1998 Saturn SL SL2 from North America - Comments

Got a 96 SL2 with 167K miles, no major issues (replaced alternator, radiator, will replace A/C compressor soon). Bought used in 2003 for $2600. Has been a great car.

I own a 1996 Saturn SL1 that has been mainly reliable. The only problem I had was a sensor that went bad in the engine. I took it to a mechanic who said the car was done and told me to scrap it. I took it to another guy, and he took it apart, found the bad sensor, and replaced it. The car has run good since. The main problem I had was the ceiling crumbled apart. I tore out the main ceiling and the headliner is still there. What can I do about this? What would I need to fix it myself?

Saturn SL2 2002 model -- at 35,000 miles it started bucking like mule when it shifted into 2nd and 3rd gears (automatic). Took it in to a Saturn dealer whom did repairs on the transmission -- 1,400.00.

After 1 week it started with slamming into reverse gear -- made it home -- but bucked like it did before -- the next morning phoned the dealer to return it but.. started the car, and lo and behold, a bright red puddle appeared under the front end of my car -- egads!!! I killed it and now it's bleeding all over my new driveway...

I'm very good with all maintenance - including the "disposable" rotors that are included with this model -- my dad worked for GM for many years and we bought GM vehicles, but after this piece of junk I may buy foreign -- hmmm a Hyundai with that ever appealing 100,000 mile warranty:)

I have 5 Saturn SL2's... 2 automatic, the rest manual:

1998 auto 325000 miles

1998 manual 224000 miles

1999 manual 121000 miles

2000 auto 101000 miles

2000 manual 98400 miles.

I have had 3 clutches replaced, 1 sunroof module (from the sunroof doctor... 0 problems for over 100k miles), 2 alternators, 2 tensioner pulleys. Total non-maintenance item repairs $1936.00 FOR ALL 5!

All cars have had oil changes at 3500 miles with Valvoline 5 - 30 and 1/2 quart of Lucas engine treatment. The automatic cars have had the transmission fluid changed every 25000 miles. The brake fluid and coolant in all cars have been flushed yearly.

Use compressed air to blow out the sunroof drain lines yearly... works wonders.

In my experience, the Saturn experience is very simple: if you maintain your cars properly, they will run forever. If, however, you behave as the overwhelming majority of Americans do, and do not maintain your cars properly, expect them to be unreliable.

Don't expect better reliability from your honda/toyota/mercedes, either. I have seen enough of them over the years that have suffered the consequences of being owned by maintenance-free idiots.

I bought brand new a 1998 SL2 Saturn that has 84,000 miles, and the only problems I have had is a fan motor replaced, but now my transmission is leaking very badly and the dome light does not work.

I am retired so I don't put a lot of miles on my car. I am true to having it serviced every 3,000 miles. I did have to have the headliner replaced this year. I was using the Saturn dealership up until 2 years ago, and they got so expensive to service my car that I had to find someone else.

Overall the car has performed good.

I have an 1996 SL2 AT ABS/trac with 235700 miles on it. Sole owner and maintain it according to the schedule or close to it. It's been very reliable. Changed the alternator once around 200K when it started whining (apparently is was about to die). Battery lasts about 5-6 years or so I've changed it twice now. My water pump just went out and got replaced. But yeah I've been lucky apparently or I just take good care of my car. I'm an mildly aggressive driver, like the "sports handling" but I don't overboard with it. Only complaint is that it's loud. Why can't small cars be nice and quiet like the bigger fancier cars? Any how I'm apparently lucky and got good parts on my saturn. 12 years, going strong, and still get 32+MPG the hilly Puget Sound area. Hopefully it'll last till the next gen cars (PHEVs etc) get all their wrinkles worked out and become more affordable.

Take care of your car and it'll take care of you.

I have a 1998 Saturn SL2, bought brand new in 1998. Had some mechanical problems as usual.

Had water pump replaced and other parts replaced as usual. Also had to have engine mount replaced.

Front door gaskets are also falling off. Superglue works for a little while. Otherwise, 256,000 miles later the car still works great. Trying to see how many miles I can add before junking car.

In 1997 I bought a brand new Subaru. At 100,000 miles had to have car towed to junk yard.

