70 of the
1,885 complaints filed about the Saturn LS
are about the braking system —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2000.
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. Replacement of just the rusted sections of my rear brake lines cost me approximately $3000, and most of that cost was driven by brake line inaccessibility. Brake lines are typically one of the first components installed during vehicle assembly and several layers of components are then placed over them. Given the difficulty of replacement they should be one of the most durable components in the vehicle and calculated to last an appropriate multiple of the vehicle’s service life that is economically feasible.
NHTSA complaint #11593168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT 30 MPH ON CITY STREET, ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. COASTED VEHICLE TO A SIDE STREET & STOPPED. HAD CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WE WERE QUOTED $1700 BILL TO REPAIR DUE TO BROKEN TIMING CHAIN. RESEARCHED RECALLS AND FOUND THAT NHTSA HAD A RECALL #07V519000 FOR 2001 SATURN L100. THIS SEEMS GROSSLY SHORTSIGHTED ON THE PART OF NHTSA, AS THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF DUPLICATE COMPLAINTS. THIS PROMPTED THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL TO ISSUE A DEFECT PETITION FOR 2000-2003 SATURN L SERIES WITH THE 2.2L ENGINE WITH THE NHTSA. IT IS SURPRISING HOW LITTLE EFFORT THE NHTSA HAS MADE IN LIGHT OF THE SCOPE OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11257582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN LS. WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO THE FUEL TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAKAGE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE TUBE, BUT WAS NOT COMPLETELY SURE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #11073072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN IN CONGESTED MORNING TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF. WITH ENGINE OFF, BRAKES HARD TO PUSH AND STEERING VERY DIFFICULT. VEHICLE COASTED TO STOP. ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. IT JUST TURNED OVER. SHOP SAID TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED AND ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10860136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY DAUGHTER [XXX] WAS THE PASSENGER AND [XXX] WAS DRIVER. THE KIDS WENT FOR DRIVE AND WERE FOUND THE NEXT EARLY MORNING AROUND 6AM. THE CAR WAS SO BURNED AND DESTROYED THE KIDS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED, AND ALL WHO WERE THERE QUESTIONED THE STRAIGHT TIRE TRACKS WITHOUT ANY CORRECTION OR OVER CORRECTION IN THE STEERING OF TIRE TRACKS, NO BRAKING IN THE COUNTY ROAD TRACKS, AND WITH FRACTURE AND DAMAGE OF THE SKULL AREA WE LATER WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! THE TRACKS WERE APPROX 150 YRDS LONG AND WENT AT AN ANGLE OF PERFECTION GRADUALLY POINTING TOWARDS A RAVINE THAT WOULD END BOTH OF THE KIDS LIVES. WE SENT A FORENSIC SPECIALIST TO LOOK AT CAR 2 MONTHS LATER AND WAS TOLD TO SAVE OUR MONEY ON FULL REPORT BECAUSE THE SPECIALIST SAID THE CAR WAS SO DESTROYED HE COULDN'T MAKE HEADS OR TAILS AS TO A CASE AGAINST GM. WITH NEW EVIDENCE ON GM THERE IS NO DOUBT TO ANYONE AT CRASH SITE AS TO WHAT HAPPENED! THE IGNITION SWITCH TESTIMONIALS WE HAVE SEEN AND READ BY SURVIVORS SPELL OUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE 01CAR SATURN THAT DAY THAT CLAIMED MY DAUGHTER [XXX] LIFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10606044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR DRIVES LIKE ITS COUGHING AND SOMETIMES IT CUTS OFF ON ME, AND MY BRAKE LIGHTS WORK SOMETIME, I HAVE HAD PEOPLE HONK TO TELL ME MY LIGHTS NOT WORKING THEN THEY WILL POP ON WHEN THEY GET READY.
