VehicleVerdict

1999 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 1999 Saturn SL has 23 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

23

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

1

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

THERE ARE PINS HOLDING TOGETHER THE DIFFERENTIAL IN MANUAL AND STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS. THIS PIN GETS WORN OUT AND FALLS OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE DIFFERENTIAL GEARS TO EXPLODE OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING CHUNKS OF METAL TO FALL AND HIT THE PAVEMENT LEAVING HAZARDS ON THE ROAD WAY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 28, 2009 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1999 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 1999 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.