1993 Saturn SL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 15%of 175 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1993 Saturn SL, 15% of the 175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After turning the vehicle on and placing the gear in park or neutral vehicle will jumped forward, dealer examined the vehicle, and found that the valve body assembly had to be replaced. The consumer owns four other Saturn vehicles. Three of them have also had their valve body assemblies replaced. All of the vehicles had under 50000 miles on their odometer's.”
NHTSA complaint #10053882, filed 2004-02, 35,000 miles“I have a very difficult time putting car in reverse, I beleive because of the transmission...the reverse gear takes a while to kick-in . There is a loud noise (coming from the transmission). The dealer was notified when I was under my 60day warranty about the reverse problem (there was no noise yet) and he took it for a ride and said nothing was wrong (it doesn't happen everytime). Now, I called him and said that this had happened to the transmission and he says he doesn't remember ..and the warranty is up.”
NHTSA complaint #717061, filed 2000-01“The transmission shifts gears harshly & erratically. It's not only uncomfortable but dangerous as well. Saturn is aware of the problem because I have a copy of a technical bulletin(#93-t-22a) that they issued which describes the problem. I wrote to the president of Saturn (don hudler) in april 1997. The reply I received from his office was that since the warranty is up, the need for repairs is unfortunate and they refused to reimburse me $750. They also said that just because they issue a technical bulletin doesn't mean that the car has any problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #700205, filed 1998-10“While traveling at 65 MPH transmission blew up, and some pieces flew into car*ak consumer states transmission is a 5 speed manual, the differential within the transmission failed causing the internal parts to violently puncture the transmission case making the vehicle difficult if not impossible to control, the transmission shifter was jammed and unable to shift gears.”
NHTSA complaint #894798, filed 2001-08“Engine block has split near the location of alternator ,causing it to be lose and cut into the belt. The block busted upon starting the vehicle. Transmission has a problem when shifting, and Saturn has told me they can't find anything odd about it. Nor is there anything odd about the engine overheating during barely warm days in the summer. Possibly connected.”
NHTSA complaint #716817, filed 2000-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 22 | 17% |
| 2001 | 20 | 18% |
| 2000 | 35 | 24% |
| 1999 | 22 | 12% |
| 1998 | 33 | 20% |
| 1997 | 23 | 10% |
| 1996 | 37 | 13% |
| 1995 | 40 | 11% |
| 1994 | 35 | 12% |
| 1993 | 26 | 15% |
| 1992 | 13 | 11% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1993 Saturn SL
36 complaintsEngine cooling
30 complaintsSeats
21 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
19 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 Saturn SL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology