NHTSA — Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
2 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Saturn SL brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Saturn SL Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 071997

SL 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a new 1997 Saturn, paid cash and 2 months after purchase, I had brake problems. Put brakes on, could not stop the car (6/7/97). Saturn did nothing regarding this. They said I was not use to the brakes. Tapped the back of a van. 2.) had grand child in car, backing into garage brakes did not hold again. Hit sand bags husband had in garage that stopped car. Some nut came from another state, sisn't drive even 2 miles and saidm there was nothing wrong with the brakes!!!!! I worked in a vocational high school (C.V.S.) in Chicago, il, they told me that the inspection was not right. Wrote to everbody, not help from nobody!!!!! I would never recommend a Saturn to anyone!!!they are lemons!!!I put a sign in my car saying don't buy a Saturn, you'll get a lemon like mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Val0paraiso, IN, USA

problem #5

Jan 162000

SL

  • miles
ABS brakes failed resulting in multiple accidents, no deployment of both air bags during collision, passenger seat collapsed during impact injuries due to failures.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #4

Oct 151997

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ongoing probem with transmission not changing gears properly on any speed, and slow responding from a stop position/take off, hesitation. Also, brake pedal would intermittently go to the floor before vehicle stopped. Dealer notified on three occasions, and was informed that nothing could be found consumer is concerned that this vehicle is unsafe to operate, and will be trading it in within a few mont asking NHTSA to look into this matter before passing it on.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 211999

SL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving vehicle w/emergency brakes on of had no knowledge. Was coming off freeway & was applying brakes, vehicle failed to slow down or stop. Started to suddenly accelerate. Turned vehicle off. Had it towed to dealer & found back brakes burnt out. Orginial brakes checked & was not burnt out. Owner has brake parts.

- Montrose, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 091999

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
Defective fan belt tensioner assembly failed, causing a loss of power steering and ABS while making U-turn.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #1

Feb 191998

SL

  • miles
Complete braking system failure, creating unstable control of vehicle due to radical vibrations through steering system. Dealer solution and manufacturer's "band-aid" solution - changing rotors and brake pads with inferior parts that continue to fail (4 times front, 2 times rear; most recent - front rotors cut). Manufacturer's explanation of failure on 2 occasions: Car is not suitable for northeast, car is used for long trips too often (84 mile round-trip commute), and driver using brakes too much, causing the failure in manufacturer's equipment. Summary: Fear of losing control of vehicle due to soft braking system/no brakes, inability to maintain control of vehicle due to radical pulsation in steering system while trying to brake, & financial burden once brakes are out of warranty.

- Easton, PA, USA

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