80 of the
481 complaints about the 1995 Saturn SL are about the
braking system — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
12,300 miles.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10227543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,300 milesHonolulu, HICrash
PARKING BRAKE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10227543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesChandler, AZ
PARKING BRAKE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10187980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Billingsley, ALCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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. AFTER THE IMPACT LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS AND BRUISES BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK WHEN HITTING THE BRAKES. WAS ABOUT 24 INCHES AWAY FROM STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE BACK BUMPER ON THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS ALL THE ORIGINAL PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10139509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10043135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
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.
NHTSA complaint #763575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #8012466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Morris, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #856000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Morris, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN BRAKE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #856000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Madison, IACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #898032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Morris, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE PADS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #856000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canton, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE WEAR . THE DELAER HAS CHANGED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES FIVE TIMES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #848952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plain, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN NO BRAKING ABILITY. OCCUPANT HAD TO APPLIED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE, AND PUT IT IN "PARK" POSITION IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #843623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meade, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 40 MPH, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL EMERGENCY BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #843097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apex, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
BRAKE PADS FAILED CAUSING THEN TO MAKE NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #535577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS FAILED
NHTSA complaint #542078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
BRAKE ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS FAILED
NHTSA complaint #542078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE ROTORS, DRUMS, PADS FAILED
NHTSA complaint #542078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #542078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL AFTER REPLACEMENT OF SEVERAL COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #542078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #541383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #541383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES, PADS, ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #541383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Olms, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #541383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES MAKE RUBBING NOISE/PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #535156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Folsom, CA
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE DID NOT FULLY DISENGAGE WHEN HANDLE WAS RELEASED, CAUSING OVERHEATING OF BRAKING SYSTEM LEADING TO BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #538720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holtsville, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Creek, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL PULSATES & STEERING WHEEL MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE. DEALER REPLACED RUSTED FRONT ROTORS & BINDING PADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #822784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.