1995 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 1995 Saturn SL has 42 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

Transmission complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

SL transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

94V217000TransmissionNovember 8, 1994 · 20,518 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED, OR REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN "PARK." THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN OCCUR WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

CONSUMERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THE PARK LOCK CABLE. IF IT DOES NOT PERFORM CORRECTLY, DEALERS WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

What owners report

“TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS FROM HIGH TO 3RD OR LOW. CAUSING HIGH RPM AT HIGHWAY SPEED. SOMETIMES REQUIRES YOU TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO REGAIN NORMAL SHIFT SEQUENCE. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. SATURN SERVICE REPS SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE AND THERE IS NO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 28, 2003

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1995 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 1995 Saturn SL transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1995 Saturn SL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 94V217000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.