Vehicle Data Hub

1997 Saturn SL transmission problems

Owners reported transmission problems in 24 complaints for the 1997 Saturn SL, 8% of the complaints on file.

At a glance

Complaints
24 8% of this year's complaints
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
3 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

What the data shows

These complaints mention 3 injuries.

What owners wrote

While driving 65 MPH in first gear transmission shifted to fourth gear without warning, and consumer temporarily lost control of the vehicle. Consumer shifted vehicle to neutral, then back to first gear to regain control of the vehicle. Dealership mechanic tried to repair the vehicle, but was unable to resolve the problem. The occupants sustained muscles pulls, bumps, and bruises.

Reported at 44,409 miles, November 2003 Injury

I recently purchased a 1997 sl1 and on the 3rd day of owning it the shifter broke causing it to go limp. At the time I was on the 101 freeway stuck in traffic with my three children. I called my mechanic and he towed it to his shop for repairs. After making the necessary repair, he did a routine maintenance check. This was when he discovered the oil had water mixed in with it causing a white smoke escaping from the exhaust pipe.

Reported at 118,075 miles, April 2008

Other problems reported for the 1997 Saturn SL

Transmission problems in other years

Transmission problems across all Saturn models