VehicleVerdict

2001 Saturn SL transmission problems

The 2001 Saturn SL has 20 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

20

Transmission complaints

15%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

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.

Related recalls

00V310000TransmissionOctober 12, 2000 · 65,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY. IF IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED, IT IS POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF PARKED VEHICLES.

Remedy

SATURN IS ASKING OWNERS AND RETAILERS TO PERFORM A FUNCTIONAL CHECK OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE PARK LOCK CABLE ASSEMBLY OPERATION, AND IF NECESSARY, TO HAVE THE CABLE ADJUSTED. IF OWNERS ARE NOT COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE FUNCTIONAL CHECK THEMSELVES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER PERFORM THIS INSPECTION FOR THEM.

What owners report

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GOING OUT ON MY 2001 SATURN SL1 (AUTOMATIC), WHICH ONLY HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. A SATURN SERVICE AGENT ACCIDENTALLY (I THINK) TOLD ME THAT THE VALVE BODY "TENDS TO GO OUT" IN THAT MODEL. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS VERIFIED THAT, AND IS REPEATEDLY REPAIRING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 8, 2005

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2001 Saturn SL have?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the 2001 Saturn SL transmission — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Saturn SL transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 00V310000.

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.