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Saturn Transmission Problems

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Saturn • Aura • Vue --- • Engine problems • Transmission problems • Airbags • Ignition interlock • Oozing goo • Miscellaneous woes • The Shamrock Saturn --- Recalls/News • Penske Scraps Plan to Buy Saturn; Brand Likely to Die • Penske Hopes to Drive Saturn Off GM's Lot • Saturn Climbing the Roadway to Heaven • Saturn Aura Gets a 5,000-Mile Road Test • NHTSA Probes Timing Chain Again • NHTSA Recalls Saturn L Series • NHTSA Probes Saturn Timing Chain Failures • Saturn Astra Named Safest Car Under $25,000 • Saturn Outlook Gets Top Marks from Consumer Reports • Saturn Targets Toyota, Honda for Side-by-Side Tests • Saturn Sky Prices Go Sky High • Saturn VUE Recalled • L-Series Cars Recalled

Aaron of Sacramento CA (08/08/07)
I bought my car Saturn Ion 03 brand new. Ever since I bought it there has been nothing but trouble. The car skip gears since the first 3 months, took it to the dealership and of course they don't see anything wrong with it. It makes a loud revving sound when you start it, started about 2 years ago. The recalled signals lights were replaced but the left one is out again. The trunk doesn't want to close. The car did shut off on me twice in the last 4 years. I can't believe I've had so much trouble with it.

Karen of Greensburg, PA August 2, 2007

Karen of Greensburg PA (08/02/07)
I own a 2001 sl2 Saturn. It has 49,800 miles on it. It has a buck in the transmission. I took it to Cochran Saturn of Monroeville because Saturn told me they decide on helping with repairs on out of warranty vehicles on a case by case basis. They told me it would be approx. 1300 and didn't even consider covering it or helping with the cost. I see that this is a common repair problem with my year of Saturn. What can be done for all of us who have experienced this. I do not have the money to repair my car. They also said I needed a idler pulley and belt. The belt would be 26 if I replaced it with the pulley if not the belt would be 70! How can the price change on the same part? Perhaps someone can take a closer look at these issues.

Lucy of Morgantown, WV July 19, 2007

Lucy of Morgantown WV (07/19/07)
I drive a Saturn 2002 SL 2. I had a few days for the last few weeks where the car was shifting hard into the gears. I thought it was related to the transmission and made need new fluid.

On my way back from Pittsburgh yesterday the car really started jumping each time it shifted. So I had my father tow me to my house. So my brother and my dad look at the car, and see that the last time I had my transmission cleaned that they didnt clean it. They just put more liquid in. They then took off the filter and found metal shavings and a foul burnt smell.

The transmission fluid was drained and the new filter was put on. However the filter didnt seal. Even though according to Advanced Auto Parts that is the correct filter for my car. I had my brother go and take back the wrong filter and get more transmission fluid. He installs it and it too does not seal. So now I have a car I can't drive any where because I can't find the correct filter.

The part should be easy enough to replace but some how it has been a nightmare. Does any one know where or who I get the needed part for? I hate to think that my car is falling apart after 5.5 years and 78,000 miles, and if the filter can not be fixed or replaced I don't know what I will do. I guess I will have to consider trading it in.

Diana of Chapel Hill, NC June 28, 2007

Diana of Chapel Hill NC (06/28/07)
I have a 2001 Saturn with 45,000 miles on the car. The transmission went out completely on my way back from vacation when I pulled off to get gas. The car made the telltale grinding sound and wouldn't accelerate. The car is in the shop now and I expect the bill to be 2200. This is my second Saturn. I had been a very happy Saturn owner and was considering Saturn for my next car but now I know that I will never buy another Saturn.

Melissa of West Chicago, IL June 7, 2007

Melissa of West Chicago IL (06/07/07)
My 2002 SL1 started jumping or lurching into gear as I accelerated and then when I would put into reverse. I took it to Saturn dealer who of course found multipl things wrong. The first being some module and then transmission problem. Was going to cost be min. of 1300 for them to just take the trans apart. Took it to Aamco for 2nd opinion and they proceeded to tell us that this is inherent problem in SL1s. SL2s (which we alos have one of those 2001) has different trasnmission than SL1. I have taken excellent care of this car for 5.5 years with about 75ooo miles. Aamco is repairing for about half the cost of Saturn. Also independent car repair shop said exact same thing about SL1 transmission problems. After reading all these other people's complaints--why has a class action law suit not been filed???? I too believe Saturn is aware of this and never issued a recall or warning to customers. At very least they shoudl call all of them in and inspect and those that do have a problem--should be fixed at no charge to customer. It gets even better--service shop offered to have Saturn salesman call us to see what car would be worth on a trade in!!! Can we say SCAM? Like I would even consider buying another Saturn at this point!!

Makidah of Detroit, MI April 16, 2007

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