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 1999 Saturn SL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In 2003 my daughter bought a 1999 Saturn with 47000 miles that had just been turned in from a lease from a dealer and it started smoking and using a quart of oil per 1,000at which time we contacted this agency and GM because the car was alaways dealer serviced and had not yet reached it's half life. Saturn told us that this was normal howver, the condition has only worsed over time and it's now using 1.5 qt's per 1000 miles and smoking worse. I bet the epa would like to know that. Additionally the rotor have failed twice becoming warped and the motor mount has failed along with a coolent temp sensor. Many people have reported these same problems and GM knows it. …
I purchased a 1999 Saturn sl2 w/ 23,000mi. At 60,000mi I began to feel a judder/vibration from the steering wheel. I took it to a Saturn dealer and was told the rotors we're warped and needed to be replaced. I went to a repair shop and had non-OEM brake rotors installed and after approxiametely 65,000mi, began to have the same problem. After leaving the car with the repair shop, they could not find anything wrong, but my rotors keep warping. The repair shop cut the rotors "slightly" and now at 70,000mi I still have the same problem. There is definietly wrong with the design of the brake system. I have been told that rotors do warp but they should last for approx. 70,000mi, and I should not be feeling the judder/vibration in my steering wheel.
Tl* the contact owns 1999 Saturn sl1. The contact was driving 45 MPH when the shift cable fractured and caused the vehicle to shift into neutral. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer made repairs to the vehicle. On a later date, the contact applied the emergency brake before exiting the vehicle. When he returned, the emergency brake had independently disengaged. The contact discovered that the emergency brake button was defective. The contact was able to order the necessary part from the dealer to make repairs himself. The contact was concerned that had he been parked on a hill, the vehicle could potentially have rolled away. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Oil was leaking from the engine going under the intake manifold. Consumer contacted the manufacturer to resolve this issue. However, manufacturer was only willing to pay $200.00 toward the cost of repairing the vehicle. Consumer was afraid that the defect May cause the vehicle to develop a blown head gasket.....vehicle experienced vibration in steering wheel when driving 50 MPH due to defective brake rotors. Also, replaced engine head gasket.
According to diagrammed police report and personal photos taken (I can provide copies of all, Saturn skidded approximately 80 ft due to left, front brake locking at 35 MPH. Vehicle started to turn to right just before impacting a suburban rearend. Saturn does not have ABS; however, at 35 MPH most vehicles will stop before 80 feet. Would like to know of other incidents.
When the consumer applied the brakes,the pedal went to the floor. The consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a car head on. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer seeked medical attention the next day. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. Please fill in additional information.
I bought a used Saturn on 8/23/08 from desert inn motors, too many problems after 3 months , new battery, brake bad, motor problem too expensive to repair, so I told them I'm not making anymore payments, they told me to bring the car back and they would replace the car, they repo my vehicle, shady business practices.
Hand brake release button and spring popped out after parking the vehicle. Had this happened while the vehicle was unattended and parked on a hill (as it typically is), this car could have caused serious bodily harm or structural damage.
The brakes with ABS (I have experience driving vehicles equipped with ABS braking) tend to provide extended stopping distances, especially at low speeds, where near loss of control of the vehicle is experienced. During braking, the brakes will feel as if they are only partially applied, so more pressure is placed on the brake peddle, eventually depressing it fully, without any further braking response. The car feels as if it is gliding on ice and simply slides to a stop in about two to three times the typical stopping distance. The car does not feel like it is going to stop at all and feels, instead, as if it is going to continue rolling. …
I wish the state had more stringent lemon laws. I will have had to bring my car in for repairs 5 times now, and I feel that is ridiculous for a car ive only had for 6 months. There are problems that exist now and have reoccurred or probably will. Saturn should definitely produce but better cars if they want people to buy them... I certainly won't buy another one or any GM product. I have not contacted Saturn directly because I know that they won't do anything about it as I had dealings with another Saturn. Furthermore, bringing the car to the dealer seems to be a hassle. I have to go out of my way to get my "lemon car" fixed repeatedly for minor problems which are really annoyances. No defect mentioned in summary.
Brake complaints in other SL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Saturn SL?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Saturn SL, 19% of the model year's 178 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saturn SL brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Saturn SL, though it has 1 recall 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 1999 Saturn SL brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 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.