This particular car is great. Would love to have another just like it. Only problem is ceiling material is falling off like dandruff. Looks like a bunch of cats clawed at my ceiling. But, if this is my only problem, I have no complaints.

I do get regular oil changes and tune ups. I can't say we liked our 2000 LS200 and 2002 LS200 and now our 1998 SC. The 2000 LS broke down and had almost every part replaced The 2002 LS caught fire on the way to the dealer due to check engine light coming on. 1998 SC has a blown head gasket.

Note to GM: Don't send me an apology E-mail. All we ask is for a car we can trust and not shady dealers who troll the repair department and not cars that break down when you buy them. We also want a decent repair that lasts more than 90 days.

Your CEO should have traveled to DC in my 1998 SC and not a luxury corporate jet to beg for money. I'll bet his Saturn doesn't break down on the way home as our LS did or catch fire while driving it. I wonder what the mileage record is for a Saturn still on the road.

I have owned 3 Saturns in the 1996 to 1998 range. The first was a 96 bought around 99 or 2000. I drove it for years. It is still in the family and runs maintenance-free in spite of being driven by a 21 year old musician. The second (a 97) is no longer with us, it was rear-ended by a speeding motor home and would not operate at about 60% of its original length. (I was in it and not seriously injured.) The third is a 98 that I bought about a year ago. I drive it to work everyday and it has been totally maintenance free. It did start the infamous "clunk going into reverse" a few months back. I have found that the clunk can be avoided by giving it a couple of seconds after putting it in reverse before taking my foot off the brake. I plan to take a look at what is causing the clunk once the weather gets warmer. (I did check the motor mounts).

I have gotten excellent gas mileage with all 3 cars. I think these older Saturns are great little cars.

I'm very glad I discovered this site. A few days ago, my '97 Saturn (automatic) suddenly started to kick when shifting into 2nd and 3rd gears, as well as clunking into reverse. The odd thing is that the problem varies in intensity -- sometimes it shifts smoothly for a while, then it begins "bucking like a mule," as a previous writer described it. I'm really curious (and hopeful) about the solenoid diagnosis suggested by a couple of writers.

Meanwhile, my question is: can I just keep driving it like this, with the kicking, bucking, and clunking? Some of the posts make it sound as though that's the case -- that the problem doesn't necessarily get worse or really interfere with continuing to drive the car as usual. Is that true? With times being what they are, I hesitate to spend money if I can avoid it, and the last thing I want to do is try to buy another old car! Thanks for any advice...

I have a Saturn 1998 SL2. I'm also experiencing problems with the tranny and the jerking into reverse. I was considering getting the tranny rebuilt, but it's too much money.

I bought the car with 111,000 miles on it. It ran good for the first year that I had it, but now all of a sudden when going into second and third gear, it jumps. All the mechanics tell me that I need a new tranny. I only put 20,000 miles on this car. I don't know what's my next move?

I have a 1998 SL1 Saturn sedan that is in the garage today. I too have had the 2nd/3rd and reverse gear "clunking" noise and got that replaced at a considerable expense.

Also at approximately the same time, the engine was overheating and the transmission started acting up, the engine would rev and the car would only go 30 miles an hour. Again it was rather expensive and the car had only 80 000km on it.

Today it's in the garage for new struts, a tie rod, and there is a strange squeaking noise coming from the front end when the steering wheel turns.

Pretty much everything has been replaced on this vehicle, it has 130 000km on it now, one automatic window in the back doesn't work and the trunk release button is toast, but it doesn't have any rust on it and it gets me from point A to point B for considerably less than a new car payment.

I have a 1997 Saturn SL2 and it has been the best car I have ever owned. Yes its had its small problems. The rear windows broke, I think Saturn wanted over 167.00 bucks for new regulators. I took them apart and fixed them for free, just a little labor. The secret is to pull the panels off and lube the rails when they start slowing down.

My Saturn has 257,000 plus miles on it. It gets 33 miles to the gallon from the day I bought it until now.

But I am having the trans problem everyone seems to be having. But to all with the problem, most of you will not need a new trans. The valve body goes bad and you can find them on e-bay for 200.00 for rebuilt ones, and you are looking at around 3 hours labor to install. So all of you good luck with your Saturns. The ones that are looking at imports, be careful you might lose your job to someone overseas too.