VehicleVerdict

1997 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 1997 Saturn SL has 25 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

25

Transmission complaints

9%

Share of year

0

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 8, 2003

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1997 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 25 complaints about the 1997 Saturn SL transmission — 9% 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.