Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Saturn LS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am listing this vehicle identification number to fulfill your request on the safety complaint form, however I believe what I am about to share is an issue that applies to all vehicles on the road today, regardless of their source of motive power, if they have a hydraulic-brake system. I believe the current federal specifications for brake lines are too susceptible to corrosion, and although the materials brake lines are made of on most vehicles, probably meet Federal standards. Federal standards for this and other vehicle parts should evolve more frequently, sensitive to modernization and field experience. Corrosion-resistant brake lines are available and Federal statutes should be upgraded to specify they be constructed of more durable material and also be positioned in vehicles to increase their ease of replacement. …
When the vehicle was placed in reverse the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle continue to move although the driver kept pushing the brake pedal. As a result of the brake failure the consumer vehicle hit a parked vehicle which caused damage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they could not determine the cause of the problem. The consumer believes that the ABS system May be the cause of the problem.
I own a 2000 Saturn LS. When the car had 40,000 miles, I noticed that the front brake rotors where severely worn down (.90 inches) even though the brake pads had more than 50% life left. I called the dealer and they said that the rotors on the LS have been failing earlier than normal and that when the pads wear out, they also replace rotors. Rotors aren't suppose to wear out unless the pads wear out and the metal backing destroys the rotors. Most cars on the highway never have a rotor change for their entire life. Saturn will not do anything under warranty. Now, I have 60,000 miles on the car which is driven by my wife who drives very slow and brakes lightly and the rotors have lost over .120 inches which puts the rotor tolerance outside the safety limit by GM. Again, rotors are not suppose to wear to this extreme. This could be a serious safety problem. Don't you agree? …
I had just gone to the gas station to fill up my 2000 Saturn lw2 when I was about two blocks from the gas station. I was right around the corner from my house, and had just turned right onto a street with a hill. Suddenly, my car started sputtering so I immediately tried to pull over. I wasn't completely out of the street when I suddenly lost all power brakes and power steering going down the hill at 25 miles per hour. I couldn't stop the car so I put it in park, which stopped it instantly, causing my neck to jerk, which has been sore from whiplash for the past four days so far. I had the car towed to the mechanic who found bits of my timing belt all through the motor, which blew the entire engine. After hearing that it would be over $3,000 for a used engine installed, we've been trying to determine our next move, financially.
Currently the blower motor for the heater/defroster is not working. I have had many many problems with this car, inparticular with the brakes and steering. The rack and pinion was repaired twice. I have had brakes replaced twice, and recently the brake drums, rotators and pads. I have had the power steering pump repaired and from time to time need to have the steering wheel lubricated when it starts to make noise again. I am wondering if I am the only one with these problems or are others with this same car having the same problems. I do not feel safe when I am driving this car. I have brought it to the dealer many times to have things checked with wheels and steering.
Dt: consumer took vehicle to dealer for service. Dealer done a safety check on vehicle and told consumer that front brake pads were 30 percent left, and front rotors below specs. Consumer declined to have front brake job done because dealer wanted about $300 to do work. He could do it for much less. Consumer's concern was that the rotors should not be worn out and needed to be replaced with 30 percent pads left and only 46412 miles on vehicle. Consumer always took vehicle to dealer for service, and this is was done regularly. Brakes were noticed by dealer on July 14, 2005. Dealer was Saturn of houston north west 290, in houston, texas.
The rear brakes slide off the wheel cylinder causing the brake peddle to go to the floor. If you look at the Saturn 2000 ls1 the wheel cylinders has a flat surface which the brakes set on and after driving for a period of time the brakes slip off the wheel cylinder which then it goes to the floor. On the Saturn 2000 sl1 the wheel cylinder has slots on the wheel cylinder which holds the brakes in place,they need to have the wheel cylinders replaced for ones with slots. It is totally unsafe to drive. It happends about every 6 months having to take apart and fix one day someone will get killed if it hasn't happen yet.
The brake rotors on my 2000 Saturn LS front end wore down below the minimum recommended thickness. Before my brake pads wore down to the point that the wear indicators warned that the pads were wearing out. Filed a complaint with Saturn corp, and the responses received from them did not seem to acknowledge the dangers of the defective rotors. If anyone would like to see my emails and Saturn's responses, I will forward them if you provide me their email address. They are too lengthy to attach here.
Problems with brake pad wear indicators not sounding. The front rotors wore down prematurely. The brake pad wear indicators failed to produce any audible indication that the pads had worn down and the rotors had been scored to the point where the rotors needed to be grinded. The consumer was told that the linings had formed hot spots on the rotors and they did not feel the rotors could not be cut without producing a pulsation in the pedal.
Right rear parking brake cable rusted through and snapped. Result: no parking brake (no hand brake). Local mechanics advised us that this is a very common problem with this model. It cannot be fixed. Saturn is no longer in business. GM no longer sells this cable. None of the aftermarket companies make a cable that fits this make/model/year.
Brake complaints in other LS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Saturn LS?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Saturn LS, 7% of the model year's 382 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Saturn LS brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Saturn LS, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Saturn LS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.