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 1995 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1 incident and 1 crash. Left emergency brake on by accident when driving and went to apply brake to slow down, but had no brakes. Could not stop..no accident first time it happened. But 2nd time caused multiple car accident w/an injury. After I stopped driving, the brakes began working again. I had my brakes checked but they did not need replaced.
Dt: 1995 Saturn sl1 4 door. Consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident on September 29, 2005 . Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. The consumer took pictures . However, had not contacted dealership or manufacturer because he thought vehicle was too old, and dealership information was unknown. The consumer was traveling 30-35 MPH, hit the brakes, and they did not stop the vehicle. The vehicle has two front airbags . Consumer's vehicle was hit on front and driver side of vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. The consumer was the only person in the vehicle and was wearing seat belts. The airbag light was not on prior to the crash. A police report was taken. The police report did not state anything about the airbags. The consumer gave the repair invoice to insurance company, but could get a copy. The road that consumer was traveling on was clear. …
While driving in the rain applied the brakes and the vehicle would not stop which caused the sl1 to hit another vehicle. The driver noticed that in wet weather the vehicle slides and the brakes will not catch. The owner states that since she had purchased this vehicle she has been having brake problems. The dealer said that they could not find any problem in the brakes. The owner said that the brakes work when the road is not wet, but once the road is wet the brakes do not want to work, vehicle will not stop.
The cruise control would not disengage when brake was applied and the vehicle kept accelerating.tt consumer was traveling wst and the cruise control was set, after first sign indicating consumer's exit turned off cruise control at steering colum, vehicle continued to move at same speed, attempted to disengage by applying the brakes, but nothing happened, the vehicle continued at full speed.
Emergency brake button broke; button ejected when using parking brake, preventing e-brake from being used. Button and spring assembly came out, with button having two small plastic chips that were broken, preventing reassembly. This effectively prevented the vehicle's standard emergency equipment (parking brake) from being used. No replacement button was available.
While applying brakes for approaching stop light pedal went to the floor and caused vehicle to rear end vehicle in front. Consumer's vehicle at dealer shop, and dealer was unable to locate cause. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
When brakes were applied at 35 MPH pedal went to the floor, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in a rear end collision. Manufacturer was notified. Feel free to provide any further infromation.
Cracks in both front disc brake rotors "on the inner pad contact surface" were discovered by the mechanic while having my car serviced at his station. My brakes were not in disrepair and as far as I can see these cracks developed over "normal" use. I do have to point out that my examination of these rotors show that the inner brake pad disc rotor area has a much smaller surface area than the outer brake pad rotor surface area (which had no cracks) and also the inner rotor pad surface area is also less able to effectively and safely handle the heat and stress generated by braking action. In my opinion, the inner pad rotor area on my Saturn front disc brakes is poorly designed and very prone to cracking and indeed a safety hazard. Since these cracks were in "both" my front brake rotors, I would not be a bit surprised if there were many more out there with these same cracks.
Brakes pulsate when stopping and also causing steering wheel to shake. Brakes caused car not to stop on time when traveling about 35mph. I had just recently taken the car to a Saturn dealership and the brakes were inspected and I was not advised anything about the brakes. Then just recently, when I noticed my car was experiencing extended stopping I took the car to a dealer besides Saturn; I was told that wheel cylinders were leaking and rotors were warped and calipers had to be replaced. Basically, the entire braking system was gone. This has been a problem from day one with this car. In looking at past receipts from previous owner, this same problem was complained about and supposedly fixed at the same Saturn dealership. The brakes have also been repaired on numerous occasions at other auto mechanic dealers.
While drivng, the vehicle just stopped completely in the middle of traffic. Vehicle was towed to a shop, where the alternator and battery were replaced. Owner still experienced problems with vehicle. When taken to the dealer, the alternator was replaced again. The alternator has been replaced (3) times within a (2) year period.
Brake complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1995 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the brakes of the 1995 Saturn SL, 16% of the model year's 355 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Saturn SL brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1995 Saturn SL, though it has 3 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 1995 Saturn SL brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 205,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries 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.