NHTSA complaint #10588704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, MOST OF THESE ISSUES ARE SAFETY RELATED. THIS AUTO IS MY SOLE MEANS OF TRANSPORT. I HAVE A 2 MONTH OLD GRANDSON WHO LIVES WITH ME, AND I HAVE NO CLUE IF ANY OF THESE RECALL ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECTIFIED, ASIDE FROM THE "BRAKE LAMPS ADAPTER" WHICH HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE NO BRAKE LIGHTS EXCEPT FOR THE ROOFLINE ANTI-COLLISION LAMPS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET A HARD COPY OF RECALL ITEMS AS BEING FIXED, HAVE BEEN MET WITH NO RESPONSE. I SPOKE TO A GM REP, WHO TOLD ME THE ISSUES WERE OVER 10 YEARS AND TO FILE A SUIT IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT. I HAVE NO MONEY TO DO THE WORK ORDERED BY THE FED, VIA NHTSA. THE TAILLAMPS ARE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR (AS THE INSERT WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE) THE AIRBAGS, HAVE EITHER TWO TIMES THE "GENERANT" OR NO GENERANT AT ALL. I REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IGNITION COIL, OUT OF POCKET $165.00. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW GM CAN BE ALLOWED TO SKIRT/IGNORE RECALL ISSUES, AND THIS ONGOING BS, IS TAKING AWAY TIME THAT COULD BE BETTER SPENT. GOD HELP SOMEONE AT GM, IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY GRANDSON IS IN ANY WAY HURT, AS A RESULT OF GM'S "[XXX]" ATTITUDE. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN (USARMY 101ST ABN DVN) AND MY PATIENCE IS FAST WANING! I WRITE TO YOU IN HOPES OF GETTING THESE ISSUES RESOLVED, OR AM I WASTING MY TIME, AS I'M BEGINNING TO BELIEVE. A WRITTEN RESPONSE WOULD BE OF SOME COMFORT, AS I'LL KNOW THAT SOMEONE BOTHERED TO READ MY RUNNING DIATRIBE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 9/25/2014
NHTSA complaint #10579159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2ND OWNER OF VEHICLE, TAIL LAMPS HAD OVER HEATING ISSUE, NHTSA ISSUED RECALL ON 2 JUNE 2005, SATURN REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, SAYING AUTO IS TO OLD. DATE FOR FIXING ISSUE IS 10 YEARS FROM DATE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED. WAS TOLD BY A SATURN "CUSTOMER CARE REP." THAT ADAPTERS WERE INSTALLED IN FEB 2009. AUTO WASN'T REGISTERED IN 2009, AND NO ADAPTERS HAVE EVER BEEN INSTALLED. I AM A DISABLED VIETNAM VETERAN LIVING ON A VERY MEAGER MONTHLY INCOME AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THESE LAMPS. I AM DRIVING THIS AUTO WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ASIDE FROM ANTI-COLLISION LAMP AT TOP OF REAR WINDSHIELD. I HOPE THIS LETTER HAS MORE IMPACT THAN I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, AS OF TODAY. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10563367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SATURN L100. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS ENGINE POWER BEGAN TO REDUCE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER, SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKES, FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #10482888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10481318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10436900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10368276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN NOVEMBER OF 2009, THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 SATURN 200L SUDDENLY GAVE OUT. THEY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER PUMPING THEM SEVERAL TIMES, THEY CAME UP A LITTLE. I THOUGHT THE BRAKES NEEDED CHANGING, SO I HAD THAT DONE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. I GO TO STOP AND SUDDENLY THERE ARE NO BRAKES. THEY ALWAYS WORK OK AFTER SEVERAL PUMPS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND I SEE ON MYCARSTATS.COM THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10347883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ON THE SATURN 2000 LS. I HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH THIS CAR FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS, EXCEPT NOW THIS PROBLEM HAS COME UP AND IT CONTINUES, I BELIEVE NOT BY WEAR AND TEAR, BUT MY FAULTY DESIGN. WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT A BRACKET ON THE REAR BRAKES COMES OFF THE GEAR AND NO LONGER ADJUSTS THE BRAKES AS YOU DRIVE. THE BRACKET HAS A SPRING PULLING DOWNWARD ON IT AND NOTHING ON THE END OF THAT BRACKET TO HOLD IT IN PLACE ON THE GEAR. THUS, EVERY 3-4 WEEKS NOW, MY FATHER MUST PULL THE TIRES OFF AND ADJUST