47 of the
274 complaints filed about the Saturn SW
are about the braking system —
17% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1994.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 SATURN SW. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED, BUT ALSO FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES AND BUMPS. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WAS INJURED AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ... *BF
NHTSA complaint #11119896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 1995 SATURN FROM PRECISION TUNE AUTO. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CLEANED, AND WIRING FIXED. NO MENTION OF SEAT PROBLEM. THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME FAILURE WITH TOP PART OF SEAT, TO FALL BACK FOR SOME REASON. FRONT SEAT. TROUBLE WITH CAR. BAD GAS MILEAGE, ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE VALVE TROUBLE, NO POWER ON HILL, GEAR SHIFT STICKS, CLUNK IN REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY, BLEEDING BRAKE LINE, BACK BRAKES. CVC CLICKING, AND SO ON. HIT ON AUG. 22, 2006. NOT SURE IF THIS CAUSED ALL THE ABOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10179143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE FAILURE. ON SR88 SOUTHBOUND TO LIBERTY RD. 19'98 SATURN SW2, 110000 MILES. CONDITION EXCELLENT. COMING TO LIBERTY RD AT ABOUT 55 MPH SLOWNG FOR RT TURN..BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ZERO BRAKING EFFECT. LUCKILY PULLED AHEAD TO A WIDE, SAFE SHOULDER. CALLED AAA FOR TOW,,MEANTWHILE PUMPED PEDAL FOR HALF HOUR WHEN GOT SLSIGHT RESPONSE FROM PEDAL WHICH FINALLY ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER GAVE FULL PEDAL. CANCELLED TOW. WENT INTO LODI, CA ABOUT 15 MORE MILES SAFELY. SATURN DEALER STATES THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM. MECHANIC STATES THAT IF THE PARKING BRAKE WERE ENGAGED EVEN SLIGHTLY THE REAR DRUMS WOULD OVERHEAT AND CAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID TO GET SO HOT THAT BUBBLES WOULD FORM IN IT THUS NO BRAKES. NO LEAKS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. MASTER CYLINDER OK .ALL BRAKE PISTONS OK.BRAKES ARE OK AS OF THIS DATE. (6-30-04). DATE OF INCIDENT WAS 6-20-04..TIME/DATE OF DEALERS REPORT: 21 JUNE 04 AT 0839PDT. SERVICE ORDER 76755 PRIMARY TECH. 004.
NHTSA complaint #10079071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE WHEEL SHAKES DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN CUT AT 22000 MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #8016367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A HOT SPOT ON THE BRAKE DISC WHICH CAUSES RUBBING, THE DEALER ALSO STATED THE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OD DRIVEABILITY OR MISHANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #565516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING ON BACK ROAD, BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. HAD TO USE ENGINE BRAKING AND HAND BRAKE TO SLOW OR STOP CAR. GAS STATION ATTENDANT REPORTED FULL BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. NORMAL BRAKING RESUMED SPONTANEOUSLY ON WAY HOME. DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS INABILITY TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #754821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRACKET HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY ONE RIVET. BRACKET BREAK LOOSE, STRESSING ABS WIRING. DEALER HAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES ON DRIVER'S SIDE, NOW PASSENGER SIDE BROKEN. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #752093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER STATES BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, AFTER INSPECTING VEHICLE IT WAS DETERMINED BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED DUE TO A NUT THAT VIBRATED OFF CAUSING BRAKE BOOSTER TO BREAK.
NHTSA complaint #561240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH OVERHEATING WHENEVER A/C WAS BEING USED. ALSO , THIS PROBLEM CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #873490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT WHEN SHE APPLIED BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS GUSHY AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP.
NHTSA complaint #871302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMERS BRAKES FAILED, THE PEDAL BOTTOMED OUT ABOUT ONE INCH ABOVE THE FLOOR, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED WITHIN THE FIRST MILE OF DRIVING,. THEN BRAKES FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. ASKING NHTSA TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #860222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT FLOOR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES, ALSO FRONT BRAKES GET VERY HOT, BUT BACK BRAKES ARE COOL.
NHTSA complaint #832898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MASTER CYLINDER IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO HIT FLOOR, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES, ALSO FRONT BRAKES GET VERY HOT, BUT BACK BRAKES ARE COOL.
NHTSA complaint #832898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES FAILED. AFTER STARTING AND PULLING OUT AT A SLOW SPEED, 4 MPH, THE BRAKES WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER STATES THAT IT'S A DESIGN FLAW AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.