VehicleVerdict

1996 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 1996 Saturn SL has 37 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

37

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

SL transmission complaints by model year42 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 13 complaints1993: 28 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 42 complaints1996: 37 complaints1997: 25 complaints1998: 34 complaints1999: 23 complaints2000: 36 complaints2001: 20 complaints2002: 22 complaints
SL transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

DT: THE CONTACT STATED GEAR SHIFTER BROKE. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. CURRENTLY, THE SHIFTER BROKE AGAIN. THIS RESULTED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. SHE SPOKE TO A MECHANIC. HE WAS COMING TO GET THE VEHICLE AND REPAIR IT. SHE HAS NOT SPOKEN TO SATURN OR GENERAL MOTORS.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the 1996 Saturn SL transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.