THEM BY HAND. THE POINT OF THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKE SYSTEM IS THAT THEY DO JUST THAT: SELF-ADJUST. THEY SHOULD NOT BE GRADUALLY COMING OFF AND ENDANGERING THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THUS MY DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO JUST BRAKES FOR BRAKE REPAIRS (REPLACING SHOES, PADS, CALIPERS, ETC.) AND EVEN FOR THIS PROBLEM. ALL THEY CAN DO IS ADJUST IT A LITTLE TIGHTER THAN MY DAD CAN. THEY AGREE THAT THE SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES ARE A FAULTY DESIGN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE BRACKET ON THE GEAR SO THAT IT CAN DO ITS JOB OF ADJUSTING. THIS CANNOT JUST BE FROM WEAR AND TEAR ON MY CAR AND I KNOW OTHERS SHOULD BE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT TOO. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO PROTECT THE DRIVERS OF THESE SATURN 2000 LS CARS AND THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. THIS PAST FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009, I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANY BRAKES TO GET HOME ON IN WET, CURVY MOUNTAIN ROADS OF NORTH GEORGIA. THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT SO THAT OTHERS CAN GET THIS FIXED. TO FIX IT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING TO HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE GEAR SO THAT THE SPRING DOES NOT PULL IT DOWN OFF THE GEAR AND THE BRAKES CAN CONTINUE TO SELF-ADJUST!
NHTSA complaint #10279167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1) EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: THE CAR WAS BOUGHT WITH 15K AND NOW HAS 56K. REGULAR MAINTENANCE. NOTHING TO SIGNAL A PROBLEM. 2) THE FAILURE: DRIVING 55-60 MPH BREAK PETAL PRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS. WE DROVE TO A NEAR BY MECHANIC WHICH WASN'T OPEN. TURNED THE CAR OFF, STILL NOT BREAKS. DROVE 15 MILES BACK TO TOWN USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. PULLED THE CAR UP TO A MECHANIC. TURNED CAR OFF. WHEN RESTARTED, BRAKES WORKED FINE. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKE PADS, NOTHING THAT WOULD LEAD HIM TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A PROBLEM. TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A SATURN DEALERSHIP. 3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: SATURN SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED EVERYTHING AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE BREAK SYSTEM. THEY SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY BECAUSE WE DID NOT CHANGE THE FLUIDS AT 42K. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US ANYTHING IN WRITING SAYING THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FAIL AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10236140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH., THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND, FAILED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL MANY TIMES, THE BRAKES RESPONDED AND SLOWED THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10163971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2001 SATURN L200 4 CYLINDER SEDAN. IT HAS JUST OVER 70K MILES ON IT. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON OR BEFORE SCHEDULE. ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE LIGHTS STARTED DOING WEIRD THINGS. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THAT ISSUE WAS RESOLVED (A RECALL). I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES 3 TIMES. ON 3/30/06 I WAS IN RUSH HOUR ON A BUSY HIGHWAY PASSING A CAR IN THE LEFT LANE. MY CAR JUST DIED (NO LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING THE ENGINE STOPPED, JUST NO POWER). THANK GOD I GOT TO THE RIGHT LAND. I SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR AND FINALLY GOT THE CAR TOWED. THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE. I HAVE SPEND $200 JUST TO FIND THAT OUT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT OTHER DAMAGE HAS RESULTED. SATURN IS ACTING IGNORANT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAY THEY CANNOT TELL ME ANYTHING UNLESS I HAVE IT AT A SATURN DEALERSHIP. (ANOTHER TOW CHARGE AND DIAGNOSTICS CHARGE). I SAW THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER AND WANTED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE, AFTER THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THAT SATURN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10154517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.