Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The brake pedal travelled to the floor board. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer and had the dealer inspect the vehicle. The service manager stated after the vehicle was evaluated they could not find any defects in the brakes. However, they did have to add fluid to the brakes. Later they contacted the owners spouse and said the vehicles brake response was normal for this type vehicle. Provide further details.
The brakes on my 2002 sl1 Saturn had to be replaced at 15,000 mi; now, at 30,000 mi, the Saturn dealership is telling me they need to be replaced again. I previously had a 1991 Saturn sl1, for 11 years and with more than 100,000 mi, and did not have any problems with the brakes, so it's not my style of driving - it's apparently the equipment on the car itself (and the replacement parts as well.)
Driving down a two house dead end street traveling about 20 miles per hour, when the drivers side rear wheel cilinder broke and all ability to stop was lost. After replacing the wheel cilinder, it was also realized that the passenger side brake line to the rear brake was missing several washers and then caused the brake line to leak. Two weeks later the master cilinder for the brakes also failed all before I ever hadto replace any of the brake pads or shoes.
While accelerating from a light up to ~20mph there was the smell of brake fluid/rubber burning. When traffic slowed again brakes had no response even when press all the way to the floor. Car was stopped in time to avoid accident by application of emergency brake and placing the car in neutral. Pumping the brakes failed to regain pressure though after driving to the side of the road with ebrake and restarting car a hard pump of the brakes had some resistance. Further cautious driving and pressure rebuilt. After inspection at the shop no explanation for the event could be found.
I was traveling on the freeway at 75 MPH (speed limit.) the truck in front of me hit the brakes. I applied my brakes as I should have had enough distance to slow down enough. My brakes locked-up and I slid into the pick-up truck in front of me at about 65 MPH. The seat belts worked, but the air bags did not deploy. My car was totaled. I was injured and taken by ambulance to the hospital.
There is no issue with my brake light bulb it is not burnt out. All the fuses have been checked over by qualified salesperson who had shown me that my that my brake light was still working, and yet my brake light does not work. I am afraid of driving at night, and worry constantly that I will be stopped during the day, as I don't have any explanation as to why this one driver's side brake light does not work. I read somewhere on a Saturn forum that there had been a recall over this issue, but I am unable to locate.
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.
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles do not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." these vehicles were produced with brake pipe attachment nuts that May not be tightened to specifications.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brake pipe nuts for leakage, verify they are tightened to specifications, and replace the brake pipes if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SL years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (56), 1996 (44), 1999 (34), 1997 (24) and 1998 (20) model years. Brake complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Saturn SL brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-231 (foundation components, Aug 24, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saturn SL brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components (67 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (48).
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.