| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Saturn S-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (50%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (15%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (15%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)
Other (3%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 470 repairs.
Saturn S-Series transmission repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (11%)
$500 - $999 (14%)
$100 - $499 (27%)
< $100 (49%)
Chart based on 37 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2002 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
124-horsepower 1.9L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 120040 mi | TRANSMISSION FAILURE/ DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS FAILED |
| 220000 mi US $35 |
Shifter cable broke. Known common problem for this model at high mileage. I pulled and purchased used replacement parts from DIY junkyard and replaced the part myself. |
2002 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
124-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 122000 mi | Check engine light came on traced to transmission selector switch. Dealer replaced switch under warranty. |
2002 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 201000 mi US $80 |
Clutch action weak. Replaced clutch master/slave unit. |
| 115320 mi C $660 |
Clutch slave cylinder replaced. Also had them install an exhaust flex pipe which I purchased elsewhere (cost included above). Later had to return, as the clutch was still not working properly. |
| 115320 mi C $367 |
Clutch Master Cylinder also replaced this time, as the clutch still did not work properly. Previous trip "missed' the fact that the clutch master cylinder also needed replacement. |
2002 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 130000 mi US $171 |
After changing radiator, the transmission coolant line rusted apart. I tried patching it and was unsuccessful. Had to change out transmission coolant/oil line from transmission to radiator. Car was using 1 quart of transmission fluid /100mi. |
2002 Saturn S-Series 4dr Coupe
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 102000 mi US $1500 |
Solenoids |
2001 Saturn S-Series
Engine not specified
| 104000 mi | Car sold in February because the transmission went out at 104,000 miles and I was told that is cost $3500 to repair. |
2001 Saturn S-Series 4dr Wagon
124-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 81840 mi | Transmission was failing for several months. No reverse as of mid May. |
2001 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
124-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 150000 mi US $1850 |
Rebuild tranny 60k miles. Change the fluid every year! This one was on me I'm pretty sure. Otherwise good...new starter and radiator...ok for 148K miles. |
2001 Saturn S-Series 4dr Coupe
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 92000 mi US $65 |
Passenger side axle broke in two. |
2000 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
124-horsepower 1.9L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 80000 mi US $60 |
Replace transmission fluid pressure solenoid in valve body. Bad solenoid was causing super hard shifting. |
2000 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 106000 mi US $105 |
Popping sound from left front wheel. R&R CV axle. Problem somewhat went away. Tie rod will need to be replaced soon. |
| 146000 mi US $75 |
Passenger side axle broke while driving. Replaced with new axle. |
2000 Saturn S-Series 4dr Sedan
100-horsepower 1.9L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 144700 mi US $400 |
1st threw a gear, 2nd leaked when tranny mount broke off because of pothole. 3/4 were bad rebuilt trannys, weren't driven enough to see if worked, current one needs torque converter, all have had range sensor problems and kicked in R |
1999 Saturn S-Series
Engine not specified
| 147200 mi US $1500 |
Transmission was broken and they pulled a JY trans and installed it in this car. The only problem is that the 3rd gear synchronizer doesn't work...JY did not give us a good part. |
| 110360 mi C $100 |
Transmission replaced. |
| 148000 mi US $500 |
line pressure solenoid valve had low resistance. Harsh shifts. Replaced with new solnoid valve. |
1999 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 104900 mi US $350 |
Manual shift linkage broke, car stuck in second gear. |
| 182000 mi US $50 |
The bushing attaching shifter cable to shifter broke off pretty common problem according to various sources. Bushing is not available separately from Saturn, however you can pick up a bushing from ebay. |
| 177000 mi US $20 |
Bushing that holds shift lever to shift cable end broke. Ordered and installed aftermarket part. |
1998 Saturn S-Series
Engine not specified
| 87300 mi US $60 |
Shifter bushing failed and was replaced. |
| 237000 mi US $500 |
Shift cables broke |
1998 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 210000 mi US $35 |
Shift linkage cable replaced. |
1998 Saturn S-Series 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 165000 mi US $300 |
Replaced both drive axles with rebuilt ones. One side was making the clicking noise. |
1998 Saturn S-Series 2-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 162000 mi US $950 |
High pressure valve in the transmission stuck, creating a very high pressure that had the transmission fluid pushing out past the transmission spin-on filter gasket. |
| 167500 mi US $355 |
Replaced passenger side inner and outer CV joints after outer CV joint boot failed. Was original |
| 108000 mi US $100 |
Car would occasionally take a while to shift into reverse. Changed valve body, all fixed. |
1997 Saturn S-Series
Engine not specified
| 188000 mi | Clutch cable worked on. Possibly done wrong the first time it was repaired, by a guy in the neighborhood in February 2009. CV boot replaced. |
1997 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 289000 mi US $30 |
Manual transmission was very difficult to get into gear and shift. Replaced transmission fluid with Dexron VI ATF. Manual transmission now shifts normally. |
1996 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 253000 mi US $600 |
Transmission shifting cable broke on road. Towed and had it replaced, solenoid valves for clutch and transmission were bad. Would cost $600 more repair. Scrapped car. |
1995 Saturn S-Series
Engine not specified
| 81000 mi US $40 |
Wires grounding and shorting out. Cleaned connections |
1995 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 187000 mi | Transmission had gotten very hard to shift. Mechanic said only fix would be the replace clutch. Sold car instead of putting $600 into it. |
1995 Saturn S-Series 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 170260 mi US $55 |
Replaces LP Solenoid. |
| 236900 mi US $1600 |
Automatic transmission was failing to settle into reverse and 2nd |
| 263000 mi | The valve body went, and that's why it got sold, (decided the repair was too expensive). |
1995 Saturn S-Series 2-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 164000 mi US $235 |
Replaced worn out valve body |
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Saturn models.
