Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Not long after we purchased the vehicle, the brakes made noise and caused the steering wheel to vibrate upon braking. Brought in the vehicle for service and they said the rotors were warped, they cut them down. Since then the brakes have made noises and the rear wheels lockup upon initial driving daily. Each time the vehicle was brought in for regular oil changes, we complained about the noises, at 10.209 miles &16,284 miles, but they always said nothing was wrong. Now the brakes are still making noises when you first start the vehicle. Also, now the steering wheel vibrates upon braking, more at higher speeds, causing harder braking at times when quick braking is needed. Upon slow rolling stops, like coming to a light, the car surges, like the brakes are grabbing at certain points then releasing. …
I too have had repeated brake problems with my sl1. The first time Saturn replaced them because at 25,000 miles, they should not be bad. Then at 45,000 miles it happened again! The service man told me it was because I was "riding" the brake. Of course it was my fault - not! I argued with him, but lost. Had to pay almost $400 dollars for a brake job that was already replaced and should have been under warranty. I asked him if I was going to be changing the rotors again in 30,000 miles, he said no. It should last till 50,000 miles. Guess what?!? 25,000 miles later, it is having the same problems. Not only that, I now have a cracked/blown head gasket to which after many inquiries, seems to happen alot in the sl1 models. We'll see what happens, but needless to say I will not be investing in "a different kind of car company" anymore.
Vehicle experiencing noise in the front end. Dealer could not find anything wrong and advised consumer that there is no adjustment on front brakes and the rear brakes adjust themselves. However consumer found out that the rear brakes do not adjust themselves and have to be adjusted manually. This happened 3 times. Vehicle also losing brake pedal going 2/3 of the way to floor. Dealer found left front wheel rotor was worned. Consumer replaced brake pads and rotors. The calipers were sticking and the dealer was not willing to replace it.
1998 Saturn 41,635 miles- bakes pulse and shakey steering- machine rotors new pads 48,343 miles-shakey steering-balance wheels replace suspected bad tire. 64,057 miles-shakey steering-machine rotors, pads okay for now. There is something definitely wrong with the brakes and or the rotors. I have owned many vehicles and never had rotor problems. While at the repair shop I overheard two phone calls from customers with similar complaints.
I parked my car, a 5-speed manual, and the parking brake release button popped out, and is now broken so I cannot use the parking brake at all. Not safe considering my car is a manual. I am attempting to locate a replacement button, but have not had much luck so far.
The consumer state while driving at 40 MPH and applying the brake's, the brake's went straight to the floorboard and the consumer had to pump the brake's and the vehicle slow down and came to a stop and the consumer state this is the second time the brake's has fail.
While pulling into a parking space, stepped on the brakes, which failed. Car struck the crub and a railing causing the airbags to deploy and the seatbelts to lock very tight. Two days prior to purchasing the brakes were squeaking.
Consumer had brakes resurfaced three times. Dealer was saying that consumer was applying brakes too hard. Brakes weren't warranty. Dealer replaced it as a courtesy to the consumer, and not under warranty.
Rotors warped and were replaced 9 within 9 months after buying vehicle brand new, replacement part was defective and replaced one month later, in February of 2001, rotors were warped and replaced again.
Please take note that the state and zip code incorect , I had to improvise as I could not filled out this questionaire and I writing from Canada. My postal code in Canada is l0l 2p0. On 21 nov 1998 , during the 35000 km(22000 miles) scheduled maintenance I reported to the dealership that the front brakes of my Saturn were pulsating when braking (my odometer reading was 22303 miles(35686 km) . During the servicing the dealership discovered that both front rotors (discs) were warp and as corrective actions covered under warranty, the fronts brake pads were sanded, both front rotors were machined and both front calipers were serviced. Base on our driving habits (85 % hwy driving) and considering the last 5 vehicles I drove I find this situation rather abnormal on a brand new car. …
Brake complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Saturn SL, 12% of the model year's 168 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Saturn SL brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Saturn SL. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 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.