud noise and the vehicle started shaking excessively. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the transmission valve body was defective and needed to be replaced. The contact was awaiting repairs. The current and the failure mileages were 132,000. ....updated 12/03/12 updated 01/11/12
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.
Tl 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 was driving going about 55 when the car started to loose power I pushed on the gas and it went up to 5 RPM before kicking in the transmission then it kept doing that where the rmp had to go way up before kicking. I took it to the service department to have it look at but they could not find anything wrong. However it took them three times to find out about my brake problems.
The transmission started going out on my 2001 Saturn sl1 (automatic), which only has 53,000 miles on it. A Saturn service agent accidentally (I think) told me that the valve body "tends to go out" in that model. A local transmission specialist has verified that, and is repeatedly repairing transmissions on this model.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
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.
Transmission complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Saturn SL, 18% of the model year's 111 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Saturn SL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-310 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Oct 12, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Saturn SL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
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.